The president-elect’s anti-corruption pledge and promise to fund training programs gives Mexican apparel and textile firms hope they can turn around their fortunes.

The $138 million deal will see Linio become the site for marketing the group’s department store, home improvement and supermarket divisions.

The turmoil in the Central American country is causing American fashion brands to review their sourcing of apparel from the entire region.

Vietnam’s lead and growing market share of U.S. apparel imports is causing panic in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Elections in key markets such as Mexico and Brazil could unsettle consumers and dent an expected increase in retail sales.

Mexican executives say there has been no letup in the amount of illegally imported apparel from Asia.

Thor Urbana’s developments include malls in Tijuana and in the beach resort town of Riviera Nayarit.

The Brazilian textile and apparel industries are forecast to grow by close to 11 percent in 2018 as the economy improves.

After shuttering 40,000 stores in the last few years, Brazil’s fashion retailers are expected to rebound in 2018, although uncertainties remain.

Estimates for lost retail sales over the next year because of Hurricanes Irma and Maria range up to $15 billion, according to experts.

The agreement for the review is aimed at keeping the Tariff Preference Level to source key clothing feedstocks in place.

Apparel manufacturers are struggling against lost orders as a result of the disaster, however.

Many stores remain fully or partially closed as the city continues to dig out from the devastating quake.

Sales in some stores have fallen by half since the attacks that killed 13 people.

The AFL-CIO alleges the illegal factories employ workers in sub-standard conditions.