Supply Chain Research

The handwear industry is facing a tough 2016. Apparel glove imports have fallen on a 12 month rolling basis for the past four months, including by 4% in September. These are the first declines since February 2010, and suggest the recent warm winter has changed consumer buying behaviors. A similar pattern was seen for winter sports gloves and outerwear more generally. Among specialty gloves, imports of medical products fell 15% in the past 12 months vs. five years earlier, with number one manufacturer Top Glove responding by shifting production to China from Malaysia.