p5-14 News June09:p5-14 News June09 19/05/2009 12:23 Page 6
INDUSTRY NEWS
Organic cotton retailers say they are upbeat about the future
Anvil has been ranked as the sixth
largest organic cotton using brand in
the world, according to the Organic
Cotton Market Report 2007-2008
released by the non-profit
organisation Organic Exchange.
Global retail sales of organic cotton
apparel and home textile products
reached an estimated $3.2 billion in
2008, a 63 per cent increase on 2007,
says the report, which named the top
10 global cotton using brands and
retailers as: Wal-Mart (USA), C&A
(Belgium), Nike (USA), H&M (Sweden),
Zara (Spain), Anvil (USA), Coop
Switzerland, Pottery Barn (USA),
Greensource (USA), and Hess Natur
(Germany).
Despite a gloomy global retail
outlook, most brands and retailers
selling organic cotton products remain
committed to their sustainability plans
and are upbeat about market growth increasing their use of organic cotton (from 57,932 MT (265,517 bales) farmers from taking this kind of risk.
with plans to expand their product and other organic fibres such as wool, produced in 2006/07). “Brands may want to explore
lines 24 and 33 linen, and silk,” said LaRhea Pepper, During 2008, certified organic cotton opportunities for expanding their
per cent in 2009 and 2010, Organic Exchange senior director. fibre supplies grew by 95 per cent, organic programs with their business
respectively, which will result in an The amount of organic cotton farmers significantly higher than annual partners,” she continued, “as for the
estimated $4 billion market in 2009 grew worldwide in 2007/08 increased growth rates of 45 per cent in 2006 first time in many years, supplies of
and a $5.3 billion market in 2010. 152 per cent, according to OE’s and 53 per cent in 2007. organic fibre, yarns, and fabrics are
“It is a sign of the times that despite Organic Cotton Farm and Fibre Report “Farmers who planted on speculation more available than in previous
ominous financial forecasts, brands 2008, organic cotton production or expanded without market partners years.”
and retailers are standing fast to their increased to 145,872 metric tons (MT) may have shifted the market into a
•
See next month’s special focus
commitment to making their product (668,581 bales) grown on 161,000 state of oversupply in 2009,” says feature on organic and Fairtrade
lines more sustainable by ever hectares in 22 countries worldwide Pepper, who strongly discourages clothing.
Pressure group forecasts
Cool socks for a hot planet!
further growth in textiles A new range of socks made from cooler than wool or cotton and
sustainable and renewable bamboo three times more absorbent than
According to UK pressure group the Soil Association, the value of trade in has been launched by performance cotton. It is also more durable than
organic textiles and apparel could rise to £280 million in 2012 from sales socks manufacturer Bridgedale. cotton.”
of £100 million in 2008. Several years of research and Bridgedale specializes in socks,
The organisation estimates that UK sales of clothing made from organic development have gone into with nearly 100 years of knitting
cotton reached between £85 million to £90 million last year, around 40 creating the Bamboo Series, which experience behind every pair, which
per cent up on 2007. offer comfort and durability for are respected for their technical
This follows the announcement at the start of April that organic cotton everyday use, sport and travel. construction, durability and
goods sales in the US had risen by 63%. Four styles include the Bamboo comfort.
The Soil Association said: “When sales of other organic fibres such as Crew and the low, ankle-height Based in Newtownards, Northern
wool and linen are taken into account, the market adds up to £100 Bamboo Lo in both men’s and Ireland, Bridgedale manufactures in
million – a 25% increase on 2007.” women’s-specific fits and colours. a community that once supplied
On the High Street, lower-mid-market young women’s fashion specialist The new socks blend naturally anti- socks to the British soldiers of the
retailer New Look sold more organic fibre garments in 2008 than Marks & microbial and breathable bamboo First World War. Today’s line of
Spencer (2.3 million compared to 1.1 million). yarn with Coolmax, a moisture- technically advanced socks for
This represents a 50% increase for New Look compared to 2007. The wicking yarn which helps keep feet skiing, outdoor, sport and every day
chain now devotes 4.2% of its womenswear ranges to clothing made dry. According to Bridgedale, use are created by experienced
from organic cotton; the corresponding per centage for 2007 was 3%. bamboo has many beneficial craftsmen that carry on a tradition
The Soil Association’s report quotes New Look’s buyer for organic attributes as a textile. of innovation, including the
clothing, Anna Greig: “I believe that as more people offer organic cotton, “It has a soft, silky feel against the development of WoolFusion yarn
the need from customers to understand the certification involved will skin due to its smooth and round technology, the first women's
become greater. There will be a growing need for responsible retailers to fibre structure, but additionally, it is outdoor socks, and sculpted
offer organic cotton certified by a reputable organisation such as the Soil naturally anti-microbial, odour- cushioning.
Association.” fighting and hypoallergenic,” a For more information contact UK
The report said that in predicting substantial growth in sales of organic spokesperson said. distributors Burton McCall,
clothing by 2012, it was taking into account that the current economic “Bamboo is a very absorbent, telephone 0116 234 4644; email
downturn was likely to slow growth down in the short term. highly breathable fibre that doesn’t info@burton-mccall.co.uk;
stick to the skin and is two degrees www.burton-mccall.co.uk
| 6 | June 2009 www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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