ANDOVER, Mass. — November 9, 2020 — Polartec announced the winners of its 2020 Polartec Apex Design Awards, an annual design award program celebrating the finest products made from Polartec fabric technologies. The winning products were selected based on skilled and creative uses of Polartec.

The winners are:

66 North Sudureyri NeoShell Coat — cut from soft, stretchy, durable Polartec® NeoShell®, the most breathable waterproof fabric technology. The fabric was chosen because it provides full waterproof protection with outstanding breathability that prevents moisture build-up inside. The coat comes with two front pockets and a two-colored belt which can be used to cinch the waist or worn loose.

Burton women’s [ak] Baker Hi-Loft Pants — made from a hybrid construction of ultra soft and compressible Polartec High Loft® fleece, and stretchy, sweat-wicking, contouring Polartec Power Stretch® Pro™ fabric, this undergarment is designed for the coldest days. High Loft is ultra soft and full of stretch while keeping a low profile for a seriously warm, comfy fit during cold, stormy riding.

Griffin Reversible Bomber Jacket — made from soft, warm Polartec Thermal Pro® fleece with a sherpa aesthetic, this reversible bomber jacket features mesh front pockets and Woolrich Buffalo Check wool. The particular Thermal Pro fleece was selected for its richness in texture, warmth without weight, and reversibility.

Gulch Inceptor Insulated Vest — made from highly breathable, fast-drying and compressible Polartec Alpha® Direct active insulation, the Inceptor is a hunting vest designed to provide optimal thermoregulation, eliminating the need to shed or add layers during start-stop activity.

Indygena Pecora — made of Polartec Shearling fleece for its warmth and breathable comfort, providing efficiency and versatility in cold conditions, this is a pullover designed to be worn in any circumstances.

Karpos Miage Jacket — primarily made with 90g Polartec Alpha Direct active insulation, which Karpos has printed on — and Power Stretch Hardface fleece on the under arms, side panels and hem for improved fit — the Miage is designed to incorporate the best technology, research, fabrics, fit and performance for ski mountaineering.

K-Way Cloto Skirt/Atropo Pant/Claude Jacket/Andersen Pant/Hans Crew Neck — made of Polartec Thermal Pro fleece to transform classic garments with a technologically advanced, high performance fabric, the new K-Way R&D collection is technology meets haute couture in a limited edition of unique pieces, handcrafted in Italy.

October’s Very Own OVO Polartec Power Stretch Zip Hoodie/Pant/Balaclava — made of warm, comfortable Polartec Power Stretch Pro fleece with four-way stretch and abrasion resistance, these pieces can be paired together for a completely cozy suit, or worn separately for added temperature regulation as needed.

prAna men’s Tri Thermal Threads Overshirt — made of Polartec Thermal Pro, this overshirt uses the advanced fleece technology to deliver a healthy dose of warmth, without the weight. On the outside of the fabric, densely knitted yarn creates a classic heather sweater look, while inside a soft velour finish adds extra coziness.

Santini Official UCI Rainbow Casual Jacket — as official producer of UCI race-wear and merchandise, Santini chose to use next-generation Polartec Power Air™ fabric to create a premium fleece product that was both performance oriented and ecologically friendly. Power Air provides extraordinary warmth and comfort with recycled yarn which is knit in an award-winning construction that dramatically reduces the shedding of microfibers.

Snow Peak Flexible Insulated Cardigan/Pullover/Shirt/Pants — made with Polartec Alpha insulation for lightweight, breathable warmth, these are the most iconic Snow Peak apparel items. Taking advantage of the flexibility of Alpha, these minimal designs are designed for maximum comfort.

Supreme Polartec® Overalls — Supreme chose Polartec 200 Series fleece for its functionality, employing it in a classic overall silhouette. Resilient, lightweight and warm, Polartec classic fleece is the original technical fleece, trusted for nearly 40 years.

Xenith Under the Lights Polartec® Delta™ Short Sleeve — made with Polartec Delta™ cooling fabric — which uses a unique composition and texture to disperse perspiration, reduce cling and increase airflow for evaporative cooling — this is an ultimate top for grueling workouts where sweat is inevitable and there is no room for distractions.

Every winner is an embodiment of Polartec fabric innovation and design inspiration, celebrating the science of fabric and the art of product design. The winners are being recognized with a Malden trophy and contribution of funds to promote their winning designs.

Posted November 9, 2020

Source: Polartec

WASHINGTON — November 9, 2020 — Imports likely saw their busiest “peak season” on record this summer and fall as retailers replenished inventories and stocked up for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Peak season is the Superbowl of the supply chain world each year as retailers make sure they have enough merchandise on hand to satisfy demand during the holidays, and this is the busiest we’ve ever seen,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Part of this surge was fueled by restocking after retail sales rebounded this summer and part could be making sure there aren’t shortages if we see panic buying again. The economic challenges of the pandemic aren’t over yet, but this clearly shows how an industry that has been under stress is fighting back in a positive way. Retailers don’t import merchandise they don’t think they can sell, so this is a good sign for the holiday season.”

“As we near the end of a difficult year in terms of health, trade and politics, we have witnessed record-breaking statistics that have been virtually unpredictable,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “Imports hit all-time highs this summer and online shopping did the same. Whether similar patterns will continue in the coming months will be influenced to a large extent by the coronavirus pandemic and whether it will be brought under control by the arrival of expected vaccines next year.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled an estimated 8.1 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units from July through October, the peak shipping season when retailers rush to bring in merchandise for the winter holidays each year. While subject to revision once October numbers become final, that would be an increase of 6.1 percent over last year and would beat the previous record of 7.7 million TEU set in 2018.

The peak season record includes a record 2.11 million TEU imported in September, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was a 12.5 per year-over-year increase and 0.1 percent higher than August’s previous record of 2.1 million TEU for the largest number of containers imported in a single month since NRF began tracking imports in 2002.

October imports were estimated at 2 million TEU, up 6.5 percent year-over-year and the fourth-highest month on record. With most holiday merchandise already in the country, November is forecast at 1.7 million TEU, up 0.2 percent year-over-year, and December is forecast at 1.58 million TEU, down 8.2 percent from last year.

Despite the new monthly records, 2020 is expected to total 20.9 million TEU, a drop of 3.4 percent from last year and the lowest annual total since 20.5 million TEU in 2017. The first half of 2020 totaled 9.5 million TEU, down 10.1 percent from last year.

January 2021 is forecast at 1.75 million TEU, down 3.7 percent from January 2020; February at 1.52 million TEU, up 0.9 percent year-over-year, and March at 1.59 million TEU, up 15.7 percent from March 2020 – the month the pandemic first fully hit the United States while factories in China remained closed by the pandemic there.

NRF is awaiting additional economic data before releasing its annual holiday spending forecast. But consumers surveyed for NRF by Prosper Insights & Analytics plan to spend an average $997.79, down $50 from 2019 as they focus on gifts rather than purchases for themselves. NRF is urging consumers to shop safe and shop early to avoid overcrowding stores and to take advantage of early holiday discounts.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker.

Posted November 9, 2020

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

WASHINGTON — November 11, 2020 — On behalf of the U.S. fashion industry, we applaud the historic number of Americans who voted in the 2020 election. Many brands and retailers supported get-out-the-vote initiatives, and gave our employees time off to vote. We are pleased that the turnout on November 3rd reflects our vibrant American democracy.

USFIA congratulates President-elect Joe Biden on his election as the 46th President of the United States. We also congratulate Kamala Harris on her glass-ceiling-shattering election as the first woman, Black woman and Indian-American to be the Vice President-elect. We look forward to working with the incoming Biden Administration and the Congress to find solutions to the challenges before us — especially solutions to stop COVID-19 and to support the economy. We believe that a fresh approach to trade policy and to American participation in global alliances will support the recovery today and for the future.

Posted November 9, 2020

Source: The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA)

STOCKHOLM — November 5, 2020 — This season H&M introduces pieces that bring the smart solution to staying warm with great personal style. Heat Up Tech is a collection of men’s layering pieces using THERMOLITE®, a new lightweight technology for warmth without the bulk. It’s about the perfect pile and fleece designs for an urban street style look, as well as thermals as a base layer all season long. Heat Up Tech with Thermolite will drop at H&M stores worldwide, as well as at hm.com, on November 12.

“Innovation is at the heart of what we do with menswear at H&M. Heat Up Tech with Thermolite uses new technology for true functionality as well as that essential utilitarian look. These pieces will become the foundation of your cold weather wardrobe, whatever your personal style,” said Ross Lydon, head of Menswear Design at H&M

This season’s layered look is more than just about style: it’s also about the smartest ways to keep warm whatever the day brings. H&M has created Heat Up Tech with Thermolite to introduce the latest heat-retaining technologies to the everyday wardrobe.

Thermolite uses hollow fibers that trap warm air, creating an insulating layer. Those hollow fibers are crucial, resulting in a lightweight fabric that’s cuts out all the bulk. For H&M’s design team, it’s a chance to make the sharpest functional pieces that will become the foundation layer of the winter look.

Pile is a key texture for the season, like the pile zip-up vest in either off-white or olive green with a nylon chest pocket and neck trim. It’s a versatile piece that adds contrast and warmth to winter layering. There’s also a pile zip-up jacket, as well as a pile half-zip jacket, all with a turtleneck to help keep out the cold.

Fleece jackets and half-zip sweaters bring streamlined warmth and protection, while tapered leg joggers in cotton and Thermolite have toggles at the ankle to further keep in the warmth. Meanwhile thermal crewneck T-shirts, both long and short sleeve, and long johns are the essential base layer pieces at the core of the winter wardrobe.

Heat Up Tech will drop at H&M stores worldwide, as well as at hm.com, on November 12.

Posted November 6, 2020

Source: H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB