France between defense and recovery

Between the law against the ultra fast fashion. Moreover, a (relative) fall of mergers and acquisitions and persistent deindustrialization, the first six months of 2025 were somewhat agitated and tinged with alert signals for the French textile sector.

“A turning point against disposable fashion”: France regulates ultra fast fashion – France between defense recovery

Adopted in early June. Furthermore, the new French law against ultra fast fashion marks a “historic turn”, in the words of the Minister of Ecological Transition. Moreover, Voted by a large majority. Furthermore, this law aims to brake the massive imports of low -cost and very short lifespan, such as those offered by Shein or Temu platforms. Furthermore, According to Les Echos. Nevertheless, the text provides for a fine of 5 to 10 euros per product, up to 50 % of the tax excluding tax in the event of a recurrence. Moreover, The objective is france between defense recovery to “defuse the economic model of disposable textiles” and to protect the more virtuous local sectors.

The first concrete applications are expected for the second half of 2025, with reinforced monitoring of import volumes and marketing practices.

The engine role of France in global fashion – France between defense recovery

The president of the UFIMT. Therefore, Yann Rivoallan, notably praised the new Anti-Fast Fashion law as a major turning point. Furthermore, “It is a strong signal sent to our European partners. Meanwhile, to the rest of the world,” he said during an interview for Le Figaro, in June 2025. Similarly, “We cannot let European textile be overwhelmed by production practices with a disastrous social and environmental impact. France plays here a pioneer role. »»

This leading position is also strengthened thanks to large French luxury groups. Although the heart of the French textile industry is struggling. the giants like LVMH, Hermès and Kering continue to france between defense recovery support and develop hexagonal know-how. According to a study by the French Fashion Institute. these groups have massively invested in the relocation of high -end production, as well as in the training of craftsmen. “These are the guarantors of our excellence. the attractiveness of Made in France on an international scale,” added Yann Rivoallan, stressing the crucial role of this sector in the influence of the sector.

Industrial fabric to protect

Despite the relocation ambitions, the observation remains not very exciting. “Less than 10 % of clothes sold in France are actually produced. ” recalls the firm Pragma Études in a note relayed by Les Echos. The hexagonal textile sector has approximately 2. 400 companies and 58,550 employees, indicated the Union of Textile Industries in December 2023, but the majority of them are SMEs exposed to strong international competition. In question, high production costs, recruitment difficulties, but also the increase france between defense recovery in the price of energy and raw materials.

Fall of mergers – acquisitions: between normalization. market correction

According to the latest semi-annual report of the PwC firm, the number of merger-acquisition in fashion operations fell by 26 % between January and May 2025, going from 35 to 26 deals worldwide. Despite some emblematic acquisitions. including Skechers, Palm Angels or Versace, financial investors are increasingly selective, concentrated on high notoriety brands or assets offering solid cash flows.

However, this drop must be put into perspective. It occurs after an exceptionally active 2024 year, marked by unprecedented strategic consolidation in the sector.

A report of Strategic Intelligence for 2024 indicates that the clothing market has totaled 304 M&A operations. an increase of 7 % in volume, for an overall value of $ 22 billion, a growth of 90 % compared to 2023. This dynamic was carried by mega-operations like Essilorluxottica-Acquisition of Supreme france between defense recovery or Kering- Valentino. A larger global assessment. according to McKinsey, confirms this dynamic: in 2024, the value of transactions greater than 25 million increased by 12 %, despite an overall volume of operations up 8 % (7,784 deals worldwide).

The sector is in the waiting phase. Large operations are postponed. One seems to value more internal assets and brands with a strong CSR promise, rather than growth by external extension.

On the program for the second half

The next six months promise to be decisive. The effective application of the law against ultra fast fashion. the advancement of the European Stitchtogether project (and its Paris declaration), as well as the potential revival of investments are to be followed closely. Additionally, The sector could benefit from new targeted aid or support measures for training and retraining. Because behind the speeches on innovation. circularity, the question of the survival of a whole france between defense recovery part of French industry is also played out.