In Brief

Tax policy update: In case you missed it, the Trump administration and Congressional leadership have released a nine-page plan outlining comprehensive reform to both the individual and corporate tax code. Included in the outline is the plan to lower the tax rate for pass-through businesses (small and family-owned) to 25 percent, while also lowering the corporate rate to 20 percent. Leadership in Washington are pushing to get tax reform through Congress and to the President's desk by end of year. Members with any questions or perspectives on how this plan will impact your business should contact Steve Lamar.

AAFA comments on Uzbek forced labor: On October 5, AAFA joined several other organizations in commenting on the Uzbek government decision to recall university students and some health and education workers from forced labor in the cotton fields. While this development is a positive step, AAFA has called for the complete end of government-orchestrated forced labor in Uzbekistan.

Special AAFA member offer for Pantone LLC products: As part of Pantone LLC’s affiliate membership with AAFA we are happy to announce a special discount. Members will receive 15% off products purchased on www.pantone.com by using the AAFA promo code. Login to learn more! Members may also be interested in our on-demand webinar recording "Color Boot Camp" now available in our Learning Center.

Quarterly Market Monitor: Each quarter, AAFA provides members with the Apparel and Footwear Market Monitor. With data by NPD Group, the reports provide AAFA members with critical insights around sales of apparel and footwear products in the U.S. market. They also share data about movements in the market that may impact your business and how you stack up against the competition. Members can download the 2nd Quarter 2017 edition from the Tools & Research section of AAFA's website (AAFA member login required). Stay tuned for the 3rd Quarter report, coming soon.

Feedback requested - what are the skill gaps facing the apparel industry? The apparel industry is being radically reshaped at incredible speed by the forces of technology, globalization and shifting consumer values. The pressure to deliver product better, faster, smarter has never been more extreme. And now organizations are facing unprecedented skill gaps and a changing context for how skills are acquired. Alvanon, along with supporting apparel organizations, is conducting the first ever state of the industry survey about skills required to propel the apparel industry forward. The insight garnered from the industry’s apparel leaders, will be published in 2018 to help inform talent development, business strategies, and address specific skills that employees need to learn.

See all of AAFA’s latest letters, comments, and testimony here.

Congress and government agencies solicit comments on a range of issues that may affect your business – find a list of comment opportunities here.

Back to AAFA Weekly Brief