Apparel

REI's New DC Is 8 Times Faster, Energy Self-Sufficient, Retailer Says

October 12, 2016

Outdoor apparel retailer REI has designed its new distribution center to be both energy and workflow efficient. The DC, in the Arizona desert, is a net-zero energy facility and will provide to co-op retailer with 20 years of free energy, according to Rick Bingle, REI's vice president of supply chain.

Finish Line Sees Sales Increase After Fixing Supply Chain Shortfalls

October 11, 2016

RIS News

Last year some well documented supply chain miscues trimmed more than $30m in sales from The Finish Lines' bottom line, and left the retailer with unsold inventory in their DCs and disappointed customers in their stores.

Software AG Teams With Detego for Retail Analytics, Visibility

October 4, 2016

Software AG

Software AG is partnering with Detego, a vendor of business intelligence for the fashion industry, to provide retailers with item-level merchandise location, visibility and analytics in real time.

Online Sales of Shoes to Run Far Ahead of Past Brick-and-Mortar Business

October 4, 2016

IBISWorld

The shoe-store industry is expected to flourish in coming years, but online sales will significantly surpass brick-and-mortar retailers, according to Madeline Hurley, IBISWorld retail industry analyst.

Apparel Industry Faces Some of Biggest Challenges Meeting Omnichannel Demands

September 29, 2016

MultiChannel Merchant

Shoppers are demanding a seamless experience across all brand channels, both on- and offline, but retailers – particularly in apparel - are struggling to move at the speed their consumers want and need.

Digital Technology Pumps Up Sales of Luxury Brands

September 28, 2016

BCG Perspective

It may not be widely recognized as such just yet, but digital technology is probably one of the best things to happen to luxury brands in a long time.

3D Printing, Smartphones Upend Retail, E-commerce

September 16, 2016

New York Times

The assembly line at Feetz has 100 humming 3-D printers. Their sole purpose is to make shoes.

Apparel E-Tailer Lets You Try on Clothes Before Paying for Them

September 14, 2016

Apparel

When you're in a changing room, if you're lucky there's a clerk nearby who'll grab another size for you if an item doesn't fit - while you stand waiting in your underwear, of course.

In Today's Online World, Fashions Often Are Outdated Upon Arrival at Stores

September 14, 2016

The Economist

New York City has just begun its sacred rites of retail. For its fashion week, which started Sept. 7th, tents go up, guests emerge from black cars, models sulk down catwalks and the wealthy and celebrated clap in unison. The point of all this is for designers to declare what will be "in" next spring. But for much of fashion retail, it is increasingly clear that something is out of place.

Trying to Sell Winter Coats Online When It's Summer in Australia?

August 26, 2016

Chain Store Age

U.S. retailers gearing up for the holidays could be overlooking a key source of sales: international shoppers. To win in the global e-commerce race, companies can't rely on the same approach they use domestically. Featured products, marketing content, and promotions targeting U.S. consumers may not resonate in all markets. For example, as U.S. retailers promote their discounts on that latest style winter coat, super-fast sled or snow tires, they'll need to remember that it's summer in Australia.

Apparel

The latest supply-chain news, analysis, trends and tools for executives in the apparel industry — which consists of companies that manufacture clothing, accessories and footwear. Learn how apparel companies and their suppliers around the world are managing the flow of products across all channels of the enterprise. Experts sound off on forecasting and demand planning, supply-chain visibility, logistics outsourcing, inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse management, supply-chain security, corporate social responsibility and more.