Apparel

Providence, R.I.-based Teespring, a Y Combinator-backed startup that allows anyone to outsource the production and distribution costs involved with selling their own custom T-shirts, has raised $20 million in new funding in a round entirely led by Andreessen Horowitz. The funding, which closed around a month ago, will also see the firm's Lars Dalgaard joining Teespring's board.

First launched in 2012 by Brown grads Walker Williams and Evan Stites-Clayton, the idea for Teespring originally came about after Williams tried to save a local bar from shutting down by selling a "save the bar" custom T-shirt.

Bodek and Rhodes, a distributor of imprintable apparel based in Philadelphia, unveiled its new trade show booth during January's ASI event in Orlando, Fla. Boasting 33 percent more space than last year's version, the booth features a new, retail-inspired design.

With fitness trackers for dogs, partnerships between designer brands and fitness bands, and digital health apps dominating last week’s CES show, health and fitness is at the forefront of efforts to connect consumers with technology. One unique trend—deemed “Emotional Mirror” technologies—seeks to make the simple act of wearing clothing an interactive tool for participating in (and communicating about) a healthy, happy lifestyle.

PSFK and Intel iQ highlighted these technologies in their “Future of Wearable Technology” report, out last week, which featured 10 major trends driving the form and function of personal devices.

Charles River Apparel, the supplier based in Sharon, Mass., announced the results of its third annual 'Tis the Season for Giving charitable campaign, donating a total of 3,000 garments to the homeless during the 2013 holiday season.

Li & Fung, the buying agent for retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp., said it is setting up a new unit to provide buyers and factories with consulting services, financing and insurance to bolster compliance with safety codes.

The industry has come under pressure to improve safety at the factories it relies on to cheaply produce apparel in the wake of the fire at the Tazreen Fashion factory in Bangladesh, which killed more than 100 workers in 2012, and the collapse of the Rana Plaza building last year, which killed more than 1,100 people.

Ash City, North America's leading promotional apparel supplier, recently announced the release of its Spring 2014 collection. With 29 new styles, the new catalog consists of exceptional performance pieces that embody innovative technology and visually-intriguing fabrics.

Apparel production in the United States saw an 8.5 percent jump in 2012 over 2011 as American shoppers focused more on buying domestically made clothing.

Despite the rise in apparel production, employment of U.S. apparel workers dipped 2.4 percent to 148,100 jobs. Rising production numbers with fewer employees only indicates that the average U.S. apparel company has become more efficient and productive-either with better machinery, more technology or harder-working employees.

In 2013, the words "struggling" and "retailer" were used in tandem so frequently that they practically created a new cliche. But according to one analyst at Jefferies, 2014 could bring brighter times for many specialty retailers, including Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, Ann Taylor and Chico's. Where a turnaround story may be less likely, however, is the lagging Aeropostale and Abercrombie & Fitch.

In a research report released Thursday, Jefferies equity analyst Randal Konik took a bullish stance on the whole specialty retailer sector, saying that the intense pricing pressure generated by "a promotional war zone" could dissipate in 2014.

Broder Bros., the apparel supplier located in Trevose, Pa., announced that it is rebranding as alphabroder. The new name unites the company’s four brands under a single umbrella to create simplified business practices and clear company messaging.

Four global retailers Primark, El Corte Ingles, Loblaw and Bon Marche have pledged to contribute to a $40 million compensation fund for victims of Bangladesh’s Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in April, officials announced Dec. 24.

“An estimated $40 million will be required to compensate the victims and their beneficiaries, “ Lejo Sibbel from the International Labor Organization (ILO) told the Agence France-Presse (AFP). “To finance the payments to victims, international brands and retailers are making voluntary contributions into the fund, which is also open to contributions from any other international donors,” said Sibbel.