Challenge: Inconvenienced by manually intensive processes, this global retailer of handbags and accessories recognized the need to transform its internal and external supply chain processes - facilitating the access of information with strategic trading partners, especially raw material suppliers. The company needed to standardize data management processes associated with material management, BOMs, costing collaboration and supplier allocation.

The global luxury market has long been dominated by three giants, all European - LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Kering and Richemont. Now, it has two hungry American players with which to contend.

For decades, New York Fashion Week was a business-to-business, invitation-only event for industry insiders.

The chief executive of Birkenstock USA has emerged as an unlikely crusader in a growing battle between smaller retailers and ever-expanding giant Amazon.com.

Many shoppers will shell out a little more money if they know a product, especially clothing, is environmentally friendly, market researchers report.