Vietnam

In case you haven't seen or heard the news yet, Urban Outfitters is embroiled in yet another controversy. The apparel retailer decided it was a good idea to sell a red-stained, seemingly blood-splattered "Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt" on its website. The university in Kent, Ohio was the site of a deadly confrontation between students protesting the Vietnam War and the Ohio National Guard. Four students were killed and nine others were wounded on a fateful day in May 1970. Yet Urban Outfitters thought it was wise to make light — and a few bucks, the sweatshirt sold for a mere $129 — of the situation.

Early in the wee hours of the morning, Urban Outfitters found itself caught in yet another clothing controversy in the form of a "vintage" Kent State sweatshirt. The shirt appears to be splattered with what many Twitter users presumed to be blood, referencing the 1970 shooting at the Ohio university. Four students were killed and nine others were injured when an Army National Guard Unit shot at students protesting the Vietnam War.

Avon Products Inc., the world’s largest door-to-door cosmetics seller, will cut about 1,500 jobs globally and exit South Korea and Vietnam as part of a plan to save $400 million by the end of 2015. The steps will result in pretax costs of about $80 million to $90 million, with $50 million to $60 million recorded in the fourth quarter, the company said yesterday. Chief Executive Officer Sheri McCoy, who took over in April, announced the cost-cutting goal last month and said she would lower the company's dividend as it works to recover from three years of declining profit.

Thousands have factory jobs in American Apparel's downtown Los Angeles plant. CEO Dov Charney wants it all made in America. But recently he's talked of importing. 

A Federal District Court in Washington, D.C. unsealed a case against retailers accused of transshipping Chinese-made pencils to avoid antidumping duties. The four named defendants are Staples, OfficeMax, Target and Industries for the Blind. The defendants are accused of transshipment of Chinese-made pencils through third countries such as Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam by U.S. importers. The importers would knowingly buy Chinese-made pencils in those countries and claim to U.S. Customs that they originated in those countries. If guilty, the defendants are subject to three times the loss of revenue to the government and a 10 percent duty for false country of origin marking.

MIAMI -- Perry Ellis International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PERY) (“the Company”) today announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with China Outfitters Holdings Limited (HKEx Stock Code: 01146) to develop the Manhattan® brand in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macau. Manhattan, a brand with a rich history dating back 150 years to the original Manhattan Shirt Company, continues to stand for high quality and fashionable men’s shirts and sportswear. George Feldenkreis, Chairman and CEO of Perry Ellis International, commented, “This agreement and expansion into Greater China marks a major milestone for Perry Ellis