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Commendable decision by international garment buyers
07 Apr '20
2 min read
Pic: reddees / Shutterstock.com
At a time when the world is passing through an unprecedented crisis due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a few international garment buyers have taken the commendable decision of not cancelling orders already placed with suppliers. This will help several apparel manufacturers producing for these companies to stay afloat.
Swedish multinational clothing-retail company Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) was the first to come to the rescue of exporters by agreeing to take delivery of the already-produced garments as well as goods in production. Subsequently, other major garment buyers like British multinational retailer Marks and Spencer, Spanish clothing company Inditex, French retail company Kiabi, American retail corporation Target and US clothing retail company PVH have also come forward to state that they will not be cancelling orders that have been produced or under production.
Other major retailers and brands are also considering accepting shipments of products that were already ordered, and are reworking the terms and conditions for those work orders, according to some media reports.
For Bangladesh, apparel export is the mainstay of its economy, as readymade garments account for over 80 per cent of the country's overall exports and is a source of livelihood for nearly 4 million people and their dependents.
In India too, the textiles-apparel industry is the second largest employer after agriculture. In other Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, the clothing sector employs a large number of people and cancelling orders by retailers and brands would directly affect employment of these people.
In such a scenario, international garment buyers are showing sagacity by taking a compassionate view. They have been demonstrating a spirit of partnership, keeping in mind the future of millions of garment workers in producer countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, among others.
Swedish multinational clothing-retail company Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) was the first to come to the rescue of exporters by agreeing to take delivery of the already-produced garments as well as goods in production. Subsequently, other major garment buyers like British multinational retailer Marks and Spencer, Spanish clothing company Inditex, French retail company Kiabi, American retail corporation Target and US clothing retail company PVH have also come forward to state that they will not be cancelling orders that have been produced or under production.
Other major retailers and brands are also considering accepting shipments of products that were already ordered, and are reworking the terms and conditions for those work orders, according to some media reports.
For Bangladesh, apparel export is the mainstay of its economy, as readymade garments account for over 80 per cent of the country's overall exports and is a source of livelihood for nearly 4 million people and their dependents.
In India too, the textiles-apparel industry is the second largest employer after agriculture. In other Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, the clothing sector employs a large number of people and cancelling orders by retailers and brands would directly affect employment of these people.
In such a scenario, international garment buyers are showing sagacity by taking a compassionate view. They have been demonstrating a spirit of partnership, keeping in mind the future of millions of garment workers in producer countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, among others.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)
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