US-based fashion wholesale management platform JOOR has reported a notable resurgence in fashion buying activity among retailers outside the United States during the third quarter (Q3), signalling renewed confidence in international markets.
According to JOOR’s year-on-year (YoY) transaction data from like-for-like retailers, global purchases had declined by 5% in Q2. However, non-US retailers recorded an 18% YoY increase in Q3, marking a sharp recovery. Markets showing the strongest growth included Italy (+40%), Germany (+29%), South Korea (+29%), and the United Kingdom (+22%). In contrast, US retailer purchases continued to fall, registering a 10% YoY decline in the same quarter.
The Q2 slowdown in global buying followed a significant rise in wholesale prices, triggered by the announcement of new US tariffs in April. Between Q1 and Q2, average wholesale prices for identical styles on JOOR increased by 5%, compared to the usual quarterly adjustment of around 0.6%.
Following the tariff announcement, JOOR surveyed its international network, revealing that 85% of brands intended to pass on some or all tariff costs through price increases. Meanwhile, 96% of US-based retailers and 82% of non-US retailers indicated plans to raise prices as a result.
While the steepest increase occurred between Q1 and Q2, wholesale prices continued to edge up by 0.5% in Q3. This rise contrasts with the previous three years, during which prices between Q2 and Q3 remained largely stable or slightly declined.
Amanda McCormick Bacal, Senior Vice President of Marketing at JOOR, said the year had been “particularly tumultuous” for the global fashion sector, compelling retailers to adjust their buying strategies. She noted that while Q2 saw a dip due to sharp price hikes, Q3 data reflected “a confident return to buying by retailers outside the US—a welcome development for the fashion sector.”
