Global Vibes

Tariff imposed
HONDURAS: The United States Commerce Department has announced it intends imposing a 5 percent tariff on cotton socks imported from Honduras for six months in an attempt to offer relief to US manufacturers impacted by surging imports from Honduras. The move marks the first time the US has invoked a safeguard restraint for textile and apparel products under a free-trade agreement. The chairman of the interagency Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, said the tariffs would amount to $US3 million ($A3.1 million) to $US3.5 million ($A3.6 million) over the next half year. Under the Central American Free Trade Agreement, the US can impose tariffs as high as 13.5 percent for three years.

Primark a go go
UNITED KINGDOM: Primark's fast fashion store in London's Oxford Street has defied competitor trends by reporting sales of nearly £200 million since it opened in April last year. The store is believed to boast average weekly sales of between £2.5 million ($A5.1 million) and £3 million ($A6.1 million), highlighting its market share over rival M&S. Lately Primark has been focusing on the Spanish market and brought its number of stores up to eight with store launches in Madrid, Bilbao and Oviedo. By the end of 2008, the fashion company is looking to launch another store in Spain. In the UK, Primark will open new stores in Ealing and Basingstoke.

Limited distribution
VIETNAM: Vietnam's fashion industry is being held back by a shortage of skilled designers and problems in its distribution network, attendees at a seminar have heard. Guests at the event, hosted by HCMC Association of Garments, Textiles, Embroidery and Knitting (AGTEK), heard the director of the Fashion Design Institute state that most local designers had not been trained thoroughly and had uncreative designs. Meanwhile, the deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee said Vietnamese fashion lacked access to international trading centres because the distribution was "limited, unprofessional and not concentrated".

H&M's men overhaul
SWEDEN: Multinational fashion retailer H&M is overhauling its menswear in an attempt to help men "get more" from fashion. The Swedish-headquartered company hopes to push its menswear to the next level and will offer a new ever-updated selection sold in a dedicated are at 30 stores worldwide. The first collection is expected to arrive mid September. The capsule collection includes jumpsuits, faux fur coats tailoring, casual wear and more flamboyant heck suits with wide lapels. Trouser styles include key shapes from cropped and skinny to boot cut. The new men's collection available in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.

Polo lawsuit
UNITED STATES: A San Francisco judge has granted 'class-action' status to a lawsuit brought by four former employees of Polo Ralph Lauren, potentially allowing an estimated 5,300 other workers to join the case. The lawsuit accuses the company of not properly compensating employees for time spent in its stores, failing to provide rest breaks, improperly classifying all salespeople as commission-based earners exempt from overtime and improperly using an arrears program to reduce commissions earnings. According to allegations in the complaint, employees at the store are discouraged or prevented from taking breaks and were subject to bag checks for stolen merchandise before leaving the stores but after they had clocked out. As part of the ruling both parties were ordered to enter mediation within the next 45 days.