Clothing market demand in Europe is forecast to grow by 2.5% per annum between 2009 and 2014, from US$217 bn to US$245 bn. In the first half of 2010, Chinas clothing exports increased by 16.2% and US clothing imports rose by 8.4% but EU clothing imports declined by 3.9%. Pakistan's clothing exports were up by 2.5% in 2009/10.

Smart Apparel has signed an agreement with G-III Apparel Group to manufacture men's clothing under the Andrew Marc and Marc New York brand names while Beluga has entered into an agreement with Perry Ellis International to design, manufacture and distribute apparel for boys under the Gotcha brand name. Li & Fung USA (LF USA) has signed two separate licensing agreements and a partnership agreement. The licensing agreements have been signed with TapouT and Sean John Clothing while the partnership agreement has been signed with Rachel Zoe, an American fashion stylist.

All companies whose financial reports are profiled in this report have posted increases in net sales, including Abercrombie & Fitch (up by 17%), Asos (up by 48%), Benetton Group (up by 1%), Gap (up by 2%), Gildan Activewear (up by 28%), H&M (up by 14%), Inditex (up by 14%), Levi Strauss & Co (up by 8%), Marks and Spencer (up by 4%), Perry Ellis (up by 2%) and TJX (up by 7%).