• Fashion, Industry and Education
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.24-34
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• 2016

This research examined two decades of the U.S. used clothing exports to the world. All countries (209) were classified into four groups based on the level of economic development. Between 1996 and 2012, U.S. used clothing exports shifted away from low-income economies to high-income economies. For the first time, our research demonstrated that the majority of used clothing discarded by American consumers is exported to high-income economies instead of poorest nations of the world. Next, used clothing exports and imports by volume and value in seven high-income countries were analyzed. The high-income countries not only exported but also imported significant amount of used clothing, which indicates a growing demand for worn apparel in developed nations. The demand might be at least partially attributed to the popular vintage clothing trend and increasing consumer environmentalism. Implications regarding development and implementation of a new classification system of worn clothing and recommendations for future research are presented.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.149-165
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• 2000

This study concerns the export-import demands for Korean textile, textile products and clothing products. The result from the practice of study is as follows ; it predicts the constant increase as a result of prediction in the nation's total amount of export-import including the export-import amount of textile, textile-product, and clothing product. It is estimated that nation's textile trade balance will be about U $ 13 billion of trade surplus in every year from 2000 to 2003. Other hand, the trade balance of textile product is predicted about U $ 1.39 billion surplus, so is clothing product about U $ 3.29 billion surplus. Textile ratio is presumed to gradually decrease in aspect of export. Also, the portion of textile export in our national total export is predicted to reduce to 11.61% in the 2003. On the other hand, Textile import ratio will be constantly increased and the portion of textile import in our national total import is predicted to reach to 3.92% in 2003. Textile-product ratio is also estimated to increase in the area of export & 33.12% in 2003. Clothing product ratio is also estimated to increase annually. What with increasing ratio of clothing-product export in textile-product export reaching to total 0.87% within for 4 years(62.96% in 2003, 63.83% in 2003) and what with increasing ratio of clothing-product import in textile-product import reaching to total 6.42%(83.89% in 2000, 90.31% in 2003), it can be said that increase of its import will be much higher than that of export.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.889-900
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was; to investigate consumers'selection criteria for their trade area when purchasing apparel products; to study whether there is a difference on the importance of the selection criteria; to examine consumers'willingness to visit specific trade area according to the types of apparel products. Four hundred sixty-nine female consumers who lived in the two new towns, Bundang and Ilsan participated in the study by completing questionnaires. Data were analyzed using factor analyses, t-tests, paired t-teats and chi-square analyses. The results indicated that consumer selected trade area based on shop variety within trade areas and range of products, customer services, environment of trade area, price level, entertaining features of the trade area, and the convenience of location and shopping time. In addition, the importance of these criteria varied according to the types of apparel products(i.e. formal wears and casual wears). The types of apparel products had influence on consumers'willingness to visit specific trade area. Consumers preferred the trade areas in the new towns for purchasing formal wears, whereas they frequented the trade areas in Seoul for purchasing casual wears.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.158-175
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to understand and improve the clothing habits and the apparel industry of North Korea in preparation for the reunification of South and North Korea. For this study, literary data, reports, periodicals, interviews and internet data of the two Koreas were reviewed. North Korean clothing habits used to be monotonous and uniform but nowadays people's clothes have become somewhat brighter in color and more diverse in design than before. In particular, liberal and individual dressing habits appeared among the privileged classes. When taking part in national events, women have to wear the traditional Korean costume, Hanbok, while men wear business suits for formal wear. In general, men don't wear Hanbok. Students have to be in uniforms but blue jeans, T-shirts with English logos were popular among them reflecting their sensitivity and openness towards western cultures. The brides usually wear pink Hanboks and the bridegrooms wear black business suits for their wedding. North Koreans also wear Hanbok on national holidays like South Koreans. Clothing is the most important item in the trade of process commission between North and South Korea. Trading items are mid to low end men's clothing for the most part due to less emphasis on fashion in the North. The processing is indirect trade and composed of sample making and contracting, sending out materials and production, carrying in goods and setting accounts. To activate South-North trade, establishment of infrastructure, stabilization of shipping, reducing high costs of distribution, building direct communication system by setting up office in a neutral zone and simplifying procedures in applying for the South and North Korea Economic Cooperation Fund. On the other hand, clothing and textiles education is carried on at art colleges, light industries colleges and commercial colleges in Pyongyang. Clothing institutes which study Hanbok and Western clothes, are installed in each city and province. Graduates who majored in clothing and textiles are posted in institutes or apparel factories. Their job is designing, patternmaking and sewing for their customers. Most of them are women and in good state of economic conditions. The North Korean clothing industry has been the core national industry that has developed based on overseas demand form the mid 1980s. The standard is that of South Korea in the early 1980s. In 1999, trade of North Korean textile products with trade counterparts such as Japan and China was $1.3 million in exports and $1.27 in imports. Of this amount the export takes up 25.4% of the total exports in North Korea. However, fundamentally even in sectors that are irrelevant to politics such as the fashion clothing industry, trust between the South and North should be a prerequisite. Only through this can exchange between North and South and economic cooperation contribute towards the reunification.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.167-182
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• 2013

The purposes of this study were to identify dimensions of shopping orientation and preferences of fashion trade areas, to test differences in the preference factors and usage levels of fashion trade areas as determined by shopping orientation and demographic characteristics. Questionnaires were administered to 406 adults in their twenties and thirties visited major fashion trade area in Seoul. The results of the study were as follows. First, five groups were identified based on shopping orientation: combined value-oriented group, convenience-oriented group, hedonic value trend-oriented group, economic-value oriented group and brand-oriented group. Second, the most frequently visited trade area was Myungdong, and there were significant differences in the usage levels of the trade areas except Dongdaemun, Samsung station COEX, Jamsil and Gangnam Express Bus Terminal among the groups determined by shopping orientation. Sinsa Garosoogil, Apgujeong Chungdam and Samsung Station COEX were preferred by hedonic value trend-oriented group. Daehakro and Myungdong were preferred by combined value-oriented group and convenience-oriented group. Third, significant differences were also found in all groups in the preference factors of the trade area as determined by shopping orientation groups when purchasing clothing. Forth, female preferred Gangnam Express Bus Station and Jamsil than male did. Those who in their early twenties preferred Daehakro and Myungdong the most and those who in early thirties and late twenties concerned service policy the most. The results imply that the consumers tend to visit the nearest fashion trade area by their residence(or work, school) and consider the location and accessibility of the trade area as the most important factor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.462-473
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• 2008

In recent years, Korea's apparel exports to the USA have faced a great threat, as the trade environment around the world has changed continually. The purpose of this study is to analyze the competitive position of Korean apparel exports to the USA, and to enhance export competitiveness by applying to offshore sourcing. The trade data of the Office of Textiles and Apparel(OTEXA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce were selected for inquiry about export competitiveness of apparel products made in Korea. In addition, we targeted members of the Korea Apparel Industry Association among the 500 exporters of clothing items in "The Import and Export Textile Product 2003." A total 70 sheets were analyzed. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Korean apparel exports to USA have decreased by 20-35 percent per year since 2005 under the Free Trade Area, showing that Korean apparel industries have not adapted to the new trade environment. Although Korean apparel exports to USA have indicated a trade surplus from now on, Korean apparel industries should find new ways to overcome this situation, diminishing exports and increasing imports. 2) Korean apparel companies selected more offshore sourcing than domestic sourcing. Also, as Korean apparel companies manufactured apparel products offshore, foreign subcontracting outranked manufacturing in their own foreign plants. When they chose foreign countries to source, they turned mainly to China and Vietnam. Also, they considered the target country's manufacturing price, labor stability, apparel products, quality, lead time, and so on. In order to increase apparel exports, Korean apparel industries should focus more on developing competitively new apparel products, improving the ability of sourcing management, and establishing on-the-spot agencies.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.2359-2364
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• 2011

E-commerce is a kind of trade type between buyers and sellers rely on computer networks. Carried out according to certain standards of various business activities. e-commerce is based on modern information technology and network technology, financial electronic collection, management, information technology, business and trade information networks into one, aimed at logistics, capital flow and information flow of harmony and unity of the new trade, trade activities of the entire process, electronic, networking and digital. E-commerce has brought to the traditional ways of trading a huge impact, led to changes in economic structures, is a business revolution in the way and is recognized internationally as the 21st century is an important driver of economic development compared to current traditional companies. In this material, we first consider the current problem, analyze particular characteristics of clothing shopping mall to increase the purchasing power of customer. For these reasons, we describe the process for building the clothing site.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.107-118
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• 2014

Purpose - Due to the recent slowdown of growth in global luxury brands, which have been an engine of our domestic fashion market growth, there is an increasing need to develop a global market for domestic high-priced fashion brands. In spite of the large scale of trade between Korea and China with respect to fashion products, current trade concentrates on middle- and low-priced products rather than high-priced products. Diversification of the trade between Korea and China in terms of the price levels of trade products is needed. An understanding of Chinese consumption values and purchase intentions for luxury fashion brands will be very helpful for the establishment of strategies with the aim of increasing the level of trade with regard to high-priced fashion products. Therefore, the study aimed to identify the differences in the clothing consumption values of South Korean and Chinese women in their 20s, especially with reference to how those values affect their preference and purchase intention for luxury fashion brands. Research design, data, methodology - The study was implemented through a descriptive survey method using a self-administered questionnaire. The sample consisted of 283 Korean and 306 Chinese women in their 20s, residing in Seoul, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Data were collected from March 3 to 15, 2014. A total of 589 completed responses were analyzed. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, t-test, and multiple regression analysis. Results - Fivefactors for clothing consumption values were formulated: conspicuous/social value, fashionability value, personality expression value, hedonic value, and practical value. There were significant differences between Korean and Chinese consumers in clothing consumption values (except social value), preference, and purchase intention for luxury fashion brands. With regard to clothing consumption values, Chinese women attached more importance to fashionability value, personality expression value, hedonic value, and practical value than South Korean women. In addition, Chinese women's preference and purchase intention for luxury fashion brands were higher than South Korean women's. Second, in the case of South Korean women, social value, practical value, and fashionability value had positive effects on preferences for luxury fashion brands, while attractive/personality expression value and hedonic value had no influence. In contrast, in the case of Chinese women, social value and fashionability value had positive effects on preference for the luxury fashion brands. Third, in the case of South Korean women, social value and practical value had positive effects on purchase intentions for luxury fashion brands. In contrast, in the case of Chinese women, social value, personality expression value, and fashionability value had positive effects on purchase intention for luxury fashion brands. Conclusions - Considering the findings of the study, it is clear that differentiated marketing strategies are needed for luxury fashion brand markets in Korea and China. The results of the study could provide useful information that will help increase the effectiveness of luxury fashion brand marketing strategies in Korea and China.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.588-595
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness levels of Korean textile companies and develop appropriate response plans for the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement. Through such, the study aims to explore practical and realistic directions that the Korean textile industry must take in the future. As for the research method, a survey on the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement was conducted to 50 Korean textile companies which mainly deal in textile exports. Results showed that Korean textile companies possess above average awareness for the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement and carry the perception that the FTA has thus far had a positive effect of market revitalization and contributions to sales. Nonetheless, perceptions on the needs for the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement and level of awareness were below average while government assistance seen to be unsatisfactory. Such results suggest that measures for successful access to the U.S. market require developing products customized for the U.S. market and creating new market opportunities by participating in U.S. exhibits and shows. In addition, textile companies must develop their abilities for self-sustainability through continuous FTA related programs provided by government in addition to investing efforts to understand global markets within companies through response measures on the FTA as a whole.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.770-787
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• 2021

This study examines the types of cotton, silk, and woollen products imported from Japan during the port-opening period and explores the characteristics of import trade related to these textile products. Data were obtained from the Japanese trade statistics published by the Japanese government between the late 19^th and the early 20^th centuries. Several key findings were made from these data. First, at least 24 types of cotton fabrics, 13 silk fabrics, and 16 woollen fabrics imported from Japan were identified. Several types of weaves that can be found in the present day were also identified. Second, the total import of textiles during the port-opening period made up 33.7% of the total imports from Japan, indicating that textiles were an important aspect of import trade with Japan. The value of textile imports from Japan tended to increase overall during this time. Cotton fabrics and silk fabrics showed a tendency to increase continuously, while woollen fabrics showed a trend of gradual increase over repeating periods of increase and decrease. It is apparent from examining the ratio of Japanese and foreign products that cotton fabrics, silk fabrics, and woollen fabrics show different characteristics.