Retail Global Sourcing Update

Global Sourcing Update
Facts & Insights
Produced by:

Q3 2013 - Global Sourcing Update CORESOLUTIONS
1www.coresolutions.com info@coresolutions.com
Americas: +1.908.898.1880 Europe: +44.20.8133.0328 Asia: +852.2378.6300
FOREWORD
[GLOBAL SOURCING UPDATE]
Core Solutions’ Retail Global Sourcing Update provides research and
analysis aimed at informing global sourcing and buying decisions. Each
issue provides a snapshot of key information impacting global sourcing,
including container shipping prices, currency exchange rates, commodity
costs, PMI Indices and other data along with our own insight and analysis
from customers and analysts.
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Contents
Purchasing Manager’s Index........................................................................................................3
Major Economic Indicators ...........................................................................................................4
China Minimum Wage Snapshot .................................................................................................5
Global Low Cost Sourcing Country Wage Snapshot ................................................................6
Container Freight Rates for Major Routes ...................................................................................7
Currency Exchange Rates ............................................................................................................9
Global Commodity Rates............................................................................................................10
Crude Oil....................................................................................................................................10
Rubber........................................................................................................................................10
Metals .........................................................................................................................................11
Wood..........................................................................................................................................12
Wool, Hides, Cotton..................................................................................................................12
Plastics and Fibers.....................................................................................................................13
Apparel Sourcing Trends .............................................................................................................14
Sourcing Geographies of the Future .........................................................................................15
Nearshoring: The Rise of the U.S. as an Export Manufacturing Destination..........................16
Topic Spotlight: India....................................................................................................................17
Topic Spotlight: Sustainability......................................................................................................17
About Core Solutions ...................................................................................................................18
CBX Sourcing Solution..................................................................................................................18
Next Steps......................................................................................................................................19

Purchasing Manager’s Index
To help understand industry and economic conditions in a country, the PMI Index
tracks variables such as output, new orders, stock levels, employment and prices
across the manufacturing, construction, retail and service sectors.
A reading below 50 indicates contraction from the previous month, while a
reading above 50 indicates growth. Currently 22 countries and regions conduct
the PMI survey and compilation, based on an internationally standardized
methodology.
This update looks at a selection of emerging economies and key sourcing
countries, providing indicators for recent months.
COUNTRY May
2013
June
2013
July
2013
August
2013
INDICATORS
Brazil 50.4 50.4 48.5 49.4 Tough economic conditions are driving further
declines in output and subdued demand.
China 49.2 48.2 47.7 50.1 First expansion of PMI in 3 months with signs of
improved market conditions, but slight growth.
Egypt 48.5 47.5 41.7 42.2 Further sharp declines in output and new orders
driven by fragile political conditions
India 50.1 50.3 50.1 48.5 Business conditions continue to decline with both
output and new orders falling at faster rates.
Indonesia 51.6 51.0 50.7 48.5 Output, new order and export business all
contracted as PMI fell to 15 month low.
Mexico 51.7 51.3 49.7 50.8 Slight improvement in manufacturing in August
following contraction in July and rising input costs.
Poland 48.0 49.3 51.1 52.6 Business conditions continue to improve as
output, new orders and export business grow at
fast pace.
Russia 50.4 51.7 49.2 49.4 Downturn in Russia’s manufacturing economy
continued in August, despite pick-up in output.
South
Korea
51.1 49.4 47.2 47.5 Business conditions deteriorated for third
consecutive month reflecting weaker output and
new orders.
Turkey 51.1 51.2 49.8 50.9 Production levels continued to expand with
increasing exports and purchasing activity.
Vietnam 48.8 46.4 48.5 49.4 Profitability remains under pressure as output and
new orders fall and input prices rise at sharp
pace.
PMI Index Source: HSBC, Markit
CFLP

Major Economic Indicators
As China exits low cost manufacturing, a number of Asia locations are filling the void.
Cambodia saw a significant increase in their apparel exports based on recovery in
export markets such as the US and the EU. Vietnam also saw an increase in their apparel
exports. The Bangladeshi government has stepped in amid ongoing concerns over the
country’s garment sector and the country’s exports are still growing at a healthy pace.
Consumer Price
Index
(%yoy growth)
Jan
2013
Feb
2013
Mar
2013
April
2013
May
2013
June
2013
July
2013
Bangladesh 6.6 7.8 7.7 8.4 8.0 8.1 7.9
India 10.8 10.9 10.4 9.4 9.3 - -
Pakistan 8.1 7.4 6.6 5.8 5.1 5.9 -
Cambodia - 1.6 2.5 1.8 1.7 1.0 1.0
Indonesia - 5.3 5.9 5.6 5.5 5.9 8.6
Philippines - 3.4 3.2 2.6 2.6 2.7 2.5
Thailand - 3.2 2.7 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.0
Vietnam - 7.0 6.6 6.6 6.4 6.7 7.3
Exports
(%yoy growth)
Jan
2013
Feb
2013
Mar
2013
April
2013
May
2013
June
2013
July
2013
Bangladesh 18.8 13.2 16.2 10.0 15.4 16.3 -
India 0.8 4.2 7.0 1.7 -1.1 - -
Pakistan 5.6 -8.7 8.2 -4.4 0.8 - -
Cambodia - 16.2 11.9 36.1 5.3 27.2 45.6
Indonesia - -4.3 -12.9 -8.7 -4.1 -4.5 -
Philippines - -15.8 0.1 -11.1 -0.8 4.1 -
Thailand - -5.8 4.6 3.0 -5.2 -3.4 -
Vietnam - 22.0 19.8 16.0 16.7 15.1 -
Imports
(%yoy growth)
Jan
2013
Feb
2013
Mar
2013
April
2013
May
2013
June
2013
July
2013
Bangladesh 4.8 -4.6 -4.9 18.8 - - -
India 6.1 2.7 -2.9 11.0 7.0 - -
Pakistan 3.1 -2.3 5.4 4.0 11.7 - -
Cambodia - 7.7 11.7 24.7 2.7 7.7 5.5
Indonesia - 3.0 -10.0 -3.7 -2.2 -6.8 -
Philippines - -5.8 -8.4 7.4 -2.4 - -
Thailand - 5.3 -15.2 7.3 -3.5 3.0 -
Vietnam - 14.1 17.7 17.0 16.8 15.6 -

China Minimum Wage Snapshot
For the past few decades wages have been a key variable in global sourcing. This is
changing as labor costs are increasing across most low cost sourcing countries.
Wages in China vary widely by province, but across the country have followed a trend
over the past decade of an annual rise of over 10%. This trend is continuing. Export
focused regions such as Zhejiang and Guangdong have raised the minimum wage by
12% and 19% respectively in 2013. The central government plans to continue pushing for
wage increases in the coming years to balance out the wealth gap.
According to some analysts, such as Deutsche Bank, growth as economic growth has
slowed to below potential, so wage growth has been slower in inflation adjusted terms.
Part of the issue is reduced demand for exports, but also a demographic issue where
qualified people are hard to find.

Global Low Cost Sourcing Country Wage Snapshot
Below is a snapshot of minimum wages in key Asia sourcing locations, with the addition
of Egypt and Ethiopia. Wages often vary by region or province and in some cases might
include costs other than the base wage. In some cases with a distinct variance, we
provide an average. With greater visibility into social conditions and increasing unrest
and union pressure, wages in traditional low cost sourcing countries are on the rise.
BANGLADESH CAMBODIA CHINA EGYPT ETHIOPIA
$38/month US$ 83/month US$ 188/month US$ 105/month US$ 23/month
In the garment industry
the minimum wage is Tk
3,000 US$ 38 per month.
Garment worker unions
demanding an increase
to Tk 8,000 (US$ 103).
Notable changes in
minimum wage
1994 2006 2010
Tk 940
↑ 48%
Tk 1662
↑ 77%
Tk 3000
↑ 80%
Breakdown
US $ 55 – Regular
+ US $ 6 –living
+US$ 10 – Attendance
+US$ 5 – Health
+US$ 7 – Transport
Total = US$ 83
Unions are demanding
minimum wages to
start in 2013 at US$ 120
Set locally, ranges
from US$ 138 per
month in Jiangxi
Province to US$ 238
per month in
Shenzhen, Guangdon
g Province.
Currently there is only
one national minimum
wage; there are no
sectorial rates or
occupation-based
rates. Only one
national rate: EGP 700
Some government
institutions and
public enterprises
set their own
minimum wages:
public sector
employees, the
largest group of
wage earners,
earned a monthly
minimum wage of
US$ 23
INDIA INDONESIA LAOS MALAYSIA MYANMAR
US$ 60/month US$ 71-230/month US$ 79 per month US$ 297 per month US$ 75-120/month
From April 1, 2011 the
Minimum Wage was
raised to US$ 1.73 /day.
Wages vary by region.
US$ 2.18 per day in Bihar
to US$ 3.40 per day in
Haryana.
The rupee hit an all-time
low of 60.76 against the US
dollar on 26 June.
Depends on region. 17
areas have different
minimum wage. E.g.
Jakarta: US$ 230
Solo: US$ 109
Central Java: US $ 71
Rupiah depreciated to
new low: closed at
10,297 against the US
dollar on 14 August
Expecting US$ 120 at
end of June 2013 –
negotiating
Need to increase as
to reduce migration
to Thailand
US$ 79 per month;
employers required to
pay US$ 1 meal
allowance per day.
70%-80% of textile
workers are foreigners
US$ 297 per month on
the Peninsula Malaysia,
and US$ 261 per month
for the states of Sabah,
Sarawak, and Labuan
Inclusive of taxes
and benefits
Skilled worker at
Yangon.
PHILLIPPINES SRI LANKA THAILAND VIETNAM
US$ 190- 220 /month US$ 63 US$ 300/ month US$ 89 - 125 /month
Garments are made in 3
regions and wages range
from $6-8 per day.
In 2013 minimum wages
will be replaced with a
two-tier system. 1st tier:
Minimum floor wage for
new hires/ low skilled. 2nd
tier: productivity – based
system.
In the industrial sector,
minimum wages are
varied depending on
the worker category.
Semi-skilled: US$ 55 –
US$ 63
Skilled: US$ 59 – US$ 75
Last increase was in
April 2012, up 40%
Automotive industry
expansion means
textile workers will
migrate
US$ 300 per month
applies from 1st Jan
2013
US$ 67 – US$ 96
(previous minimum)
US$ 85 -95 per month
(urban), US$ 67-74 per
month (rura) for
unskilled laborers at
private enterprises
New minimum wage
could be postponed to
September 2013.
Sources: WageIndicator.org, SAFSA, Wikipedia

Container Freight Rates for Major Routes
The rates below are supplied by The World Container Index - which reports actual
spot container freight rates for selected East-West trade routes – and Xeneta
which relies on data inputted by companies, allowing users to cross-reference
prices. All indices are reported in USD per Forty Foot Container. We report on
historical rates for key Asia-Europe and Asia-U.S. routes.
Analysis: After seeing sharp increases in late 2012, rates have followed a
downward trend since January 2013, falling 41 percent since the end of the first
quarter and are now in the same range as this time last year. While Asia-U.S.
routes are now more stable, Asia-Europe rates are still weakening.
Source: www.worldcontainerindex.com

Source: www.xeneta.comHong Kong to Hamburg
Shanghai to Antwerpen
Shanghai to Rotterdam

Currency Exchange Rates
Following are 90 day exchange rates and one year indicators for major currencies
commonly factoring in global sourcing.
EURO to USD:
Euro to RMB:
USD to RMB:
EUR/USD - % change
2 years -7.09%
1 year 5.75%
6 months 2.20%
3 months 3.38%
30 days 0.71%
Source: Oanda
USD/RMB - % change
2 years -3.27%
1 year -2.72%
6 months -1.87%
3 months -0.23%
30 days -0.09%
Source: Oanda
EUR/RMB - % change
2 years -10.13%
1 year 2.88%
6 months 0.19%
3 months 3.09%
30 days 0.62%
Source: Oanda
The Euro has gained marginally
on the USD in the past 90 days
and is trending up.
The Euro has gained on the RMB
in recent months, on negative
signs in the Chinese economy.
The USD is following a continuing
trend of steady weakening
against the RMB.

0.00
50.00
100.00
150.00
200.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Rubber, Singapore Commodity
Exchange, No. 3 Rubber Smoked Sheets,
US cents per pound
Global Commodity Rates
Moderate economic growth is expected for the remainder of 2013 which should
translate into stable commodity prices.
Oil supply is expected to meet demand for the remainder of 2013, even as global
economies continue to recover. Some uncertainty is felt by ongoing tension in the
Middle-East including the potential Syrian conflict. Prices for aluminum and copper are
expected to continue downward with over supply and weak demand from China.
Crude Oil
Rubber
90.00
95.00
100.00
105.00
110.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13Crude Oil Price index, 2005 = 100,
three spot prices; Dated Brent, West
Texas Intermediate, and the Dubai Fateh
95.00
100.00
105.00
110.00
115.00
120.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Oil - Dated Brent, light blend 38
API, fob U.K., US$ per barrel
90.00
95.00
100.00
105.00
110.00
115.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Oil - Dubai, medium, fob Dubai
Fateh 32 API, US$ per barrel
80.00
90.00
100.00
110.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Oil - West Texas
Intermediate 40 API, Midland
Texas, US$ per barrel
Facing ongoing weak demand,
rubber prices continue on a
two year downward trend.
Commodity Price Sources: IMF data,
Index Mundi, Plasticker

Metals
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Metals Price Index, 2005 = 100, includes
Copper, Aluminum, Iron Ore, Tin, Nickel,
Zinc, Lead, and Uranium Price Indices
1600.00
1700.00
1800.00
1900.00
2000.00
2100.00
2200.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Zinc, high grade 98% pure, US$ per
metric ton
0.00
5000.00
10000.00
15000.00
20000.00
25000.00
30000.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13Tin, standard grade, LME spot price,
US$ per metric ton
1600.00
1700.00
1800.00
1900.00
2000.00
2100.00
2200.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Aluminum, 99.5% minimum purity, LME
spot price, CIF UK ports, US$ per metric
ton
0.00
500.00
1000.00
1500.00
2000.00
2500.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Lead, 99.97% pure, LME spot price,
CIF European Ports, US$ per metric
ton
0.00
50.00
100.00
150.00
200.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
China import Iron Ore Fines 62% FE
spot (CFR Tianjin port), US dollars per
metric ton
6500.00
7000.00
7500.00
8000.00
8500.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Copper, grade A cathode, LME spot
price, CIF European ports, US$ per
metric ton
14000.00
15000.00
16000.00
17000.00
18000.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Nickel, melting grade, LME spot price, CIF
European ports, US$ per metric ton

Wood
Wool, Hides, Cotton
0.00
50.00
100.00
150.00
200.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Soft Logs Average Export price for
Douglas Fir, US$ per cubic meter
240.00
260.00
280.00
300.00
320.00
340.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Soft Sawnwood, average export
price of Douglas Fir, U.S. Price, US$
per cubic meter
0.00
100.00
200.00
300.00
400.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Hard Logs, Malaysian meranti,
import price Japan, US$ per cubic
meter
780.00
800.00
820.00
840.00
860.00
880.00
900.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Hard Sawnwood, Dark Red
Meranti, C&F U.K port, US$ per cubic meter
900.00
1000.00
1100.00
1200.00
1300.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Wool, Coarse, Australian Wool
Exchange, US cents per kg
0.00
500.00
1000.00
1500.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Wool, fine, Australian Wool
Exchange, US cents / kilogram
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
110.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Hides, Heavy native steers,
wholesale dealer's price, fob
Shipping Point, US cents / pound
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Cotton 'A Index', Middling 1-3/32
inch staple, CIF Liverpool, US cents /
pound

Plastics and Fibers
A selection of plastic related prices is provided below. These are calculated from offer
prices in the Plasticker Material Exchange. These are not necessarily true transaction
prices. Prices have continued on a downward trend through 2013 based on falling
demand and surplus supply in China.
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Aug-13
Nylon - Price of PA 6.6
Regrind/ Flakes (Euros/kg)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Aug-13
Polyester - Price Development
of PET Regrind/ Flakes (Euro/kg)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Aug-13
ABS Price Development of ABS
Regrind/ Flakes (Euro/kg)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Aug-13
PVC - Price Development of
PVC-h Regrind/Flakes (Euro/kg)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Aug-13
PP - Price Development of PP
Regrind/Flakes (Euro/kg)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Aug-13
PS - Price Development of PS
Regrind/Flakes (Euro/kg)
Source: Plasticker

Apparel Sourcing Trends
According to the Seventh Annual Excellence in Global Sourcing Survey, produced by
Kurt Salmon and Apparel Magazine, costs are still a top concern in global sourcing. This
includes raw material and labour costs. As a result companies are looking at other
sourcing countries, but they are also looking at their ability to fulfill customer
expectations and improving efficiency, responsiveness and operational effectiveness.
Survey Points to Rise in Apparel Sourcing Costs
A new survey by Cowen and Company indicates that
apparel sourcing costs in the U.S. are expected to increase in
the low single digits.
 67% of respondents predict a rise in apparel sourcing
costs
 Key concerns are rising labour costs (56%), increased
compliance (33%), and increasing energy costs (11%).
Higher material costs are viewed as less of an issue.
 China labour is expected to increase by 15-20%.
What is a world Class supply chain? Key Metrics to measure supply chain success
Source: Kurt Salmon Associates, 2013
“Businesses without
improvements to their
product cycle, channel
dynamics or supply chain
efficiency will be hard
pressed to meet their
targets.”
Source: Cowen and Company, 2013

Sourcing Geographies of the Future
According to the authors of a new report from Stratfor titled, The Post-China16, there are
16 countries best suited to replace China as the world’s low-cost, export oriented
economies. To come up with this list, the consultancy looked at indicators for where
manufacturing is moving based on apparel production and mobile phone assembly,
businesses. These two manufacturing sectors are historically the first movers to lower
price markets since they are so price sensitive and production is
relatively simple.
Much of the new activity is focused on the Indian Ocean Basin,
which includes countries such Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda in Sub-
Saharan Africa and Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh on the
Asian side of the Indian Ocean. The list of 16 also includes countries
in South and Central America such as Peru, Dominican Republic,
Nicaragua and Mexico.
sou
Source: Stratfor Global Intelligence, July 2013
“China is at the
fringes of its low-
wage, high-growth
era. Other countries
will replace it.”

Nearshoring: The Rise of the U.S. as an Export
Manufacturing Destination
Manufacturing is a little known high spot of the U.S. economy. U.S. exports have been
growing seven times faster than GDP since 2005. According to Boston Consulting Group
research, this is just the beginning
Figure 1
Source: Boston Consulting Group research, 2013
“We are probably the most
competitive, on a global
basis, that we’ve been in
the past 30 years.” -- GE
CEO, Jeff Immelt
 As a share of the U.S. economy, exports are at the
highest point in 50 years.
 U.S. textile mills are expected to produce around
$55 billion in goods this year, the fourth
consecutive year that these figures have remained
stable or increased.
 The combined total value of both textiles and
apparel shipments should reach $71 billion.
 The U.S. is expected to capture $70-115 billion in
annual exports from other countries by 2020.
 This could result in 2.5 million to 5 million American
factory and service related jobs.
 The biggest impact should be on industrial
products such as transportation equipment,
chemicals, machinery, computer and electronic
products.
 Historically low outbound freight costs provide are
making U.S. exports more attractive. The average
cost to ship goods from Yokohama to Rotterdam in
2012 was $3,900 per Forty Foot Equivalent Unit
(FEU). The comparable rate from New York City to
Rotterdam was $1,400.
 Factoring in logistics, shipping and other costs
associated with an extended global supply chain,
By 2013 Average labor costs will be around 16%
lower in the U.S. than in the U.K., 18% lower than
Japan, 34% lower than Germany and 35% lower
than France and Italy.

Topic Spotlight: India
Global apparel buyers to expanding sourcing from India
Due to persistent improvement in factory compliance in India, global apparel buyers are
exanding their sourcing from India. Some of them are switching from Bangladesh to
India because of concerns about safety standards there.
According to the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), factory-compliant
manufacturers in India have seen an unprecedented surge in export orders in 2013. With
a flow of new orders into the country, Indian exporters are expected to fetch an
additional US$ 3 billion in the current fiscal year amid a market rebound in the US and a
weak Indian rupee.
The Ministry of Textiles has set a target of bringing 2,900 apparel factories under the
DISHA (Driving Industry towards Sustainable Human Capital Advancement) program in
the country’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17).
Key Numbers:
8% - the amount of U.S. apparel imports that come from India (worth $3.3 billion,
according to the AEPC)
40% - the amount of India’s knitwear garment exports which originate from Tiripur
Topic Spotlight: Sustainability
U.S. Suspend GSP Privileges for Bangladesh
The U.S. administration, reacting to the poor working and safety conditions in the
Bangladesh garment industry, announced on June 27 the suspension of its General
System of Preferences (GSP) program which allowed duty-free imports of Bangladesh
products. This will only affect a fraction of Bangladesh exports, since it does not cover
garments, which make up 90% of exports to the U.S. from Bangladesh.
New International Labour Standard
A new initiative to set an international labour standard for the global apparel industry is
underway. The Garment Industries Transparency Initiative (GITI) was proposed by
Mohammad Yunus of the Grameen bank and German retailer, Otto Group. The aim is to
agree on parameters for good labour practices covering fire safety, minimum wages,
collective bargaining, child labout and other issues.

About Core Solutions
Core Solutions (CORE) helps retailers, brands and suppliers streamline their supply chains,
from Concept to Delivery. CORE’s extended supply chain management platform (CBX)
enables organizations to drive greater speed, agility and efficiency and profit in bringing
private label and branded merchandise to market.
The CBX platform includes modules for Planning, Product Development, Buying,
Sourcing, Order Management, Logistics and Finance.
CBX Sourcing Solution
 Provides automated request for quotes for one or more products.
 Vendors receive email notifications and reminders automatically.
 Vendors complete quotes online or via Excel interface.
 Side-by-side quote comparison, with configurable Estimated Landed Cost (ELC)
 What-If analysis enables staff to adjust cost components to refresh ELC.
 Facilitates quote review, shortlisting and confirmation between buyers, category
managers and sourcing team.
 Vendor can upload photos/images and product documentations (e.g.,
instructions, certifications and 3rd party test reports)
 Reduce overheads in issuing RFQs and processing quotes.

Next Steps
Are you a retailer or a brand interested in:
 Streamlining your sourcing operations?
 Scaling your direct sourcing?
 Growing your private label program?
 Driving greater visibility through your supply chain?
 Increasing profitability for your company?
Click below to learn more about how Core Solutions can help:.
Request a Callback
Request a demonstration
Email: info@coresolutions.com
Or call us directly:
Americas: 1.908.898.1880
Europe: 44.20.8133.0328
Asia: 852.2378.6300

Retail Global Sourcing Update

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