Q2 2025 apparel industry review: technology investments and strategic recalibration amid tariffs

The second quarter of 2025 saw the global fashion industry contending with the direct fallout from sweeping US trade tariffs, a development that dominated strategic planning and financial performance. Following the initial shock of President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcements in April, the sector entered a period of intense recalibration, marked by a stark polarisation between struggling mid-market players and consolidating giants, all while navigating a cautious consumer landscape.