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Internetgazette

Styles Fashion

Articles Of Interest

Currency Reform Bill 
Page 1

Bolivia Protests Used Clothing Imports
Page 1

Swine Flu Hurts Mexico's Textile Industry
Page 1

International Lingerie Show 
 Page 2

Intimate Graphics
Page 2

 Buyers' Best Sellers
Page 2

McPete Sez
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Page 2

International Lingerie Show Continued
Page 3

Business & Technology
Page 3

Ask Kevin
Page 3

Ask Andy
Page 3

International Lingerie Show Continued
Page 4

McAdams Urges Women 
to Purchase Bamboo Lingerie 
Page 4

International Lingerie Show Continued
Page 5

The Buzz
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  May 15, 2009                                           Issue #241
     The McPete Sez Lingerie Newsletter & Women's Wear Journal           

20/24
                   
                              Intimate Apparel
Sleepwear-Daywear-Foundations-Loungewear-Hosiery-
           Lingerie-Swimwear-Dancewear-Clubwear 
                              Ready-to-Wear
                              
        
Currency Reform Bill
A group of US legislators has introduced a new bill that would use US countervailing duty and anti-dumping law to hit back at prolonged currency manipulation.
The Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act of 2009 (CRFTA) is aimed at countries like China, which allegedly aligns its currency to the US dollar at a below market rate so that its goods are less expensive on international markets. 
The move has been welcomed by the Fair Currency Coalition, an alliance of industry, agriculture, and worker organizations.
FCC executive director Charles H Blum said: "With respect to China, the FCC estimates that the yuan remains undervalued by about 30% as a result of the Chinese government's manipulation of its currency. 
"Products from China are frequently priced at less than the cost of the materials contained in the products. This is illegal government subsidization, pure and simple."
The US government, however, is not so sure.
Just last month the US Treasury refrained from accusing China of illegally manipulating its currency in its Semi-Annual Report to Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies, although it conceded that the yuan is "undervalued."

              
A model presents a red silk velvet Tiny Dancer corset & matching Morticia skirt by Corset Creations at the International Lingerie Fashion Show at the
          Rio Hotel in Las Vegas April 20.  
               Photo by Paul Sobel

Bolivia Protests Used Clothing
                 Imports
Thousands of textile workers in Bolivia are protesting against the sale of used clothing imported from the US.
According to local reports, 5,000 workers marched to support a ban on the garments currently thwarted by defiant Bolivian street vendors who rely on them to survive.
The country's Government is reportedly cracking down on the import of used US merchandise, often dated sportswear, in a bid to reinvigorate local manufacturing and clothing exports.


16/24  
M&S Cuts Bra Surcharge
Retailer Marks & Spencer has made an embarrassing climb-down on its decision to charge a higher price for its bigger bras - taking out full page adverts in several British newspapers admitting "We boobed". 
Faced with a mounting consumer backlash, and the unwelcome prospect of campaigners against the surcharge confronting the chain's chairman Sir Stuart Rose at its annual meeting in July, M&S has decided to axe the controversial GBP2 surcharge on bras above a DD cup. 
The retailer is also offering a 25% discount on any bra bought thru May 25.
M&S had claimed the surcharge was needed to cover the cost of the additional fabric and work required to make larger sizes. 
But a campaign by the Busts 4 Justice protest group on the Facebook website slammed the supplement, pointing out that other high-street lingerie retailers offer one price across all sizes. 
They also noted that shoppers also don't have to pay more for an extra large T-shirt, or less for a smaller pair of trousers.
In its advert M&S says: "It's true our fantastic quality larger bras cost more money to make, and we felt it was right to reflect this in the prices we charged. Well, we were wrong, so as of Saturday May 9, the storm in a D cup is over!"


13/24 Watch Tia Lyn's NY Fashion Show with beautiful models of ALL SIZES!

Swine Flu Hurts Mexico's
                Textile Industry
The Outbreak of swine flu has not been kind to Mexico's textile industry, which suffered extensive losses due to the government mandated five-day shutdown of all factories, and a significant drop in retail sales. 
All textile and garment production throughout the entire country was halted from May 1 - 5, during the obligatory shuttering of all non-essential businesses and operations, although some companies were able to continue to deliver previously produced items. 
Department stores were allowed to remain open during this period, though consumers were urged to stay home and many smaller retail shops closed, lacking business.
Georgina Chávez, the director general of the National Chamber of the Garment Industry (CNIV), was reported as saying that all textile factories should reopen on May 6. 
However, before returning to full production they will still have significant hurdles to cross in order to meet the government's extreme health and hygiene guidelines. 
"It is very difficult to follow the health instructions of the government in our sector especially because the factories usually contain a lot of people in a small space and the government is currently prohibiting this way of working. 
"In addition the government mandated levels of cleanliness can be difficult to maintain with all the machinery," Chávez said. 
Ms Chávez added that one of the challenges facing both the factories and the retail stores is the lack of sufficient disinfectant, face masks, and other hygiene products necessary for meeting the government's standards for operation.
The CNIV estimates losses of more than 20% in the textile production sector, and more than 60% in retail sales in comparison with May last year. 
However Ms Chávez pointed out that these losses were not only caused by the consequences of the epidemic but also by the global economic crisis, which has taken a very large toll on the Mexican textile industry this year.



Easier Mobile Shopping 
The new tool from Avery Dennison and Scanbuy can provide sales suggestions for accessories or compatible items.
A new mobile-merchandising solution that allows apparel retailers and brand owners to communicate with consumers as they shop, has been launched by Avery Dennison and Scanbuy Inc.
The solution uses camera phone technology to send purchasing suggestions, images, special offers and virtually any type of promotional messaging to consumers while they are in store.
It can give sales suggestions for accessories or compatible items. 
For example, scanning a 2D barcode on a red dress can give the shopper images of a model wearing the dress, along with matching shoes, handbag and scarf that are available in the store.
Or it might reveal complementary items available as part of a cross-promotion. 
The system connects EZcode (2D barcode) technology on Avery Dennison's line of retail labels with Scanbuy's ScanLife Client application and ScanLife Code Management Platform - thus linking millions of ticketed apparel items directly to mobile information.
"This new solution will enable brand owners and retailers to stand apart in an increasingly competitive environment and more effectively cross-sell complimentary products and services," says Johnathan Bulkeley, chief executive officer of Scanbuy. 
"The information appears on the screen of a consumer's camera phone, turning the device into a kind of personal sales assistant that provides bottom line benefits to retailers of any size, in virtually every worldwide retail segment and location," adds Avery Dennison's Terry Hemmelgarn - group vice president, Retail Information Services.
These benefits are said to include increased units and dollars per transaction, improved traffic and conversion, and promotion of consumer loyalty. 
Consumers seeking a second opinion will also be able to forward images to friends and family. 
"Ultimately, our solution taps into the expanding needs of consumers for personalized attention and retailers' needs to provide on-the-spot sales messaging," Hemmelgarn says. 
Commercial pilots of the mobile merchandising solution will be launched later this year with major retailers and apparel manufacturers.

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