Converse

H&M, Nike and others are under pressure from Chinese netizens for their stance on Xinjiang cotton, underscoring the difficult balancing act of doing business when people in the world’s largest markets take radically different views on geopolitical issues.

Adidas, Calvin Klein, Uniqlo and Converse have also lost China spokespeople as Chinese consumers call for a boycott after an uproar about the decision not to source cotton from the Xinjiang region.

As the gap widens between the best-performing companies and the rest, M&A activity will increase as leaders manoeuvre to take market share, unlock new opportunities and expand capabilities.

With parades cancelled and civil rights protests top of mind, many fashion brands are rethinking how they show their support for the LGBTQ community.

With its latest martial arts-inspired collaboration, the brand joins the ranks of Converse, Swarovski and Levi’s as more global players partner with Chinese designers in the hopes of boosting profits. Will it work?