The US newspaper 'Birmingham News’s (31-October-2009, p. 1F) recently had a large picture of little girls and boys in school uniforms. It was a story about the decline in Catholic school enrollments. The decline is primarily due to the economy.

UK retailer Marks and Spencer (M&S) plans to open more stores in China despite the teething problems it faced after launching a first outlet in Shanghai last year.

Sportswear giant Adidas has posted a 30% decline in third quarter profit - but said it was "cautiously optimistic" about its fortunes in the coming year.

Retailer Marks and Spencer Plc today (4 November) said it remains cautious about the outlook for Christmas and the year ahead despite posting a slight gain in first-half profit and increasing its market share in clothing.

Marks and Spencer (M&S) boss Sir Stuart Rose said the retailer's broad appeal helped the company towards its 1.7% growth in HY general merchandise sales today (4 November).

Apparel maker The Warnaco Group Inc today lifted its full-year guidance after third quarter profit rose 12%, helped by growth in its Calvin Klein business and tight control of inventories and costs.

As the European Union considers extending anti-dumping duties on Chinese leather shoes, China's shoe manufacturers are bracing for a further hit to exports. Many have already shifted business away from Europe, while others are turning towards the domestic market, as

Footwear company Weyco Group has reported a fall in net earnings, despite a rise in sales for its third quarter, with the company saying it continues to be affected by the weak retail environment.

Genesco subsidiary Hat World has moved to acquire rival retailer Sports Fan-Attic for an undisclosed sum.

Fashion footwear and accessories maker Steve Madden has delivered record third quarter sales and earnings, driven by higher sales, lower markdowns and cost cuts.

Upmarket denim brand True Religion has recorded an 8.8% dip in third quarter profit, but is sufficiently encouraged by its performance to raise its full-year earnings forecast.

Better than expected revenues in October have encouraged apparel retailer Next to raise its sales guidance for the rest of the year.

Kenneth Cole Productions has exceeded its previous guidance for the third quarter by reporting a small profit for the period.

Textile and garments have topped Vietnam's exports for the first time according to the latest figures from the General Statistics Office.

US discount retailer Target Corporation has denied newspaper reports that it is planning to sell its captive technology centre in India, dismissing the rumours as "ridiculous speculation".

Accessory footwear maker RG Barry Corporation has more than doubled its first quarter earnings after the timing of shipments to retailers returned to a more normal pattern.

US fashion company Polo Ralph Lauren is continuing a double-pronged effort to control brand operations in Japan and South East Asia, it said during a second quarter earnings call today (3 November).

Cut-price clothing retailer Primark is plotting expansion in continental Europe after posting an 8.2% increase in full-year operating profit to GBP252m (US$411m).

US-Sino trade tensions over unfair support measures - including textiles and apparel - are not going away any time soon, judging by the latest spat between the trans-Pacific powers in a World Trade Organization (WTO) session Friday.

Material World, the twice-yearly trade show for the fashion industry supply chain, is to be cancelled indefinitely, its organisers confirmed to just-style today (3 November).