BROMSGROVE, England, July 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The future of global apparel sourcing is likely to lie with emerging Asian countries as China's position as the leading global garment supplier is weakened by rising labour costs and exchange rate appreciation, according to the first edition of a new report from just-style.

The report, 'Apparel Sourcing in Asia - forecast to 2016', offers a detailed analysis of the macro issues and trends that are influencing global apparel sourcing, including inventory pressures brought about by continued volatility in consumer confidence and spending power. These make it difficult for retail buyers to predict demand, leading to squeezed inventories and reduced orders to compensate for the continued uncertainty.

In this scenario, the report says, agility and responsiveness are the keys to success. While China remains the dominant supplier, low cost alternatives include Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia and Pakistan.

Also included in the report is a review of the main drivers of the Asian apparel industry and details of consumption trends for the region's products in the US, EU and Japan. There is also data covering Asian imports into these western markets by garment category, looking at historic volumes from 2006 and future forecasts to 2016.

Although the report questions China's future dominance in apparel sourcing, it believes there is still room for growth despite the concerns. The country is also among those noted as having the fastest future growth in clothing retail, along with Eastern Europe, Russia, India, Turkey and Brazil.

just-style's 'Apparel sourcing in Asia - forecast to 2016' report is an essential resource focusing on the rapidly changing trends in garment supply and outlines what the future holds for this complex and innovative industry.

The full report is available from http://www.just-style.com

About just-style.com

Established in 1999, just-style is a leading online resource for global apparel and textile sourcing industry and retailers, publishing around 15 news articles, analysis features and insights every working day. Under the direction of Managing Editor Leonie Barrie, its experienced team of journalists, consultants and analysts provide a unique blend of apparel,  textile and footwear industry news,interviews and research that is delivered to over 100,000 business executives per month.

Via its web site, webinars and in-depth management briefings just-style offers insight into apparel sourcing and supply-chain trends, brand and corporate strategies, CONSULT research platform, enterprise technologies such as PLM and ERP, technical textiles and manufacturing developments and how clothing and footwear retailers perform around the world.

For details of how just-style is "helping decision makers make decisions" visit http://www.just-style.com.

For further information and images please contact Kate Varvedo, Marketing communication manager at Aroq Limited on +44(0)1527-573-616, alternatively email kate.varvedo@aroq.com 

SOURCE just-style.com