Apparel

RFID Makes Great Inroads Into Apparel, General Merchandise Verticals

March 24, 2015

The results of the 2014 GS1 US Standards Usage Survey show that apparel and general merchandise manufacturers and retailers are using item level electronic product code-enabled radio frequency identification to enhance inventory visibility and respond to consumer demands for omni-channel options.

For Third of Manufacturers, Disruption to Supply Chain Is of Huge Concern

March 19, 2015

Apparel

A third (35 percent) of businesses in the manufacturing industry are extremely concerned about potential supply chain disruption, according to research released by BSI, the business standards company and the Business Continuity Institute (BCI).

Delivering a Seamless Customer Experience Demands Visibility

March 17, 2015

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Delivering a seamless customer experience will demand a more comprehensive approach to inventory visibility across the entire supply chain. Gone are the days of "offline and online" inventories. Retailers must determine how they will create and leverage one view of all of their inventories, where any location now may become a source to fulfill a customer's order. – Melanie Nuce, Vice President of Apparel and General Merchandise, GS1 US

Waking Up From the West Coast Port Nightmare: Where Do We Go From Here?

March 9, 2015

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Assuming that the rank and file of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) ratifies the new five-year contract negotiated with terminal operators, West Coast ports can finally focus on getting container-handling operations back to normal. So is everyone happy?

A Glimpse at the Factory of the Future

February 27, 2015

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

What will the typical factory look like five years from now?

Balancing Cost and Customer Expectations for Profitable Apparel Returns

February 18, 2015

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Online retailers must make the returns process convenient for their customers which, in turn, increases the amount of product returned. But every company must find a balance between cost and customer expectations. Should you encourage customers to return products to the store? To the DC? To a 3PL? The answer depends on your brand, culture, infrastructure and average unit price. – Bruce Baring and Jason Denmon, Apparel Industry Leaders, Fortna Inc.

German Clothing Retailer Uses RFID to Monitor Products Throughout Supply Chain

February 3, 2015

RFID Journal

German casual apparel company Marc O'Polo has adopted a radio frequency identification solution to track its products across the entire supply chain, from its distribution center to 86 of its stores throughout Europe. The company finished installing the system at all 87 sites by September 2014, and is now expanding the deployment to include the tagging of products by manufacturers, thereby enabling the retailer to track its merchandise from the point at which they are made.

Social Media, the Supply Chain and How to Tackle Fast Fashion

January 26, 2015

Bob McKee, Industry Strategy Direction, Fashion, Infor

The holiday season has come to a close, but fashion brands and retailers are still faced with opportunities and challenges after the holiday gift rush. Social media can dramatically increase demand for particular styles and items within minutes or hours (think Pinterest or Instagram).

With Acquisition of SDI Group, Dematic Expands Clout in Order Fulfillment

January 22, 2015

Dematic

Dematic Group, a supplier of integrated automated technology, software and services to optimize the supply chain, has acquired FSU Investments Limited, which holds a majority stake in SDI Group, a supplier of garment-on-hanger and flat sorter technology in Europe. Dematic intends to make an offer for the remaining share capital. The purchase of SDI Group Europe will expand Dematic's global order fulfillment offerings in apparel, retail and e-commerce markets.

Clothes Manufacturing Returns to U.S., But Industry Model Is Quite Different This Time

January 21, 2015

Apparel

A push to reshore apparel manufacturing and technical skills is steadily taking hold in the United States. Industry organizations, as well as academe and suppliers, are identifying areas for job creation, inventing new ways to think about apparel production and building incubators that nurture a budding apparel workforce via expert tutelage and business advice.