We work with a lot of branded and private label apparel manufacturers and brand owners, and it’s clear there is a misperception about supply chain complexity in these industries. MORE

To make the argument, let’s look at industry orbit charts in aggregate for the period of 2006-2017 for the apparel and chemical companies. For apparel, it was the transition to cheaper labor in the Asian market. (In In the apparel industry 30-40% of the cost of goods is labor.) MORE

The Seattle e-commerce juggernaut just won a patent for “on-demand apparel manufacturing,” in which machines only start snipping and stitching once an order has been placed, Amazon could wade deeper into developing its own apparel MORE

Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Green Supply Chain Procurement and Sourcing Retail Supply Chain Social Responsibility Strategies for Global Supply Chains Gap supply chain H&M supply chain NRDC Clean by Design practices Supply chain Matters blog Target supply chain MORE

Here’s a roundup of the top recent Environmental Leader articles in these areas. Note that in each article, we’ve tried to dive into the business case from the companies we’re writing about: why are they doing what they’re doing from a financial point of view? Take special note of the detailed Timberland case study , which outlines the specifics on how – and why – to create a sustainable line of clothing. You’ll see more case studies of that type to come. MORE

This past week provided stark reminders for apparel retailers and their suppliers on the realities of chasing the lowest cost producer, and of the blowback to the brand and its consideration of social responsibility. Two different yet disturbing incidents involving suppliers located in the country of Myanmar have came to light. Reuters reported that workers […]. MORE

Our last grouping of predictions focused on unique, industry-specific supply chain challenges, and included apparel and footwear supply chains. Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Global trade trends American Apparel and Footwear Association fast fashion supply chain Supply chain Matters blogEarlier this month, Supply Chain Matters unveiled our 2017 Predictions for Industry and Global Supply Chains (Available for complimentary download in our Research Center). MORE

The apparel industry uniquely combines the characteristics of make-to-stock manufacturing with consumer-driven fashion volatility which can lead to a forecasting nightmare. MORE

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By Jim Tompkins CEO, Tompkins International Listen up, Apparel and Footwear executives! First, the 3 startling facts: Amazon is the number 1 seller of Apparel & Footwear in the US. Amazon has 11 Apparel & The post 3 Startling Facts and 3 Quick Recommendations for Apparel and Footwear Executives appeared first on Tompkins International. Blog Amazon Apparel Footwear Retail SCLF Video MORE

Rejaul is from Bangladesh, and is working on his PhD in the College of Textiles at NC State University, and is passionate on the subject of sustainable apparel from his home country. This week he provided a great set of summaries from the Harvard Conference on “Sustainable Models for the Apparel Industry” held on September 24 at the Harvard Law School. What are the major facts inhibiting the Bangladesh apparel industry in being safe and sustainable? MORE

announced plans to source apparel production within factories in the country of Myanmar and the headline was the first U.S. apparel retailer to source in that country since sanctions were lifted two years ago. The apparel retailer indicated that it had engaged in a sourcing deal involving South Korean owned factories that operate in the country. Last week, Gap Inc. MORE

Last week, The Wall Street Journal profiled global apparel producer TAL Group’s decision to close its apparel production factory in Dongguan China because of cumulative effects of rising direct labor costs. Paid subscription required) The fact that one of Asia’s largest manufacturers of apparel, supplying brands such as Banana Republic, J. MORE

A rather sobering announcement from major apparel supply chain influencer Li & Fung adds further reinforcement of unprecedented business and supply chain challenges impacting global retailers. MORE

After years of what is described as unproductive conversations, The American Apparel & Footwear Association recently publically called for major changes to Alibaba Group’s anti-counterfeiting procedures. AAFA represents more than 1,000 clothing, shoe, and lifestyle brands, and over the last four years, has been engaged in on-going conversations with Alibaba representatives on the problem of […]. MORE

The latest edition of The Economist includes its Technology Quarterly and features a report that should be of interest to apparel focused supply chains, especially specialty retailers. Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Manufacturing Strategies Procurement and Sourcing Supply Chain Technology advanced robotics blog commenting on global supply chain developments robotics applied to clothing and apparel production SoftWear Automation Inc. MORE

Annual Predictions for Industry and Global Supply Chain Management Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Procurement and Sourcing Supply Chain Strategy 2017 predictions for industry and global supply chains apparel and footwear industry predictions Supply chain Matters blogThus far, we have posted deep-dives on the first nine of our 2017 Predictions for Industry and Global Supply Chains. MORE

Apparel Performance and Improvement Comparison. I have not seen this done well in the apparel industry. Supply Chain Excellence Supply Chain Leadership Supply Chains to Admire apparel Imagine 2017 Peter Smith MORE

THIS WEEK'S LATEST PODCAST: ICECORP is excited to share Episode 5 of the "2 Babes Talk Supply Chain" Podcast! Supply Chain Logistics Shipment of Goods and Materials MORE

Today’s manufacturers face seemingly competing challenges to meet customer expectations for fresh inventory offered via multiple platforms while relying on increasingly global supplier networks MORE

The post Tour An Apparel Distribution Center! By Tompkins International Staff Join us at the Tompkins International Supply Chain Leadership Forum 2017 (SCLF). We have another exciting addition to this year’s SCLF being held in Durham, NC May 8th to May 10th: Distribution Center (DC) tour. Beginning at 2:00 pm on Monday, May 8th we will be hosting a tour of Peter. Reserve Your Spot Today For The 2017 SCLF! appeared first on Tompkins International. MORE

Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Automotive Supply Chain Internet of Things Retail Supply Chain Supply Chain Strategy Supply Chain Transformation independent blog analysis and insights on supply chain management Supply chain Matters blog technology's impact on industry supply chainsA blog commentary reflecting that change is underway across many industry sectors, one that was profound implications for businesses and their associated supply chains. MORE

In the developing world, apparel manufacturing is poised to employ millions of people in the coming years. But growing firms have a number of hurdles to overcome in a complex and competitive global marketplace. Video Manufacturing MORE

We work with a lot of branded and private label apparel manufacturers and brand owners, and it’s clear there is a misperception about supply chain complexity in these industries. Counter to what many people think, apparel supply chains are complex and demanding with global sourcing, long lead times, short selling seasons, and demand uncertainty. Ed shared several best practices as well as what an apparel company could expect from an optimized supply chain. MORE

From the supply chain sourcing strategy lens, many clothing and apparel retailers made their new spring clothing design selections months ago because of the supply chain lead time involved in producing and shipping apparel and accessories from lower-cost manufacturing […]. Spring is a season when thoughts often turn toward new beginnings and of course, new clothing. MORE

This feature provides examines the supply chain challenges arising from some recent trends in the fashion industry, and looks at how brand owners and retailers are meeting those challenges MORE

The apparel and footwear industry, one of the earliest adopters of global based, low-cost manufacturing outsourcing is now on the verge of adopting Industry 4.0 Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Internet of Things Manufacturing Strategies Procurement and Sourcing Product Lifecycle Management Supply Chain Strategy Addidas Futurecraft MFG supply chain Addidas supply chain supply chain advancements in footwear manufacturing Supply chain Matters blog MORE

NYSE:CKP), a leading global supplier of shrink management, merchandise visibility and apparel labeling solutions for the retail industry, today announced here at NRF Loss Prevention Conference & Expo its RFID Overhead EAS Solution, delivering benefits both for loss prevention and inventory visibility at the point-of-exit. We’re providing apparel retailers with solutions that offer a pathway to achieve promising benefits, independent of their individual starting point.”. MORE

In this Part Six final update, we revisit our industry-specific predictions related to B2C and Retail, Apparel and Footwear, Pharmaceutical and Drug supply chains. Supply Chain Matters concludes the series for self-scoring each of the 2017 Predictions for Industry and Global Supply Chains published at the beginning of this year. MORE

Apparel executive’s guide to competitive advantage. I think we all know that great apparel brands maintain competitive advantage by consistently executing on time. What great apparel brands do differently? For most apparel companies, it is the cycle from product to customer. MORE

In this Part Six final update, we revisit our industry-specific predictions related to B2C and Retail, Apparel and Footwear, Pharmaceutical and Drug supply chains. Supply Chain Matters concludes the series for self-scoring each of the 2017 Predictions for Industry and Global Supply Chains published at the beginning of this year. MORE

This feature provides examines the supply chain challenges arising from some recent trends in the fashion industry, and looks at how brand owners and retailers are meeting those challenges MORE

Three years have passed since the tragic Rana Plaza apparel factory fire that killed many hundreds of garment workers that were trapped by a factory collapse, and according to a recently published Bloomberg report, (Paid subscription may be required) an uncomfortable truth is emerging: “Vigilance isn’t enough.” MORE

A successful supply chain strategy has become an essential key to success for apparel companies as they continue to build their brand. MORE

Inc, a third-party refurbisher specializing in apparel and general merchandise inspection, repair, cleaning, kitting, and warehousing. The apparel industry’s supply chain crisscrosses the globe. Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Procurement and Sourcing Supply chain Matters blogThe following is a contributed Supply Chain Matters Guest Contribution from Jeff Glassman, CEO of Darn It! MORE

We work with a lot of branded and private label apparel manufacturers and brand owners, and it’s clear there is a misperception about supply chain complexity in these industries. MORE