ISSN 1994-2419

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Issue Week 10 - 2010

News from Saudi Arabia that women there failed to boycott stores manned by male assistants suggests that local women tend to accept the status quo, which bodes ill for the development of lingerie sales there. But better news are to be found on the technology front where suppliers of materials and services continue to develop innovative products as well as on the economic front where major players report strengthening demand and better earnings. Also significant is the launch of new plus-size swimwear collections by leading players in that sector. On the other hand, the disclosure that some leading lingerie retailers in the US are offering for sale some unwashed returned garments, including panties, risks slowing the sales revival there.

Jean-Pierre Adeline

Contents BACKGROUND TOPICS

 FRANCE: bodywear sales slumped in January - page 3
 UK: research reveals women’s swimwear ambitions - page 3
 INTERNAL BRAS: approval by Canadian authorities expected - page 3
 SAUDI ARABIA: boycott call said to have been ineffective - page 3

Contents SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENTS

 LENZING: building of viscose plant in India announced - page 4
 ADVANSA: new sports underwear features Coolmax® freshFX - page 4
 INVISTA: press campaign planned to protect trademark - page 5
 SHAPELY SHADOW: mannequin promotes wearer comfort - page 5

Contents THE APPAREL SCENE

 SPEEDO: new range of shaping swimwear launched - page 5
 CALIDA: 2009 earnings rose despite lower sales - page 6
 WARNACO: buoyant 4th quarter boosts full year results - page 6

Contents DISTRIBUTION

 VICTORIA’S SECRET: re-sale scandal could hurt turnover - page 7
 LANE BRYANT: private label swimwear added to assortment - page7
 ZELLERS: designer label collection includes swimwear - page 7

Contents PEOPLE

 KIM WINSER: takes helm of Agent Provocateur - page 8

Contents GETTING TOGETHER

 HK MODE LINGERIE: merchandise concepts presented - page 8
 CURVENY: surge in attendance reported - page 8

Contents FINISHING TOUCH

- PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS: underwear happening baffles police - page 8

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