{"id":458466,"date":"2026-04-24T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drapersonline.com\/?p=458466"},"modified":"2026-04-24T11:56:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T10:56:23","slug":"how-retailers-can-weather-bangladeshs-latest-storm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drapersonline.com\/topics\/international\/how-retailers-can-weather-bangladeshs-latest-storm","title":{"rendered":"How retailers can weather Bangladesh\u2019s latest storm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Bangladesh is the world&#8217;s second-largest fashion exporter after China, producing annual fashion and garment exports averaging between \u00a330bn and \u00a338bn figures from the country&#8217;s publication <em>Textile Today<\/em> and the BBC show. Its textile sector accounts for more than 80% of the country&#8217;s total exports and employs around 4 million workers, largely in the ready-made garment sector, contributing almost 20% to the nation\u2019s GDP<em> Textile Today <\/em>reports<em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Especially popular for sourcing cotton-based knitwear, denim and woven pieces, Bangladeshi factories supply the full scope of the industry, from smaller brands to high street behemoths Marks &amp; Spencer, Primark, H&amp;M and Zara.<\/p>\n<p>A study by Bangladeshi not-for-profit organisation RAPID (Research and Development Integration for Development) in December 2025 showed that the average weighted price of the country&#8217;s top 10 fashion export items is around 36% lower than those of China and Vietnam. Bangladeshi garment prices are also lower than those of India and Cambodia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factfile\">\n<p><strong>Bangladesh clothing manufacturing by numbers\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a330bn and \u00a338bn of annual clothing exports<\/li>\n<li>80% of the country&#8217;s total exports are textiles<\/li>\n<li>4 million workers in the ready-made garments sector<\/li>\n<li>36% lower prices of top 10 garment exports than China and Vietnam<\/li>\n<li>3.73% year on year decline in exports of garments between July 2025 and February 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Sources: Textile Today, BBC, Research and Development Integration for Development, and Export Promotion Bureau<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Despite being a vital and substantial part of many fashion businesses\u2019 sourcing mix \u2013 thanks its low costs, its largely integrated supply chain (particularly in knitwear), high-volume capacity and a skilled, experienced workforce \u2013 Bangladesh presents significant challenges.<\/p>\n<p>The country has largely settled after mass disruption following the 2021\u2019s downfall of Sheikh Hasina\u2019s government, and unrest around February\u2019s general election, which brought Bangladesh Nationalist Party\u2019s Tarique Rahman to power was short lived. However, the war in Iran is slowing international shipping routes and disrupting air freight \u2013 sending costs sky high in the process.<\/p>\n<p>Prices are slumping because of weakened consumer demand in the west and aggressive competition China as Trump\u2019s tariff\u2019s push non-US shipments towards Europe. Meanwhile, longer-standing issues such as working conditions and labour rights remain, and the war on Iran by Israel and the US has added another dangerous and unknown dimension.<\/p>\n<p>These challenges are under the shadow of high-profile, deadly incidents such as the 2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drapersonline.com\/insight\/comment\/rana-plaza-collapse-10-years-on-nobody-should-die-for-fashion\">Rana Plaza collapse<\/a> \u2013 when a building that housed five clothing factories in Dhaka collapsed, killing more than 1,100 workers and injuring 2,500 \u2013 and 2012\u2019s Tazreen Fashion fire, which killed at least 117 garment workers and injured more than 200 others. While the industry has focused on improving safety standards, concerns remain over working conditions and labour rights.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factfile\">\n<p><strong>Read more:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drapersonline.com\/news\/suppliers-warn-of-textile-price-hikes-amid-middle-east-conflict\">Suppliers warn of textile price hikes amid Middle East conflict<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drapersonline.com\/topics\/supply-chain\/fashion-retail-counts-the-cost-of-middle-east-conflict\">Fashion retail counts the cost of Middle East conflict<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drapersonline.com\/news\/inflation-rises-to-3-3-as-iran-war-drives-up-fuel-prices\">Inflation rises to 3.3% as Iran war drives up fuel prices<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Brands and retailers tell Drapers they are monitoring the situation and rethinking strategies to tackle this. Meanwhile, experts urge caution when it comes to relying too heavily on this one sourcing destination \u2013 while also calling for responsibility to the factories and workers that have propped up the fashion industry for decades.<\/p>\n<h2>Global turbulence hits Bangladesh\u2019s clothing exports<\/h2>\n<p>It has been a turbulent year so far for Bangladesh and its garment manufacturers. The US and Israel launched widespread strikes on Iran in late February, disrupting global shipping and air freight routes. While sea freight exports are still moving out of Bangladesh as normal, vessels are being diverted away from the Middle East to maintain safety and avoid congestion resulting in longer lead times, Sarah Powell, associate director of air freight services at Baxter Freight, tells Drapers.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_461964\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 770px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-461964\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23123949\/Screenshot-2026-04-23-120825.webp\" alt=\"Bangladesh's ready-made garment exports to the world - annual (Source: Bangladesh Apparel Exchange)\" width=\"760\" height=\"561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23123949\/Screenshot-2026-04-23-120825.webp 566w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23123949\/Screenshot-2026-04-23-120825-300x222.webp 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23123949\/Screenshot-2026-04-23-120825-230x170.webp 230w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23123949\/Screenshot-2026-04-23-120825-150x111.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bangladesh&#8217;s ready-made garment exports to the world &#8211; annual (Source: Bangladesh Apparel Exchange)<\/p>\n\t<p class=\"inline_image_source\" style=\"max-width: 770px;\"><p class=\"empty_inline_source\"><\/p><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Exports by sky are even more disrupted: \u201cThe main effect of the conflict has been a reduction in available air capacity, as some Middle East carriers and routing options are temporarily unavailable.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor fashion businesses needing faster transit times, air freight remains a workable option. Carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Biman Bangladesh and Jazeera Airways via Kuwait are still operating, and providing financially viable increased capacity\u00a0for more time\u2011critical shipments. However, rates are highly volatile and are changing frequently, so costs can only be confirmed once cargo is ready to move. This level of fluctuation can be particularly challenging for fashion brands that rely on stable, predictable freight contracts to support tightly managed seasonal timelines.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo navigate these pressures, we recommend planning further ahead where possible and building additional flexibility into lead times. Staying in close contact with freight partners is also crucial, as it allows businesses to secure alternative routing solutions as conditions evolve in line with the geopolitical landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_461958\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1034px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-461958 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23122543\/Sarah-Powell-Associate-Director-Air-Freight-Baxter-Freight-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Sarah Powell, Associate Director Air Freight, Baxter Freight\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23122543\/Sarah-Powell-Associate-Director-Air-Freight-Baxter-Freight-scaled.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23122543\/Sarah-Powell-Associate-Director-Air-Freight-Baxter-Freight-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23122543\/Sarah-Powell-Associate-Director-Air-Freight-Baxter-Freight-1024x1021.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23122543\/Sarah-Powell-Associate-Director-Air-Freight-Baxter-Freight-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23122543\/Sarah-Powell-Associate-Director-Air-Freight-Baxter-Freight-768x766.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23122543\/Sarah-Powell-Associate-Director-Air-Freight-Baxter-Freight-70x70.webp 70w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23122543\/Sarah-Powell-Associate-Director-Air-Freight-Baxter-Freight-230x230.webp 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sarah Powell, associate director air freight, Baxter Freight: &#8220;Rates are highly volatile and changing frequently, so costs can only be confirmed once cargo is ready to move&#8221;<\/p>\n\t<p class=\"inline_image_source\" style=\"max-width: 1034px;\"><p class=\"empty_inline_source\"><\/p><\/p><\/div>\n<p>In the months before this disruption, US president Donald Trump\u2019s tariff\u2019s pushed non-US shipments towards Europe \u2013 Bangladesh&#8217;s largest export market \u2013 where Bangladeshi clothing unit prices fell 3.84% in 2025 compared with 2024, the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange reports.<\/p>\n<p>Trump made a trade deal in February that lowered Bangladesh\u2019s tariff to 19%, from 20%, before the president\u2019s global 10% tariff was later announced later that month. This has widely been welcomed as a relief, but demonstrates the general instability and vulnerability of an industry so heavily dependent on existing supply chains and export markets.<\/p>\n<h2>Bangladesh mill closures<\/h2>\n<p>Within Bangladesh itself, in late January the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) announced it was closing more than 50 mills as it said operators lacked the capacity to service bank loans after what the association described as a near-50% erosion of industry capital \u2013 leading to weeks of running at roughly half capacity and heavy losses. This situation was the result of a long\u2011running conflict between primary textile mills and garment exporters over bonded warehouse facilities that allow duty\u2011free imports of specific yarns, largely from India.<\/p>\n<p>This follows violent anti-government protests that aimed to topple the previous government and created an unsafe environment for operations, rising energy costs and clients demanding lower prices: an October 2024 investigation by NPR (National Public Radio) in the US found that western fashion businesses were paying 10% less for clothes than they were the previous year.<\/p>\n<p>While the industry has focused on improving safety standards since 2013&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drapersonline.com\/insight\/comment\/rana-plaza-collapse-10-years-on-nobody-should-die-for-fashion\">Rana Plaza collapse<\/a>\u00a0and 2012\u2019s Tazreen Fashion fire, concerns remain over working conditions and labour rights.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_99195\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 5177px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-99195 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2013\/05\/08190006\/Bangladesh-disaster-2.jpg\" alt=\"Disaster: more than 400 lives were lost in the Rana Plaza collapse. The factory was being used by Primark and Mango\" width=\"5167\" height=\"3456\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2013\/05\/08190006\/Bangladesh-disaster-2.jpg 5167w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2013\/05\/08190006\/Bangladesh-disaster-2-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2013\/05\/08190006\/Bangladesh-disaster-2-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2013\/05\/08190006\/Bangladesh-disaster-2-1024x685.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 5167px) 100vw, 5167px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Disaster: more than 400 lives were lost in the Rana Plaza collapse<\/p>\n\t<p class=\"inline_image_source\" style=\"max-width: 5177px;\">Credit:Rex Features<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Former Asda buying manager Scott Macrae, who was also previously head of buying at Arcadia Group\u2019s Burton and a buyer at Next, tells Drapers the recent challenges are \u201cjust building frustration around sourcing from Bangladesh&#8221;: \u201cMost retailers are looking to build more robust strategies that de-risk from Bangladesh. Reacting in the moment has no value, but some retailers will be expecting air freight to get deliveries on track, and some will work with manufacturer partners [to come up with alternative solutions].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But Macrae advises against short term fixes: \u201cHaving a sourcing strategy that reduces heavy reliance on one country has to be the long term solution [to tackling challenges in a particular sourcing destination]. However when faced with the real cost difference of moving production, many retailers just can\u2019t sacrifice margin or are scared to raise prices and lose competitive edge.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut as I\u2019ve always said, 70% of nothing is nothing \u2013 if you have no stock you have no sales.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One C-suite leader at a UK retailer that sources from Bangladesh acknowledges the instability in the supply chain, saying it is \u201cmonitoring the situation closely\u201d, while pointing out it has not yet experienced production issues.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, the head of design at a UK menswear brand says the impact of challenges in the country has been minimal: \u201cThere has been the odd occasion where a mill in Bangladesh has closed and we have had to resource elsewhere. To be honest, if we can\u2019t get from Bangladesh, we go to China.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Incentives for Bangladeshi suppliers<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile, Mostafiz Uddin, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange, a non-profit organisation established to promote the clothing and textile manufacturing industry in Bangladesh, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drapersonline.com\/news\/drapers-sustainable-fashion-awards-2021-winners-revealed\">Drapers Sustainable Fashion Champion 2021<\/a>, tells Drapers the disruption was short lived:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe BTMA withdrew the shut-down just after one day after their meeting with the government, as the government considered increasing the [cash incentive to use local yarn manufactured and processed by local mills, instead of imports from countries such as India, China or the US] to 5% \u00a0from the existing 1.5% [the decision is yet to be made]. The textile mills are running in full swing now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, Richard Thomas, a retail and global supply chain consultant who has led sourcing at retailers and brands including Marks &amp; Spencer, The Very Group and AllSaints, points out that if there have been production issues, they will not be felt until later in the year: \u201cI\u2019d be surprised if volumes [of garment orders] weren\u2019t down,\u201d he says, adding that he has experienced a rise in manufacturing professionals in Bangladesh getting in touch with him to enquire about work \u2013 which may signal problems on the country\u2019s factory floors.<\/p>\n<p>Figures compiled by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange show that Bangladesh\u2019s merchandise exports fell more than 12% year on year in February \u2013 a seventh consecutive monthly drop \u2013 driven primarily by weakening garment shipments.<\/p>\n<p>Exports of ready-made garments (RMG) declined 3.73% year on year between July 2025 and February 2026. In February alone, garment exports plunged more than 22% compared with January\u00a0<strong>(see graph).<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_462043\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1324px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-462043\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24115534\/Bangladesh-ready-made-garment-exports-to-the-world-Source-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange.webp\" alt=\"Bangladesh ready-made garment exports to the world - monthly (Source Bangladesh Apparel Exchange)\" width=\"1314\" height=\"1642\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24115534\/Bangladesh-ready-made-garment-exports-to-the-world-Source-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange.webp 1314w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24115534\/Bangladesh-ready-made-garment-exports-to-the-world-Source-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange-240x300.webp 240w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24115534\/Bangladesh-ready-made-garment-exports-to-the-world-Source-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange-819x1024.webp 819w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24115534\/Bangladesh-ready-made-garment-exports-to-the-world-Source-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange-768x960.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24115534\/Bangladesh-ready-made-garment-exports-to-the-world-Source-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange-880x1100.webp 880w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24115534\/Bangladesh-ready-made-garment-exports-to-the-world-Source-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange-960x1200.webp 960w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24115534\/Bangladesh-ready-made-garment-exports-to-the-world-Source-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange-1229x1536.webp 1229w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24115534\/Bangladesh-ready-made-garment-exports-to-the-world-Source-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange-184x230.webp 184w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24115534\/Bangladesh-ready-made-garment-exports-to-the-world-Source-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange-120x150.webp 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1314px) 100vw, 1314px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bangladesh ready-made garment exports to the world &#8211; monthly (Source Bangladesh Apparel Exchange)<\/p>\n\t<p class=\"inline_image_source\" style=\"max-width: 1324px;\"><p class=\"empty_inline_source\"><\/p><\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Diversifying manufacturing from Bangladesh<\/h2>\n<p>Bangladesh has recently undergone high volumes of upheaval, Thomas notes: \u201cThere was a lot of damage done in 2024, with people thinking, \u2018What the hell are we going to do here?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In 2024 Bangladesh experienced floods that disrupted cotton imports, a violent student-led uprising that resulted in more than 1,400 deaths, the fall of Sheikh Hasina\u2019s 15-year government, alongside the installation of an interim government and severe economic decline: around 10 banks became insolvent, inflation rose above 8% and there were 100,000-130,000 job losses\u00a0in textiles and clothing manufacturing\u00a0, alongside post-uprising law-and-order challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Thomas says this left shipments unfulfilled, factories shuttered amid the fear of the protests, workers disillusioned with pay in the global cost of living crisis, all dovetailing with this year\u2019s challenges creating a \u201cmulti-pronged\u201d issue \u201cmaking retailers have a more strategic view when it comes to sourcing. I think it will be hard for the country.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Like Macrae, he advises diversifying: \u201c[Retailers] shouldn\u2019t have more than 40% of your business in one country, no matter what the advantages are. Better to be in three or four low-cost countries, all with their own different issues, rather than having all eggs in one basket.\u201d Thomas points to the example of a former client that sourced 70% of its garments from Bangladesh \u2013 and had to make hard decisions when the Rana Plaza tragedy happened.<\/p>\n<p>Thomas says Cambodia is an alternative sourcing destination retailers should consider, as well as Madagascar \u2013 \u201cbut there are longer lead times as they don\u2019t have fabric there\u201d \u2013 and Laos, \u201cbut that doesn\u2019t do huge volumes\u201d, and Myanmar.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut you\u2019ve got to put the leg work in [when moving into these countries]. Meet the right people, go through all the requirements ethically and in terms of sustainability \u2013 you\u2019ve got to go through all the right channels.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-461977 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23125355\/Screenshot-2026-04-23-121102.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"648\" height=\"522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23125355\/Screenshot-2026-04-23-121102.webp 443w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23125355\/Screenshot-2026-04-23-121102-300x242.webp 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23125355\/Screenshot-2026-04-23-121102-230x185.webp 230w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/23125355\/Screenshot-2026-04-23-121102-150x121.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Retailers\u2019 responsibilities<\/h2>\n<p>However, brands and experts alike urge a responsible shift when diversifying. Thomas talks about responsibilities retailers have to the countries they are \u201cdeep in\u201d saying they must ensure they are \u201cnot plunging people into poverty\u201d by moving production.<\/p>\n<p>One director of ESG (environmental, social and governance) at a UK lifestyle brand<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>that sources from Bangladesh agrees: \u201cIt is a social decision \u2013 if we exit it\u2019s bad for the economy. People and families rely on us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He points to the industry itself causing some of the challenges for manufacturers, saying Bangladesh is a good example of how the carbon emissions reporting burden has been passed onto suppliers: \u201cOne factory is making clothes for multiple retailers and now being asked for reporting but given no support to do that. It is a huge problem.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Also external investment hasn\u2019t come in terms of investing in microgrids [localised, small-scale energy systems that power factories] \u2013 like building panels, wind turbines in the car park. We\u2019re pushing unnecessary burden on a system that can\u2019t cope with it. We have to be more mindful.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Advantages of Bangladesh<\/h2>\n<p>The ESG director also applauds the resilience of Bangladeshi manufacturers: \u201cWhile the country was overthrowing an authoritarian government and ports were closing due to the uprising, they [suppliers] were still continuing to deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And he points to a return to stability as being another plus for the destination. In February Bangladesh\u2019s newly elected prime minister, Tarique Rahman, promised to rebuild democratic structures, eradicate corruption and ensure accountability. That month the country also secured exemptions for clothing made with US-produced cotton and man-made fibres, as part of a new agreement.<\/p>\n<p>Global supply chain consultant Thomas emphasises the advantages offered by the nation\u2019s factories \u2013 such as 3D manufacturing, \u201cstate of the art kit and software\u201d: \u201cOf the similar sourcing destinations suggested, Bangladesh is the best one. It has low overheads in terms of wages, 20 years\u2019 experience dealing with US and European markets so they are accustomed to complex products, there is an abundance of workforce, a developing a raw material base that it didn\u2019t have 10 years ago, productivity and efficiency is much better, and they\u2019ve invested in automation, and proper procedures [health and safety, in light of tragedies such as Rana Plaza].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While it remains to be seen if the unrest of early 2026 will have a significant impact on fashion retailers and brands, experts tell Drapers they should be diversifying from Bangladesh to de-risk their supply chains \u2013 especially if more than 40% of their product is currently being sourced there. This should be done in a considered way, however, and they should be mindful not to lose sight of the specific advantages the Bangladeshi sector offers, nor the millions of people employed within it, and the cautious optimism offered by new trade arrangements and government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bangladesh is the world&#8217;s second-largest fashion exporter after China, producing annual fashion and garment exports averaging between \u00a330bn and \u00a338bn figures from the country&#8217;s publication Textile Today and the BBC show. Its textile sector accounts for more than 80% of the country&#8217;s total exports and employs around 4 million workers, largely in the ready-made garment &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":100454,"featured_media":461972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[972,7751,76780,995],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-458466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","category-international","category-subscriber-only-content","category-supply-chain","editorial-international","editorial-manufacturing","editorial-rana-plaza","editorial-supply-chain"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.7 (Yoast SEO v26.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How retailers can weather Bangladesh\u2019s latest 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