Imported Kids Apparels from China - Are they Toxic?

How safe are the clothes we buy for our 'small people'? A report states that imported clothing from China contains unacceptable levels of toxic chemicals.

Chemicals residues on clothing are hazardous to human health. Increasing concern about global awareness has sparked the consumer's desire for organic clothing, leading more and more people to choose the nature's life style. Utmost care should be taken in the purchase of kids clothing. It should be kept in mind that they should be non toxic, eco friendly and free from chemicals, and skin irritants. A report states the shocking fact that the children's clothes imported from China contain excessive chemical content that can harm the kids.

The provincial quality and technology supervision administration has discovered the shocking fact that out of all the garments imported from China; only 53.5% meet with the safety standards. An inside information states that the garments included false information about the raw materials, color fastness, and also had excessive content of the chemical formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is commonly used in garments as an embalming fluid to give a 'permanent press' look. Excessive content of this chemical in our clothes can cause irritation in eyes, skin, nose, and result in respiratory problems, and diseases like cancer. It can also result in headaches, skin rashes, nausea, and chronic fatigue. Just by simply touching those products, or breathing the formaldehyde they release into the air, can cause intense symptoms.

Two years ago, New Zealand's Ministry of Consumer Affairs were investigating claims that clothes with high level of formaldehyde were imported from China and sold in their country. Tests conducted on these clothing revealed levels of formaldehyde in Chinese made clothing up to 900 times more than the level known to affect humans. The Chinese made flannelette pyjamas claiming to be low fire danger has also proved futile. (Source: http://www.abc.net.au). Earlier a worldwide recall of Chinese toys was made due to high lead content. An investigative New Zealand television show revealed that 500 times more than the safe amount of formaldehyde was found in the woolen and cotton clothes imported from China.

Researches supported by the WHO (World Health Organization) states that 20 parts per million of formaldehyde is enough to be hazardous to human health. Europe has limited the chemical residue in kids clothing to a maximum of 30ppm.

If China is to increase the quality of materials and processes, it will simultaneously increase the cost of goods. Profits would be less and Chinese products would be less competitive. Entry of low cost manufacturers from China into the global market, who are less aware of the chemical risks, product regulations, safety, and childrens health, is likely to pose a serious threat.

This induces a growing concern about the Chinese clothing. Stricter regulations are needed regarding garments, especially for children's clothing.

Source: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/

Strategies to protect your profits

Mr Tito Mboweni - Governor of SA Reserve Bank - has cautioned South Africans to fasten their belts, as we've officially hit our first recession in 17 years. Our economy shrunk by 6,4% in the first quarter of 2009 on compared to a contraction of 1,8% in the fourth quarter.

Trimming overheads is not the only way to weather the current economic downturn. And desperate times do not always call for desperate measures so don't be too reactive when faced with the negative economic news in the media.

Rather assess your organisation's performance across the various marketing departments and initiate some of the following profit protection strategies. That way you'll reduce the effects of the economic downturn in ways that go beyond profit-threatening cost cutting.

Focus your strategy and competitive advantage

Snap out of any fearful paralysis and take another look at your business goals and marketing strategies. Trim out all the "luxurious" marketing activities and focus your valuable resources on core activities that will get results in these times. Importantly, make sure that your brands offer additional value to your customers.

Keep an eagle eye on your competition

Consistently monitor your competitive by regularly reviewing their product offerings, advertising communications, price points, websites and press coverage. Be sure you are always aware of their new products, promotions and strategic moves.

Reassess your objectives and prioritise

Create a special strike force to monitor key indicators and be sure your marketing and sales teams are perfectly aligned with your key objectives and with each other. Do this by creating an approved list of marketing priorities and ensure everyone is on the same page. Also identify your best performing employees and look after them.

Have a strong online presence

And sweat your website to become a hard working business tool. Be sure its optimised, user-friendly, easy to navigate and that your content is always current. You do not have to have an expensive website but make sure you have the basics in place.

Lead by example

During tough times managers have to stay positive and convey a positive and confident message to your staff and your clients. And be sure that you nurture your relationships with key accounts if you're a B2B brand or your existing and potential customers if a consumer brand.

Be brand-centricTM

The brand-centricTM approach is the process of entrenching your brand and it's values within your organisation and in your communications to your customers. This means encouraging your employees to live by your brand values and creating the appropriate infrastructure to enable this. It also means ensuring that all your brand messaging communicates those values at all touch points with your consumers.

Enhance customer relationships

Nurture your relationships with your current customers. Stay in contact with them via direct channels such as SMS, emails and maintain your above the line presence. For example, Vespa SA has initiated a Vespa community and organises regular Vespa Club Runs. It also keeps potential Vespa clients and current clients updated with news, offers and events in a monthly e-newsletter called the "Vespa Sting".

Offer potential clients with guarantees

A believable guarantee will make it safe for prospects to give your organisation a try. This will work for consumer brands and B2B brands.

Maximise call to action and cross sell

Provide vouchers and sampling opportunities as often as possible to the right target market. Offer incentives to purchase and actively cross-sell related products.

Capture new customers and steal market share

Publish customer testimonials and success stories on your website. Make use of word-of-mouth and viral techniques. This can be done by calling for feedback either via your call centre or your website - a good way to create awareness of your positive brand experiences and for finding out your weaknesses.

Yes its official, South Africa is in an economic recession, but make sure it doesn't become a psychological one as this could snowball into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Rather turn your attention back to marketing your brands using smart, prudent methods. That way you will ensure that your business and your goals don't contract and will pass through this downturn stronger than ever before.

Source: http://www.moneyweb.co.za/

The Israeli Diamond Industry Sees Economic Crisis as Opportunity for Innovative Marketing

The Israeli Diamond Industry, one of the major stakeholders ofIsrael's economy, has found a unique way to deal with the global economicmeltdown. Instead of freezing marketing activities and pulling advertisingdollars, the Israeli Diamond Industry is investing huge efforts in reachingout to clients, using both new and traditional marketing tools.

"We see the economic crisis as an opportunity, not a problem,"said Eli Avidar, Managing Director of the Israel Diamond Institute Group ofCompanies (IDI). "The key to success in this economic climate is to adoptassertive and sometimes unconventional strategies in marketing, managementand development." That is, in his words "Do the unexpected."

Avidar and his team have created a 10-stage B2B strategicmarketing program dubbed, 'Together Works', which is being rolled outthroughout 2009. The plan is geared to helping Israeli diamantaires andIsrael's trading partners throughout the world. Avidar said, "IDI isproviding tools necessary to help diamond companies survive and even thriveduring these difficult times. Our message is clear: The Israeli DiamondIndustry reaches out to its international trading partners. By workingtogether we can all benefit."

So far IDI has launched four stages of 'Together Works,' with thelatest inaugurated on May 31, 2009 at a press conference at the JCK Show inLas Vegas, the largest jewellery trade show for the U.S. market.

With this stage IDI is making use of the power of social networksand Web 2.0 to promote Israeli diamonds. At the press conference IDIpreviewed 38 video spots especially created for YouTube. In addition, theInstitute said that IDI was actively using social networks such as Twitterand Facebook, and has gone online with The Israeli Diamond Industry blog.This is in addition to its flagship diamond portal in English, Chinese,Russian and Hebrew. IDI's plan is to develop an online B2B community whichwill create a place for the industry to share ideas and communicate directlywith Ramat Gan.

Earlier stages of 'Together Works' launched a major print andonline advertising campaign in leading trade publications and websites.Moreover, in the United States IDI introduced a 24/7 toll-free number,1-888-42-WORKS, for ongoing and new clients to reach out with their immediatediamond needs. These are uploaded in real time to IDI's online portal and allIsraeli diamond companies will receive text messages updating them on the newdemands. IDI also launched "CALL ASIA", a unique call centre that initiatesdirect contact with a massive database of Asian B2B diamond buyers everyweek to ask for their specific diamond needs. Here too the information isinstantly uploaded on to the IDI portal and Israeli diamond suppliers arenotified by text message.

As a further benefit to diamond partners in the United States,IDI has launched a new seasonal magazine, Reflections - Diamonds. Fashion.Trends. Clearly. Reflections focuses on the latest in styles, trends, andcelebrity jewellery. It is distributed free of charge as a handout forcustomers to over 10,000 retailers in the United States in order to boostdiamond sales. Reflections can also be accessed online through IDI's portalsite at http://www.israelidiamond.co.il/Reflections.

Source: http://www.merinews.com/

TAITRA Features Recession Beating Global B2B Tools on Taiwantrade

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) features recession beating B2B tools on Taiwantrade. Designed to meet the rapidly changing requirements of global trading during challenging times, Taiwantrade provides instant access to B2B commerce tools to international small and medium enterprises who are members. Taiwantrade is going to launch a promotion to offer free memberships and elite bonus to all worldwide suppliers and buyers next week.

Essential tools include an electronic bulletin board showcases numerous buy and sell business opportunities posted by Taiwantrade members from around the world, and alerts for new products, biz exchange trade leads, new suppliers, special offers, and trade-related news. Taiwantrade also provides an extensive business and trade database. A personalized homepage will highlight exactly the information that was specified while signing up as a member.

Taiwanese companies play a major global role in supplying the world’s requirements in sectors such as electronics, communications, computers, auto parts, and motorcycles. Associations representing these industries work closely with Taiwantrade to enable global buyers and suppliers to obtain the latest information on products and manufacturing services offered by these Taiwanese enterprises.

In 2008, TAITRA organized 28 international trade shows, provided services to 10,072 local and foreign exhibitors. TAITRA updated a domestic suppliers' database that features more than 240,000 companies, and established a foreign buyers' database that includes more than 1.12 million companies. TAITRA provided enterprise-portal services over 30,000 companies, compiled 240,000 pieces of new electronic product catalogs, initiated 706,600 trade leads, and racked up 7,668,176 visits to the Taiwantrade and TAITRA websites. TAITRA also sponsored 68 promotional seminars concerning eMarketing, increased foreign company members by 27,364, and organized 23 international online trade shows. Plus, TAITRA arranged 915 purchasing tours for foreign buyers to come to Taiwan.

Mr. Yuen-Chuan Chao, the President and CEO of TAITRA stated that “The e-Procurement Site service of Taiwantrade helped foreign buyers and sellers create 54 global business transactions in 2008, of which value reached up to US$800 million. We are redoubling our efforts in 2009 to overcome the challenges of the difficult times. Taiwantrade is a major component in our strategies.”

With the B2B commerce tools on Taiwantrade, it has never been easier for worldwide buyers and sellers to locate online vital global trade information that exponentially increases business opportunities.

About Taiwantrade

Taiwantrade is an interactive e-business portal designed to provide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with immediate access to B2B e-commerce activities, and to help them gain a digital edge over their competitors worldwide. Backed by a wealth of trade promotion resources and strong support from different trade and industry associations, e-marketplaces, and popular trade websites, Taiwantrade offers the utmost online trade and promotion services. Taiwantrade is sponsored by the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and administered by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council.

Source: http://www.businesswire.com/