In summer 2010, the headlines began predicting the impending rise in cotton prices.
By fall, the reality was worse than expected:
• “Cotton Shortage = Pricey T-Shirts And Jeans” (CNN/Money, September 9, 2010)
• “Flashback to 1870 as Cotton Hits Peak” (The Wall Street Journal, October 15, 2010)
• “Gap, Wal-Mart Clothing Costs Rise on ‘Terrifying’ Cotton Prices” (Bloomberg Business Week, November 15, 2010)
Major t-shirt mills that support our industry—Anvil, Fruit of the Loom, Gildan, Hanes and Jerzees, for example—
raised prices twice in 2010, approximately five percent each time, and another 7% increase in the first 2 weeks of 2011.
No one likes price increases, but in the case of cotton, apparel will continue to maintain a very strong position
as a preferred means of branding and advertising.
People love promotional apparel, and this is not going away any time soon. I personally have promotional t-shirts
in my closet that are over five years old, and I think that’s fairly typical. That speaks volumes to the power of
advertising apparel.
We here at AdStuff continuously research our best options for apparel suppliers and pledge to create great design,
provide excellent service and overall value for all of our clients.
One Comment
cotton shortage is effecting the clothing market.