Tom Andersson

Fashion’s biggest cost isn’t labour or materials. It’s inefficiency: • overproduction • excess transport • duplicated processes • carbon embedded in every handoff Manual systems don’t just move slowly, they compound waste. This is a systems problem, not a brand problem. #sustainablefashion #responsibleautomation #sustainableinnovation #purposefulinnovation

10

The British Business in China: Position Paper is a report created by the British Chamber of Commerce in China to provide advocacy and representation on behalf of British businesses operating in China. British businesses across a range of sectors in Beijing, Guangdong and Southwest China come together to raise the regulatory barriers that they face, areas of opportunity for bilateral cooperation and recommendations for market access reform. The Position Paper is directly presented to the UK and China governments in order to directly inform trade policy and negotiations. This year’s Position Paper features analysis across eight sectors, from creative industries and energy, to consumer goods and education. Its findings are based upon dozens of interviews and roundtables with member companies, relevant stakeholders, industry experts and policy analysts, and is one of the two major annual publications from the Chamber. QR code below.

15

2 Comments

There is a lot of talk about “value” when it comes to marketing procurement. The WFA led the way back in 2018 with Project Spring. But still many procurement teams are chipping at fees to reduce costs. Why? Cost is what you pay. Value is what you get. In a world where MMM (Marketing Mix Modeling) can provide insights on marketing performance, why are we still haggling over cost? #valueversuscost #marketingprocurement Thank you to my friend and colleague Dennis Flad for another compelling cartoon.

2

Why China Leads Global Fashion Manufacturing in 2025? China’s dominance in global fashion manufacturing in 2025 is built on more than just cost efficiency. In our latest video, we explore how China’s massive scale, smart logistics, and tech-driven production make it the backbone of the global apparel supply chain. ✅ Advanced automation ✅ Integrated supply chain ✅ Reliable exports ✅ Sustainable innovation Watch now to understand why China remains the world’s fashion engine. 📽️https://lnkd.in/gAXMvTFq #NevasAI #NevasTech #MadeInChina #FashionManufacturing #GlobalTrade #TextileIndustry #SustainableFashion

1

📢 For your next HFSS results instalment.... We found a significant overall reduction in sales of HFSS products as a proportion of total sales when we pooled results across three retailers in England.    However, the scale of the impact varied by retailer:  🛒 🛒Two retailers’ sales showed a clear step change reduction in sales of in-scope HFSS products 🛒No significant impact was observed in the third   🛒For the fourth retailer, it was not possible to overcome data preparation challenges (linking sales records to nutrition metrics) within the project time period   📈 There is a critical need for a centrally managed open access, regularly updated food composition database to support consistent implementation, compliance, enforcement, and timely evaluation of legislation.    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🌍 In sales data for 50 stores across Wales and Scotland we saw the same overall reduction, and retailer specific findings.   ➡️ This could be because some retailers decided to implement the legislation across all their stores throughout England, Scotland and Wales – or it was difficult not to make some changes, even if not intended.  ➡️ There was also considerable reformulation by industry. If products were reformulated, to comply with the legislation, this would have been carried across national borders.    Read the paper pre-print here https://lnkd.in/e6RHb8bR     In this research on-pack product data was sourced from NIQ Brandbank©.    Anyone at IUNS-ICN 2025 conference next week, come and hear more about this work on Tuesday morning 8am https://lnkd.in/eUfr2aNn     Alice Kininmonth (ANutr) Alison Fildes Vicki Jenneson ANutr Emma Wilkins Robyn Naisbitt Alex Johnstone

69

5 Comments

🇬🇧🇰🇷 Delighted to welcome an exceptional UK Digital Commerce delegation to Seoul today! This morning at the British Embassy Seoul, we greeted 12 innovative UK companies spanning retail tech, beauty, homeware, luxury goods, and manufacturing as they embark on their mission to Korea. Korea holds significance for UK businesses: - With a GNI per capita exceeding £28,000, it stands as one of Asia's most affluent markets. - Boasting a 27% online retail penetration, second only to China in Asia. - 75% of purchases are made via mobile devices. - The beauty market is valued at £4.8 billion, showing a trend towards international openness. These companies are participating in the 16th IGDS World Department Store Summit, engaging with 56 of the globe's premier department stores. Beyond immediate opportunities, the focus is on cultivating enduring partnerships that fuel sustainable growth. Korea's fusion of digital advancement, discerning consumers, and a penchant for heritage brands with contemporary appeal creates an ideal landscape for British companies to prosper. Lucy Haine, Lead of Digital Commerce at DBT and her team have aided 30,000 UK companies in the last decade, resulting in £4.2 billion in exports. Korea serves as a strategic gateway to Asia, and initiatives like this mission are instrumental in converting potential into tangible growth. Proud to champion British innovation on the global platform. Acknowledgment to the commendable work and coordination by my team, Soobin Heo and Taeyoung Kim, and Lucinda Walker at the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea.

49

3 Comments

People often say, “But returns are free—so what’s the problem?” The reality is, they’re not. If they were, the UK fashion industry wouldn’t be losing Billions a year, and reverse logistics wouldn’t be pumping out 750,000 tons of CO₂. It’s a hidden cost hurting everyone—brands, customers, and the planet. That’s exactly what we’re solving at SizeSutra. Our AI-powered sizing tech helps shoppers get it right the first time—reducing returns, boosting customer confidence, and making fashion more sustainable. #RetailTech #FashionTech #SustainableFashion #AIinRetail #SizeSutra #ReturnsCrisis #Ecommerce #ClimateImpact #ConsumerExperience #FitTech

3

Chinese Retail Giant Preparing For Full Launch Of Online Store In The UK JD.com, one of China’s largest retailers, is recruiting for more than 150 jobs in the UK in preparation for a full commercial launch of its online store Joybuy, which sells a wide selection of both grocery and general merchandise products. The company unveiled a beta of the site in April. Initially, the website took orders from consumers in select London postcodes, offering a range of ambient and frozen foods, household products, baby items, beverages, personal care, beauty, health, pet supplies, and nicotine products from major brands. Hundreds of Morrisons own-label food and drink lines are also available. Other categories added since include electronics, home appliances, and home & living. To help establish the UK operation, JD.com assembled an experienced team of UK grocery buyers and category executives who had previously worked for retailers such as Sainsbury’s, Asda, Tesco, Ocado, and Amazon. According to The Grocer, JD.com is hiring for roles covering multiple functions, including its growing network of UK warehouses and distribution centres as well as head office roles such as category manager, data analyst, accountant, developer, and user experience designer. This will increase JD.com’s current UK 250 full-time headcount by 60%, + more employed on a contract basis. JD.com in The Grocer said: “Joybuy is JD.com’s online retail business in Europe, dedicated to creating a more joyful shopping experience for our customers. “Our service in the UK is currently in the beta testing phase, but we’re continuing to recruit great people to create an amazing customer journey, as we build towards our full commercial launch later this year.” JD.com has been in inconclusive talks to acquire Sainsbury’s Argos, suggesting they have big plans for the UK. JD.com were online-only but now has over 10,000 retail outlets and an annual turnover of more $150bn. It has also diversified into sectors such as technology, logistics, and healthcare. In recent years, they have been expanding outside China, ( establishing operations in several EU countries and across Asia. The Joybuy brand has already been rolled out in Belgium, France, Germany, and Luxembourg. In July, JD.com launched a €2.2bn offer for German electronics retailer Ceconomy, which runs more than 1,000 MediaMarkt and Saturn stores across Europe. The deal is expected to be completed in early 2026. JD.com previously weighed a bid for UK-based consumer electricals chain Currys but withdrew its interest in March last year. NamNews Implications: * A new kid (with significant potential) is arriving on the block… * (Hint, hint: ‘one of China’s largest retailers’) * Suppliers getting in early may find it fractionally easier than playing catch-up later. * Your colleagues in the EU and China should be able to add substance to your case for action * ..inside and outside your company... * Over to you… #JD.com

28

3 Comments

UK Fashion Industry Faces Skills Shortage Amidst Aging Workforce The UK fashion manufacturing industry faces a critical skills shortage, exacerbated by Brexit, an ageing workforce, and a declining interest among young people in technical roles such as sewing, weaving, and pattern-cutting. Read more: https://buff.ly/96LnOun ERA Group supports workforce development programs to rejuvenate the fashion manufacturing sector. Connect with us to invest in future talent. #FashionManufacturing #SkillsDevelopment #WorkforceStrategy #ERAGroup

3

1 Comment

If price isn’t a proxy for durability, what is? Over the past 3 years, WRAP teamed up with Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour and our UK Textiles Pact signatories to dig deep into one question: what makes clothes last? Through our Durability Research Project, we: 🔹 Tested 47 t-shirts (high street and luxury) 🔹 Simulated real-life wear – pilling, fading, shrinkage, overall look 🔹 Let brands benchmark themselves (anonymously) The surprise? Price is no predictor. Some £10 tees outperformed those costing 10x more. That’s why a unified, evidence-based durability standard matters – for brands, regulators, and the planet. It also helps businesses stay ahead on EPR rules and benefit from eco-modulation incentives. We’re taking this work beyond the UK – to the US and EU – so the industry can finally speak the same language on durability. ➡️ See the findings: https://lnkd.in/ekb6FYUq ➡️ Want in? Lets connect here or through: https://lnkd.in/gJ44a-PB WRAP, WRAP Textiles #durability #EPR #Circularity #CirculairFashion #Fashion

79

6 Comments

Why is China still the king of textiles in 2025? China continues to dominate the global textile trade in 2025 — and it’s not just about low costs anymore. In this short video, we explore the key trends that make China the world’s fashion manufacturing powerhouse: ✅ Advanced automation and AI ✅ Integrated supply chains ✅ Fast, consistent production ✅ Growing focus on sustainability Watch now to see how China is shaping the future of apparel. #NevasAI #NevasTech #TextileIndustry #GlobalTrade #FashionManufacturing #MadeInChina https://lnkd.in/ghkBfv7n

3

Great experience yesterday presenting the findings of our recent report (From Blind Spot To Retail Advantage - How GNFR Is Reshaping Profitability In UK Fashion Retail) in partnership with Retail Economics. Thanks to the team at Retail Gazette with their part to play in making the event a reality and to all who attended and shared their perspectives on the topic of GNFR. The engagement and insights shared by all in the room were invaluable.

28

1 Comment

After GTC, I’m back to my normal routine to solve the problems in textile and apparel industries. Because of involving deeply in both sides, I have strongly believe AI will change the industry in a good way, not replacing. #NunoX #MaterialIntellgence #AgenticAI

16

Alterations specialist urges shoppers to avoid fast fashion A clothing alterations specialist has urged people to think about the environment when choosing what to buy and avoid fast fashion garments. Cosmin Diaconu, who set up Repair my Denim in Cambridge in 2024, said a high-quality pair of jeans made of 100% cotton were easy to repair, but often fast-fashion jeans contained elastane, making the fabric thinner and more difficult to fix. The term "fast fashion" describes the quick turnover of clothing trends and the move towards cheap, mass-produced garments - with new lines constantly released. "Most of the fabric [of higher-quality jeans] can be recycled and is biodegradable... and it doesn't have plastic in it," he added. The UN said fast fashion was fuelling a global waste crisis and the industry was one of the world's most polluting sectors, using up large amounts of water and chemicals. "Think about the consequences [of what you buy]. How long will you wear it for? Or look for the alternatives that are a bit more sustainable," Diaconu said. The Waste and Resources Action Programme said that almost half the textiles used in the UK end up in household waste. Cathrine Jansson-Boyd, a professor of consumer psychology at Anglia Ruskin University, said it was the pressure of being fashionable, especially for teenagers and young adults, that was fuelling fast fashion. "For them it is often a statement on who they are, a representation of the social groups they belong to," said Jansson-Boyd. "We have even moved on from talking about fast fashion to talking about ultra-fast fashion, because the turnover of the collections is so rapid that people want to renew their wardrobe essentially every week," she added. Despite the prominence of fast fashion, some charity shops said the second-hand clothing market has grown and donations have been thriving. In Pampisford, Cambridgeshire, the donation hub for the Arthur Rank Hospice was full, volunteers said. The higher-quality items would be sold in the charity's High Street shops, which provided an important revenue stream for the organisation. Items that were not good enough to be stocked in the shops were put in "rag bins", which would be sold on for recycling. Sharon Allen, the CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said selling rag bins was becoming more difficult. "The price of rag has really dropped. Five years ago we'd get about 50p per kilo. Now we're getting 14p. "The cost of all that engagement and the transportation is starting to make it not viable," she said. Janine, who did not want to provide her surname, said she regularly shops at charity shops in Great Shelford, Cambridge, and said she was wearing a jumper she had bought on a previous visit. https://lnkd.in/gYJH2MfG

3

What’s Really Shaping the Future of Retail? I was delighted to write a short blog for Jurij Triller and the team at SmartGifty as part of the 'Smart Perspectives series'. The article focuses on retails future: The Key Takeaways: 1️⃣People are of course the heart of retail; skilled, supported teams remain the strongest competitive advantage. 2️⃣Technology works when it enhances what we do and AI succeeds when it frees people to deliver richer experiences. 3️⃣Openness creates stronger leaders because those who share, collaborate and evolve together will rise fastest. ➡️Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/enMmE-mT

34

11 Comments

Furniture store card spending up in February 2026 Consumer card spending in furniture stores rose slightly during February when compared to last year, says new data from Barclays. #FreeFurnitureNews

3