Instead of our regular look at the most read stories on just-style during the week, we thought a fitting end to the year would be to take a look at the top stories on just-style in 2013. Garment factory disasters, strikes, safety agreements, and M&S's body odour neutralising suit, were some of the issues that made the headlines.
WORLD: 16 countries identified "to replace China" sourcing
Sixteen nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America have been identified as the likely pretenders to China's crown as the ultimate low-wage, high-growth sourcing and manufacturing destination. UK: Marks & Spencer suit neutralises body odour
Marks & Spencer is incorporating patches in its suits that soak up and neutralise body odour. SINGAPORE: Luen Thai to buy Ocean Sky apparel ops for $55m
The apparel operations of Singapore-based Ocean Sky are set to be acquired by Luen Thai Holdings (LTHL) for US$55m. BANGLADESH: Another fatal fire at apparel factory
There has been another fatal fire at a Bangladesh apparel factory, just a fortnight after the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building where the death toll has now risen to more than 940. HONG KONG: Higher prices and shortages loom over leather industry
Leather industry executives have admitted they are perplexed by a recent hike in hide and skin prices and have warned that an ongoing squeeze on global supplies could mean some end-users including global clothing, footwear and accessories brands will face shortages of the raw material. BANGLADESH: Garment factory building collapses killing 86
An eight-storey commercial building that housed five garment factories collapsed near the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka today (24 April), killing more than 86 people - most of them apparel workers - and leaving several hundred others injured. GLOBAL: Cotton prices set to rise on Chinese stockpiling
Cotton prices are expected to rise in 2013/14, according to new figures, despite forecasts that cotton stocks are set to reach a new high at the end of the season. UK: Consumer confidence rises to four-year high
UK consumer confidence this month improved to the highest level in four years, according to figures released by research firm GfK today (30 August). UPDATE: CAMBODIA: Garment workers sacked over strike
Protests are continuing over the mass sacking in Cambodia of striking workers who make garments for companies including Nike, Lululemon Athletica and Wilson Sports Apparel. UPDATE: BANGLADESH: Retailers rush to join fire and building safety accord
Retailers H&M, Primark, C&A, Tesco and Inditex (operator of the Zara stores) have joined the Fire and Building Safety Agreement, which is intended to improve safety in Bangladeshi garment factories.
