Posted on 11/12/2010 5:32:04 PM PST by BenLurkin
Consumers itching for new jeans, pricey dress shirts or other cotton-heavy goods might want to pay especially close attention to this year’s holiday sales. Although the rising cost of cotton hasn’t hit shoppers yet, clothing companies have said prices will start climbing as early as January.
Bad weather in cotton-producing regions of India and China, and flooding in Pakistan, resulted in poor harvests this season, driving cotton prices up nearly 80% since the summer. So far, most clothing makers haven’t passed that cost increase along to consumers. But in recent weeks, the parent companies of a variety of brands – including retail chain Bon-Ton (BONT: 12.72, -0.50, -3.78%), Jones New York, Hanes, premium denim producer 7 For All Mankind and outdoor clothing maker North Face – have said they expect to raise their prices by up to 10% in 2011. At this point, says Randy Allen, an associate dean for The Johnson School at Cornell University, “they can’t afford not to.”
But consumers can hedge against rising prices – at least for now – by taking advantage of bumper store sales. Apparel isn’t usually a hot seller during the holiday season, at least compared with other gift categories, says Jeff Green, an independent retail consultant. So retailers are discounting their clothing inventory to make it look as attractive as toys, electronics and other popular gifts. “They’re really trying to get rid of this stuff,” he says.
Here’s a look at what to buy now — and what to wait for.
(Excerpt) Read more at smartmoney.com ...
Underwear and socks!
Stopped making Levis here years ago,American cotton textiles were the best at one time,I do not think we make anything anymore.
What about Q-Tips? Should you stock up on Q-Tips? What about aspirin. The bottles all have those cotton thingys at the top. Should you stock up on aspirin?
Egyptian, long-staple cotton is good stuff for sheets. Ain’t cheap - but 1/3rd of your life is spent in bed though. Last forever. Like anything else, buy once, cry once. Don’t make enough money to buy the cheap crap.
I think cotton in medicine bottles went out a decade ago.
From last year to this year the price of cotton has doubled but with that said, last year there was $1 worth of cotton in a pair of blue jeans and this coming year it will be a whopping $2 bucks.
Prices will probably double though.
Ping
I must have an old bottle.
I don’t know where they were made, but I recently bought a package of sheets at Sam’s - two sets to a package. High thread count, 100% cotton, they feel like silk. They make all my other cotton sheets feel like scratchy polyester. They were very reasonable.
I bought a pair of 501’s not long ago and the quality of ther cotton was crap
Well made and not too expensive
“My son has Carhartt jeans and a jacket that say made in Dearborn. Maybe not made by Americans in Dearborn but at least made IN America:
Well made and not too expensive”
Thanks for the Info.
me too i wear shorts most of the year wanted a pair of old school shrink to fit 501 the heavy denim ones the had the feel of mommy jeans
I quit buying levi’s (perhaps 8) years ago. The quality dropped significantly when the production moved overseas. I used to walk 4 miles/day in the course of daily life. They rarely wore out before and then suddenly they wore out quickly. (No, my thighs do not rub together.)
Though, when clicking on the link I was hoping to read a few ticker symbols for cotton ETFs.
Aaaah,leisure suits.
Polyester.
Memories!
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