Materials Price Outlook | Aug 2026
Synthetic fiber prices level off, while natural fiber prices continue to rise.
MARKET TRACKER | RETAIL
/ Higher oil and energy costs are expected to squeeze discretionary spending in key markets, putting apparel and other non-essential retail under pressure in Q2.
High energy costs are expected to dampen real retail spending in the North America, the UK, the euro area, Japan and (to a lesser extent) China in Q2, but forecasters mostly see soft growth rather than a collapse, with apparel and discretionary retail under the most pressure.
What could cushion markets?
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