Apparel

Allocating the Right Stock, Place and Time to Retail Supply Chains

May 1, 2013

The days of selling within seasons are long gone; sales periods that once spanned months have now shrunk to weeks. This "multiplier" effect presents retailers with huge challenges, because shoppers want the latest, most fashionable products immediately.

Wal-Mart Says It Will Promote Safety Training in Global Supply Chain

April 15, 2013

Insurance Journal

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, says that after a fire at a Bangladesh factory last year killed 112 people it is making its biggest push yet to try to improve conditions at factories that produce its clothing.

Supply Chain Challenges from Apparel Software Trends

April 9, 2013

Just-Style

Social and environmental compliance are the main issues facing today's apparel supply chains, according to industry experts consulted by just-style. The continued shift towards faster and faster fashion cycles, along with pressure on retailers to adapt to an omni-channel experience, is also throwing up challenges when it comes to flexibility in global sourcing.

H&M the Latest of Very Few Retailers to Go Public With Its List of Suppliers

April 9, 2013

Business Week

Hennes & Mauritz, selling under the brand H&M, is the world's second-largest apparel company and the biggest buyer of clothes made in Bangladesh. That has put the Swedish retailer in an uncomfortable position after the death of a prominent labor activist a year ago and a garment factory fire that killed more than 100 workers in November.

German Retailer Tracks In-Store Apparel Inventory with RFID Technology

April 4, 2013

RFID Journal

German clothing company C&A is expanding its radio frequency identification system from what was initially a trial involving five of its stores in Germany, to cover 25 locations. C&A, which manufactures its own apparel and footwear for men, women and children, is testing whether the technology can improve its supply chain visibility and in-store inventory, to ensure that at all times certain goods are on the shelves for purchase at each of its stores.

Infor Issues Implementation Accelerator for Fashion Industry

March 25, 2013

Infor

Infor has made generally available the Infor Implementation Accelerator for Fashion.

Manufacturers Said to Be Upbeat This Year About Making IT Investments, Expanding Supplier Bases

March 14, 2013

MFG.com

This year is expected to be one of growth, with many product development companies looking to make new technology investments and expand their supplier base, according to a survey of 8,840 sourcing professionals by MFG.com, an online manufacturing marketplace.

How to Extend the Life of Your Distribution Assets

February 22, 2013

SupplyChainBrain

Mike Perkins, vice president of fulfillment and manufacturing with L.L. Bean, explains how the company was able to postpone building a new distribution center, despite an increase in sales.

American Express Survey Finds Optimism as We Move Into 2013

January 11, 2013

Appliance Magazine

The latest American Express Spending and Saving Tracker reported that 39 percent of Americans are optimistic going into the new year, compared to 35 percent who said so going into 2012. Ten percent report they are "unconcerned" going into 2013, compared to 6 percent who said they were "unconcerned" a year ago.

Holiday Retail Sales Expected to Top Those of Last Year By More Than 4 Percent

December 19, 2012

National Retail Federation

Eager holiday shoppers helped drive retail sales upwards in November, helping boost sales in the first half of the holiday season. According to the National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade association, November retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.8 percent seasonally adjusted from October and increased 4.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year. With this news, NRF is still expecting holiday sales to grow 4.1 percent over last holiday season.