Tariff shock looms over apparel market as US consumer sentiment sinks

Apparel prices remained stable in February, with CPI up +0.8 per cent year-over-year, while import prices held at +7 per cent above 2019 levels.
Import volumes surged in recent months but slowed in February due to a high base.
Consumer confidence hit a three-year low, and garment spending dipped.
New US tariffs raised market fears, despite strong March job gains and stable but softening wage growth.