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Why Fashion Retailers and Brands Must Digitize Supply Chain Management

The fast-paced nature of today’s retail and fashion industry is impossible to manage without digitization. Without digital supply chain management systems in place, fashion retailers run the risk of out-of-stocks, markdowns, defects in product quality, and ultimately losing the trust and confidence of their customers. Having a digital supply chain is no longer a way of getting ahead of the curve, but is essential to staying competitive. According to a McKinsey report, nearly 90% of apparel chief procurement officers said they expect significantly higher investments in technology by 2030. When a retailer implements a digital supply chain, the benefits are evident, and expand across all parts of the process.

Black Friday: Who Will Be the Winners and Losers?

It looks like turkey and pumpkin pie won’t be the only things retailers gobble up this holiday season! NRF is expecting 2018 holiday sales to climb between 4.3 and 4.8% over 2017. That’s up to a total of $720.89 billion for hopeful retailers who are getting ready for the most chaotic time of the year. There’s even more good news for apparel brands and retailers. According to Deloitte’s 2018 Holiday Retail Survey, 53% of shoppers plan on buying clothing as gifts. However, despite the retail industry’s progress, this Black Friday will be more important than ever for brands and retailers to stay ahead of the major players without sacrificing margins. So, what can apparel brands and retailers do to prepare their supply chains for the mad holiday rush?

Supply Chain Tricks Fashion Retailers Can Learn From Zara

In the midst of heated competition and elevated consumer expectations, fashion retailers must hold themselves to a higher standard. This is especially true when it comes to the increased pressure to produce fresh off-the-runway styles. Zara, one of the biggest international fashion companies, is known as a leader amongst fast fashion retailers. Quick turnaround times for design, production and deliverance can satisfy customers seeking the latest trends, translating into retailers accomplishing one of the most sought after goals in the fashion market: gaining loyal customers.

World’s Largest Halloween Costumes Company Eliminates Scary Surprises

It’s almost time for a night of fright-filled with pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating and haunted houses. As we get ready for Halloween this year, Rubie’s Costume Company is making sure kids and adults alike can dress up as their favorite Star Wars character, superhero, princess, or anything in between. But how did Rubie’s get so big and how do they make sure that costumes are made on time, on trend and on budget?

Prevailing Through the Trade War: An Optimized Supply Chain is Key

New tariffs and a U.S.-China trade war have flooded headlines ever since a new tax was imposed on solar panels and washing machines, key Chinese exports, at the beginning of the year. In early April, China began to fight back and proposed tariffs against the U.S. in response to the threat of additional tariffs on $100 billion in Chinese goods. Throughout the following months, threats continued to run high, ultimately leading the U.S. to implement duties of 25% on $34 billion of Chinese goods. China retaliated immediately, imposing an equivalent 25% tariff on 545 U.S. products on July 6, which is the move many people regarded as a signal of the trade war’s beginning.

Join NGC Software at Sourcing Journal Summit 2018: Why Slow and Steady Won’t Win the Race

If there’s one factor successful modern-day supply chains have in common, it’s speed. This year, keynote speakers and panelists at the sixth annual Sourcing Journal Summit will discuss the supply chain’s evolution and why a slow and steady strategy won’t win the race. The event, a unique forum for supply chain executives to challenge the status quo and welcome new ideas, is fast approaching on Oct. 11 in New York City.

Time Equals Risk in Today’s Fashion Supply Chain

One of the Rolling Stones’ early hits famously begins, “time is on my side.” Time, however, is most definitely not on the side of retailers and fashion brands today. In fact, time is arguably the biggest risk factor in the supply chain. Today’s retail and fashion winners include Zara, Xcel Brands, TechStyle and others that race the clock to get the best products to customers faster than anyone else. The more time that passes, the greater the risk that fashion trends, consumer demands and other variables will change.

Technology Boosts Value of Apparel Sourcing

Apparel Magazine produced its 12th annual assessment of the global sourcing market, Sourcing as a Value Center: Winning with Technologies, last month in partnership with Kurt Salmon, part of Accenture Strategy. The report, which incorporates survey data and results from more than 160 companies, includes responses that “were analyzed to determine what it means to excel in global sourcing and identify key trends shaping the apparel sourcing landscape especially those in the applied analytics and technology space.” The survey points to technology investments by sourcing companies as a key trend shaping the industry – a finding that aligns with NGC’s offering of a digital supply chain that allows customers to realize many of the benefits that were outlined in the report .

NGC Customers Rank Among Most Profitable Public Apparel Firms in 2018

Results are in for Apparel Magazine’s Top 50 report, and eight NGC customers including Carter’s, VF Corp., Canada Goose, UniFirst, Rocky Brands, Foot Locker and Delta Apparel Inc. are on this year’s list.

“See Now, Buy Now” Consumer Mentality Calls for a Faster Supply Chain

As technology continues to advance, the industry seems to be increasingly governed by instantaneous fulfillment. Quick processes like same-day delivery and on-demand services normalize a fast-paced culture, and the pressure to conform especially affects the fashion industry, where trends are constantly changing. While popular brands such as Forever 21, H&M and Zara are known for their “fast fashion” approach, producing replicas of fresh-off-the-runway items for sale in the time span of just a few weeks, shortening the apparel calendar is far from a quick-fix.