Recently, a reporter from China Network and Binhai High-tech visited the Da Hutong Clothing Wholesale Market and several other clothing markets in Nankai District. They found that many merchants had temporarily closed their doors. According to local vendors, cotton prices have surged to record highs, significantly impacting downstream garment manufacturers and wholesalers. As a result, numerous clothing companies have halted production, while wholesale traders are avoiding the market, leading to widespread closures. A few days ago, the reporter visited several wholesale markets in Da Hutong and observed that even in the first month of the year, many shops remained shut. One clothing wholesaler explained that many nearby businesses were not opening due to rising costs. "It's too expensive to buy from the suppliers now, and it's not worth it anymore," he said. Mr. Chen, a garment merchant on Binjiang Road, who usually sources fabrics from Fujian and Guangdong, mentioned that this year’s price hikes have been dramatic. "Previously, a unit price of 100 yuan was good to take, but now it's hard to find anything at that rate," he said. He also noted that many factories have stopped production, and the high prices haven't even reached the consumer level yet. Industry experts suggest that this round of rising clothing prices is linked to the sharp increase in cotton prices last year. Cotton prices jumped from around 16,000 yuan to approximately 32,000 yuan. In January this year, the price rebounded strongly, reaching a record high of 34,870 yuan. Throughout this period, textile and garment companies hesitated to purchase raw materials. Whenever they tried to buy, prices continued to rise, causing a major spike in production costs. Many businesses were forced to either absorb the losses or shut down entirely. According to a well-known brand clothing company based in Binjiang Commercial Building, the transmission of raw material price increases to the retail market typically takes 6 to 9 months. It is expected that this spring will see a clear upward trend in clothing prices, with even higher increases expected in summer and autumn. To cope with these challenges, clothing companies can focus on building strong brands, enhancing product positioning, optimizing sales channels, and improving after-sales services. These strategies can help reduce the impact of rising raw material costs and strengthen the overall resilience of the business. (Reporter: Li Ge)