New York City Releases Fashion NYC2020 Report

PUBLIC SCHOOL, one of our {CFDA Fashion Incubator}
esigners, jacket in the making.

WWD -New York City officials’ release of the Fashion NYC2020 final report Tuesday did not present the rosiest forecast for the apparel industry. The U.S. apparel industry is expected to decline at a continued rate of 2 percent annually. More significant growth is predicted in the BRIC countries, where the annual GDP increase is expected to be between 6 and 9 percent.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other industry supporters used the 27-page report to highlight the need to enhance the city as a top destination for designers and fashion design entrepreneurs, bolster its reputation as a hub of the wholesale trade and department stores and as a global center for fashion media, marketing and retailing. The report listed several ways to help the city fashion industry stand apart — attract top talent to enhance the business side of fashion, set up more networking and metoring opportunities, develop a hub of innovation for specialty and multichannel stores and assist emerging designers with loans for production and vetted local factories.
From 2004 to 2009, consumer spending at U.S. off-price retailers grew at 6 percent annually, while spending at mid-tier department stores fell by 4 percent annually, the report noted. On a more positive note, New York fashion week generates $532 million in direct visitor spending and $865 million in total economic impact each year.