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Posted by Danielle Kuczer July 11th, 2025

The Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) and global digital solutions provider Fortude today announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating digital adoption within the Canadian fashion and apparel sector. Through this collaboration, CAF and Fortude will equip Canadian apparel businesses with the knowledge and tools to embrace digital solutions and AI-led transformations that will drive competitive growth. As the fashion industry evolves to meet new expectations around speed, agility, and data-driven decision-making, advanced technology solutions have emerged as key enablers, optimizing …

June 18th, 2025

  The new anti-greenwashing provisions in Canada's Competition Act, which came into effect on June 20, 2024, require businesses to ensure that environmental claims are not false or misleading and are backed by adequate and proper testing or substantiated using internationally recognized methodologies. ' The Competition Bureau has issued final guidelines to assist businesses in complying with these new rules. Their guidance document is located here: https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/guide-june-2024-amendments-competition-act We encourage all firms to review how these guidelines would impact your marketing. …

June 18th, 2025

Canadian Apparel Monthly Digest June 2025Canadian Apparel Insights Retail Apparel Update Canadian apparel e-commerce sales in 2024 increased 1.9% to C$7,373 million according to Trendex. Lululemon’s sales during Q1 2025 in only its 71 Canadian stores increased 3.8% and accounted for 12.3% of its parent company’s total sales. DSW Canada, operator of 175 shoe specialty stores, reported that its total sales in Q1 2025 decreased 2.9%, while its comparable sales declined 9.2% Reitmans (Canada) sales fell 4.1% in its Q1 …

June 17th, 2025

Gateway to Europe offers a comprehensive range of services to Canadian fashion, sports, and lifestyle companies looking to expand into Europe and the UK. Tailored to the needs of small to medium-sized brands, the program supports growth, minimizes risk, and provides all necessary operational support, without requiring a European entity. Through the partnership with the Canadian Apparel Federation, members gain direct access to a proven setup designed to simplify cross-border expansion. What We Offer Gateway to Europe streamlines your international …

June 9th, 2025

On June 4, 2025, CAF hosted a very interesting webinar featuring two innovative supply chain technology suppliers: Supply Trace and ImportYeti. These platforms offer invaluable insights into supply chain dynamics, enabling companies to identify risks (forced labour etc.), discover reliable suppliers, and make informed sourcing decisions.  The webinar was a free-flowing discussion and a great demonstration of the two platforms.  The recording of the webinar is hosted in the CAF Webinar archive.  This is the first of a planned series …

June 9th, 2025

Companies in the apparel/textile sector should be preparing for new reporting requirements for the Federal Plastics Registry (FPR). The registry is a system designed to track plastic throughout its lifecycle—from production to disposal. It aims to gather reliable data to help reduce plastic waste and pollution. Of immediate concern to companies is a requirement to report the volume of plastic in packaging, beginning in September 2025, and reporting on plastics in apparel/textile products beginning in 2026. Companies unfamiliar with this …

June 3rd, 2025

  Agreeing with President Donald Trump’s recent comments that US tariff policy is not focused on driving the domestic footwear and apparel industry, five apparel industry associations recently wrote to the President, arguing that it is simply not feasible to scale up domestic footwear and apparel manufacturing right now due to significant supply chain, labor and cost constraints. “Tariff policy cannot overcome these obstacles, especially when it is imposing new costs on existing manufacturers in our industry,” they said in a letter …

May 30th, 2025

Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada (ATSC) celebrates its 10th edition with events in Montreal on September 26, 2025 during Montreal Fashion Week and in Toronto from September 29 to October 1, 2025. Over 200 global manufacturers will showcase their latest apparel and textile collections, emphasizing low MOQs and product diversification. ATSC addresses critical industry topics like tariffs, trade, sustainability, and trends. Admission to the tradeshow and seminars is free. Industry Leaders, Strategic Partnerships ATSC continues its partnership with the Canadian Apparel …

May 22nd, 2025

Canadian Apparel Update Apparel specialty stores (69.5%), off-price retailers (10.9%), and discount stores (7.0%) were the largest channels of distribution for apparel in 2024 Winners in 2024 were Canada’s largest individual retailer (7.3%) followed by Walmart (5.5%), lululemon (5.3%) and Marks (3.6%). The ten largest apparel retailers during 2024 accounted for 36.3% of apparel sales. Aritzia's total Canadian sales in 2024 increased 4.6% to C$1.2 billion. Columbia Sportswear Canada's sales decreased 6.1% in the first quarter of 2025. Children’s Place …

May 21st, 2025

  Webinar: Understanding the True Cost of Returns Date: Wednesday May 27,  2025   1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EDT       Why your return policy isn’t the problem—shoppers’ uncertainty about fit is. Returns cost more than logistics — they quietly erode shopper confidence and long-term brand trust. Learn how eliminating fit confusion can dramatically reduce returns and strengthen your bottom line. Join the very first Avease x CAF webinar and uncover what most brands are not doing to solve this persistent problem—and why that’s …