Originally published on Best Stocks Category: best stocks to buy nowThe textile industry is massive. It’s fragmented and competitive but also resilient and interesting. Demand for natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and hemp continues to expand in response to growing concerns around sustainability and social responsibility among consumers. We know the apparel industry has been facing headwinds from an oversaturation of fast-fashion brands that sell cheap clothing at high prices. However, those difficulties have led to opportunities for investors willing to look past the panic and dig a little deeper into individual stocks in this space. Kontoor Brands (KTB) Kontor Brands is a global textile manufacturing company that produces bath and bedding textiles. In addition, the company is growing its portfolio of products by acquiring other bath and bedding textile companies. Kontor is headquartered in New York and has two manufacturing facilities in Brazil, one in the U.S. and a presence in Europe and Asia. While the company has a sturdy base in the bath and bedding market, it also has a growing presence in the home textile business. That opens up Kontor to some of the fastest-growing segments of the textile industry. Kontor has expanded its home textile business in the past year by acquiring three companies specializing in woven and printed textiles for furniture and home decor. The growth in this business segment has led to increased sales and profit for Kontor. That could continue as the company expands its reach into new categories and geographies. Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM) Columbia Sportswear is one of the world’s largest branded outdoor apparel and sportswear companies. The company has been offering nature-based products and apparel for over 50 years. Columbia’s products include jackets, footwear, bags, and accessories. Columbia’s products can be found in various retail channels, including Columbia’s website, Amazon, and Columbia’s store at the Portland International Airport. Columbia’s products are designed for specific conditions. The company has developed several technologies that keep its customers warm or dry when they are outdoors. For example, Columbia’s Omni-Heat technology uses thermal insulation to keep customers warm when they are outdoors in cold temperatures. Columbia has a strong brand in the outdoor apparel and footwear segment. The company’s products are sold through more than 4,000 retail stores in the U.S. Columbia also sells its products through its website. The company’s products are also available for purchase on Amazon. Crocs (CROX) Crocs designs and manufactures shoes and sandals for men, women, children, and healthcare workers. The company has recently diversified its product offerings to include more sophisticated designs and materials. Crocs also partner with other brands to design and produce co-branded footwear and other products such as bags and travel accessories. Crocs have three segments — footwear, sandals, and others. The footwear segment is the company’s largest and accounts for more than two-thirds of the company’s revenue. Crocs’ footwear segment is responsible for most of the company’s profit. The footwear segment includes a wide variety of casual shoes, such as sneakers, slip-on sandals, ballerinas, and boots. These shoes are made with several different materials, including: Steven Madden (SHOO) Steven Madden is one of the largest footwear companies in North America. The company designs, manufacture, and sells branded footwear and accessories for women, men, and kids. The company also designs and produces private-label footwear for other brands. Steven Madden sells its products through more than 1,700 retail stores across the U.S. and Canada. The company also sells its products online on its website and on Amazon. Steven Madden has a wide variety of branded footwear, including athletic shoes, sandals, boots, cleats, and more. The company’s footwear is available in various styles and designs, including slip-on and lace-up shoes, casual sandals, athletic and running shoes, casual boots, and more. Conclusion Textiles are a huge industry that touches everyone in some way. It’s one of the oldest industries on the planet and has continued to evolve. Although it is a fragmented and competitive industry, there are still plenty of opportunities for investors willing to do the research. As consumers become more conscious of where their clothes come from, sustainability issues, and ethical treatment of workers, there will be opportunities to grow. These opportunities will come from declining certain segments and the continued demand for natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and hemp.