All posts by James Cannon

About James Cannon

James Cannon is an experienced hedge fund analyst. He has served on the advisory boards for various different Fortune 500 companies as well as serving as an adjunct professor of finance. James Cannon has written for a variety of Financial Magazines both on and off line. Contact James at james[at]businessdistrict.com

Sustainability in the textile industry

The textile industry is increasingly turning to sustainable materials and innovative production methods to address the environmental challenges posed by fast fashion. As BEXIMCO’s Ahmed Shahryar Rahman said, “we are proud to lead in advanced material technology, and other sustainability practices by integrating cutting-edge sustainable practices into its operations.”

Innovative Sustainable Materials

Many companies are now exploring eco-friendly alternatives to traditional textiles. They are looking for materials that are fast-growing or a renewable resource, plant fibers that can be grown without negative environmental impact from pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, and ways to recycle materials to repurpose waste.

As President of BEXIMCO’s Textiles, Apparel, and PPE divisions, Ahmed Shahryar Rahman has explained that the company has committed to exploring and implementing as many sustainable measures as they can in economic, social, and environmental spheres.  

In their creation of textiles, BEXIMCO is pioneering the use of hemp fiber, recognized for its environmental benefits. Their patented electrical cottonised hemp process enhances the usability of hemp fibers, allowing them to overcome the traditional limitations of hemp’s coarse texture and poor spinnability. Additionally, this innovation offers environmental advantages because hemp requires substantially less water and pesticides compared to other natural fibers and presents a resilient alternative in the context of climate change.

Beyond hemp, BEXIMCO has expanded its sustainable material portfolio by utilizing recycled and biodegradable materials. The company incorporates biodegradable synthetic fibers and recycled polyester made from post-consumer waste like plastic bottles and textile scraps, which directly reduces landfill contributions and resource consumption. Recycled polyester can be further recycled through mechanical or chemical processes at the end of its life, while bio-based polyester uses renewable feedstocks like crops or bio-waste instead of petroleum.

Advanced Production Methods

Sustainability in the fashion industry extends beyond material selection. It requires transparency. Consumers need to trust that materials are sourced where companies say they are sourced, and that the fibers are being produced in ethical and sustainable ways.

The company FibreTrace works with over 60 suppliers of cotton, recycled polyester, viscose, wool, and leather and combines physical tracers with real-time digital monitoring to provide transparency and traceability in the textile industry. They work with companies like Target, Cargill, Reformation, 7 For All Mankind, and many others including BEXIMCO.

For BEXIMCO, FibreTrace provides traceability for their GOTS-certified organic cotton supply chain which is grown with low environmental impact methods that maintain soil fertility and reduce pesticide use and have achieved certification from the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). All of this ensures that consumers can verify the origins of their products, enhancing trust and accountability. Ahmed Shahryar Rahman has said that the company is searching for other ways to integrate this kind of technology into other aspects of their textile production as well.

By integrating these advanced sustainable practices, BEXIMCO demonstrates how large-scale textile manufacturers can reduce environmental impact while meeting growing consumer demand for ethical fashion. The company’s approach serves as a model for sustainable textile production, balancing technological innovation with environmental responsibility and setting new standards in the industry.

The WNBA Revolution: Unprecedented Growth in 2024 Season

This past season, the WNBA saw unprecedented growth in viewership, attendance, and player endorsements. The league’s regular season viewership soared to an average of 1.19 million viewers across ESPN platforms, marking a staggering 170% increase from the previous year. This surge in popularity was reflected in attendance figures, with the league averaging 9,807 fans per game, up 48% from the 2023 season.

The increased visibility has translated into more lucrative endorsement deals for players. Angel Reese, for instance, recently signed a multi-year contract extension with Reebok, including plans for a signature shoe in 2026. This deal places her among an elite group of only six active WNBA players with signature shoe contracts, compared to over 30 active players in the NBA.

The WNBA also partnered with Kim Kardashian’s brand SKIMS as the “official underwear of the WNBA.” The campaign included basketball legends like Candace Parker and Cameron Brink, as well as DiJonai Carrington, Kelsey Plum, and Skylar Diggins-Smith.  

Despite the league’s growth, player salaries remain a point of contention. The current collective bargaining agreement provides for a rookie minimum salary of $64,154 and a veteran supermax of $241,984. In response to the league’s success, the WNBA Players Association has opted out of the current CBA, aiming to negotiate better compensation and benefits that reflect the sport’s growth. To further underscore its upward trajectory, the league’s expansion plans include increasing the number of regular season games to 44, and adding new teams including the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco in 2025, and two others coming to Toronto and Portland in 2026. With record-breaking social media engagement and a 413% increase in WNBA social media interactions in addition to the increases in viewership and game attendance, the stage is set for continued growth in the 2025 season.

Disney Parks’ Holiday Transformation Drives Year-End Success

Every year, Disney’s theme parks undergo a six-week transformation as they transition from Halloween to the winter holiday season. This change, planned over 12 months, begins about two weeks before Halloween with crews working overnight to maintain the parks’ magical atmosphere during operating hours.

The seasonal shift from autumn-themed decorations to holiday adornments has proven to be a significant revenue driver for Disney. The experiences division, which includes parks, cruises, hotels, and consumer products, reported revenue of $9.13 billion for October – December 2023, which was notably higher than other quarters’ earnings of $7-8.3 billion.

Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort offer unique holiday experiences while maintaining their distinct character. Walt Disney World features Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the new Jollywood Nights, while Disneyland is known for its extensive holiday ride overlays, including “it’s a small world” Holiday. Both destinations showcase sparkling ornamented trees, festive character costumes, limited-time food and beverage options, exclusive merchandise, and special entertainment by mid-November.

Over time, the transformation has evolved to include light shows and projection mappings. The parks have also embraced cultural inclusivity through events like EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays. Disney’s sustainability efforts have intensified in recent years with energy-efficient lighting and eco-friendly decorations. This combination of tradition and innovation has been successful in encouraging visitors to make annual traditions and repeat visits. Particularly from local parkgoers, the holiday season typically sees increased attendance which helps makes it one of Disney’s most successful periods.

Mountain Dew Joins the Retro Revolution

A wave of nostalgia is sweeping through corporate America as major brands return to their roots, with Mountain Dew becoming the latest to embrace retro-inspired design. The beverage giant announced its first major brand refresh since 2009, planning to “reclaim the mountain” with a visual identity that harkens back to its 76-year heritage.

This strategic pivot to vintage-inspired branding reflects a broader industry trend. Pepsi recently ditched its modern logo for a simplified design that echoes its past, while Burger King recently made headlines by eliminating the blue swoop it added in 1999 in favor of a more classic look. Coca-Cola has been consistently leveraging its heritage, featuring its iconic script logo and vintage-inspired packaging across campaigns. Even in the fashion sector, Levi’s has amplified its historical appeal, while sportswear giants Adidas and Nike regularly release retro-inspired collections that capitalize on decades-old designs.

The attraction to vintage aesthetics isn’t just about looking backward. According to Umi Patel, VP of consumer insights and analytics at PepsiCo Beverages North America, the nostalgic approach has tested particularly well with Generation Z and millennial consumers. Mountain Dew’s new design incorporates elements from its past, including the reintegration of the word “mountain” and a nod to its founding date of 1948, when it was created as a mixer in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. The updated logo also hints at this and utilizes vintage travel poster-inspired mountain imagery, and citrus-themed colors evocative of the brand’s outdoor heritage.

This trend toward heritage-inspired branding reflects consumers’ desire for authenticity and familiarity in an increasingly digital world. As brands compete for attention in a crowded marketplace, the strategic use of nostalgia has emerged as a powerful tool for creating emotional connections with consumers while maintaining brand relevance for future generations.

FTC Takes New Steps to Protect Consumers and Fair Competition

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has implemented a new rule to protect consumers and promote fair competition. Now in effect, the rule bans the sale and purchase of deceptive reviews, granting the FTC authority to impose civil penalties against knowing violators.

Customer reviews are essential for small businesses to build credibility and increase sales and reviews that aren’t real erode consumer trust, harm businesses dependent on authentic feedback, and leave small businesses vulnerable to unfair negative reviews from bad actors.

According to FTC Chair Lina Khan, such reviews harm consumers by misleading them and unfairly disadvantaging honest competitors. She noted that the regulation seeks to enhance transparency and promote a fair, trustworthy marketplace.

This new rule by the FTC specifically prohibits reviews and testimonials attributed to non-existent individuals, generated by artificial intelligence, or written by people with no real experience using the product or service. It also bars businesses from creating or purchasing fake reviews and prevents employees or insiders from posting misleading testimonials.

Companies caught engaging in these practices—whether by buying fake reviews, issuing baseless legal threats, or using intimidation tactics—will face penalties. This move aims to deter unethical businesses from manipulating public perception while leveling the playing field for legitimate competitors.

Consumers can report suspicious activity and violations directly to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

This regulation reflects the FTC’s ongoing efforts to enhance accountability and restore consumer trust in the online marketplace, ensuring businesses compete fairly and honestly.