Just what are the questions that are upper most in the minds of textile experts today… There are in fact too many, but the top 21 would certainly be:-
1
When will cotton prices level off?
2
What will be the new base price for future’s of cotton?
3
Hanes Corporation announced 10% increase in product pricing!
4
Will retailers raise their prices accordingly?
5
Sri Lanka running positive labour compliance ads in various trade papers!
6
Mexico apparel exports to USA and EU, up 19% for 2010 so far!
7
Pakistan not exporting cotton!
8
New cotton crops in March 2011, will they cover the demand?
9
President Obama flying to India, and other Asian countries to promote USA exports!!
Bruce S.Berton
Executive Vice President & COO,
Roochi Traders Inc., USA
Direct your queries to: bberton@roochi.com
10
What restrictive protectionist regulations by various countries will make for USA to slow down trade?
11
The Republican Party has taken over House of Representatives, and they are a FREE TRADE Party!
12
What will be the actions of USTR and US Congress, for moving Free Trade Agreements forward?
13
Status of Korea, Columbia, and Panama, and such others in the pipeline?
14
Will there be a slowdown of cargo shipping due to less vessels, and inspections for terrorism attacks?
15
When will the banks in the USA start lending to small and medium size businesses, start flowing at a
consistent pace?
16
Jobs rebuilding a very slow process, and will hold economy growth down!
17
Cap on trade seems to be tabled, will this allow for more USA jobs?
18
What spending cuts will the new House of Representatives attack, and will it help
the economy?
19
Trade shows in the USA for apparel, closing because of less traffic and high costs to exhibit and travel too!
20
Higher costs in China now for most commodities, where is this business
going to?
21
What natural catastrophes will be taking place around the world, volcanoes, floods, earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes, tsunamis, revolutions, etc.?
A long list, but these are just a few questions that are affecting our daily importing business in the USA market place. It is not unexpected to speculate on all these issues as normally you base your business on some type of planning hoping you have the FACTS, to make your PLANS, and then empowered to EXECUTE these plans, with proper monitoring revision by proper SUPERVISION.
Today’s revolving conditions make this planning, a very difficult task, and a risky
arena to be in.
It looks like there will be a consolidation within our Textile, Apparel, Footwear, Accessory, Domestics industry, or a survival of the fittest… but who knows, which direction the future of the industry is moving…
Though China is fast catching up to the USA market place, with speed of growth expected to increase in years to come, but they still consider themselves as emerging developing country. This is a debate that depends on the changing ingredients as to what makes a developing country.
I may have some of the answers to the questions above, but since there is “nothing as permanent as change”, I will not prophesize, on any at this time. The variables are so great, and that this can change so rapidly, means you have to run your business “Lean and Mean”, believe in your entrepreneurial skills, (gut feeling), and move cautiously forward to maintain your ethics, and the reason for investing in your own business future.
The Judeo, Christian holidays are coming very soon, so let’s hope that all are successful in fulfilling their customers’ needs.
