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On the Horizon
Last year, the legwear category generated retail sales of $6.6 billion. Here Sally Kay, president of The Hosiery Association, addresses five top-of-mind industry issues

Q: With the price of raw ingredients going up, what impact is this having on product development?

Price impacts factors across the board, not just the content of the product but the overall logistics of production and movement of product throughout the entire value chain. Certainly it depends on the company, and who the customer is – whether it is a commodity or a high price point item – but everyone is making decisions based on price. In the short term, companies are refining processes and trying to be more accurate in forecasting to be cost effective. In the long term, companies are studying alternatives. It is a ripple effect. You cast a stone in the pond and one thing interacts with another. In this case, high prices lead to transportation issues which may be impacted by workers striking because of high food prices on the other side of the world.

Do you see continued growth in the “green” movement? And if so, how are you going forward on the eco front?

I feel our industry is really well positioned to be pro-active on the green front. We have recently launched Green Feats, which essentially pairs innovation with the environment. And we have gotten a lot of positive response to this program.

We know, based on survey information, that there is a lot of confusion in the marketplace about what “green” is and we have been working with agencies, like the FTC, to be as up-to-date as possible. For example, the topic of packaging has become a big issue in our industry. Not just about using eco-materials but also how to label efficiently using less packaging. It is a challenge to capture consumer attention, yet be sensitive to an eco-impact. Another trend we are seeing is how some major shoe brands are extending into the legwear category to capture the momentum of the growing green segment.

With tighter budgets yet the cost of travel increasing, what is your view on trade shows in the future?

The trade show scene is truly changing. For example, we hosted a machinery show here in Charlotte for years and years. But that concept has become obsolete. Instead, the Italian Hosiery Show (FAST) will be staged in Spring 2009. It just makes more sense to have the show in Italy closer to the manufacturing base. Technology is also changing things. A few years ago we tried a virtual trade show that “attendees” could visit through our Web site. We may have been a little ahead of our time with that idea. But now, with people more computer savvy, we may try going virtual again.

How do you see politics and trade taking shape under a new administration in 2009?

Sourcing is sourcing is sourcing and it is important to understand that the “source” is not always out of the country. As companies try to diversify offerings, but not want to make a major capital investment, some look geographically close by. Of course it depends on the product and the customer base, but contracting close to home might be the best source for the particular situation. Also, come 2009 quotas come off everything so companies should have sourcing strategies in place.

What are the top-tier functional benefits you address now in product development?

Fit and comfort are very important, and sport-specific product continues to be something consumers want. Value-added features are strong, too, such as anti-microbial, UV protection and insect repellent benefits. Further, the wellness trend is bringing to market products that have spa-like features. This ties into the whole personalization trend. In other words, consumers are asking, “What can this product do for me?”

This new column "On the Horizon" is underwritten courtesy of Concept III Textiles International.

Original article is available here. Credit:Textile Insight Magazine for the article