Increasingly, the old, functional ways of operating across the supply chain are working less effectively. New ways of working have emerged, which put collaboration at the heart of establishing a powerful rapport with the consumer. Successful retailers understand this. The new creed is to work more effectively and efficiently, both internally and externally, to derive more value from the supply chain and, crucially, to get closer to the customer. -Nancy Marino, Senior Vice President, Tompkins International, and Chief Development Officer, MonarchFx

Faced with increasing pressure to meet today's digital consumers' demand for personalization, varieties and values – all under shrinking lead times and heightened competition – the foremost strategy in the apparel industry is to minimize time and cost related to product development and market launch. Top companies are leading the field in 3D virtual technology applications in this area, enabling them to reduce time and cost to market, while simplifying process and improving supply chain collaboration. -John Coyle, Professor Emeritus, Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Steve Tracey, Executive Director of the Center for Supply Chain Research; and Kusumal Ruamsook, Research Associate of the Center for Supply Chain Research, all at Penn State

After he attaches sensors to my ankles, shins, and knees, a technician at Brooks, the Seattle running shoe maker, asks me to do a series of knee bends and run a few steps on a treadmill equipped with a camera. The device will capture my motion with the goal of recording the biomechanics of how I run.

The North American Free Trade Agreement may not be a topic of frequent discussion in your household, but the trade pact probably plays a big role in your daily life.

Faster delivery and customization are combining with automation to spur a return of apparel manufacturing to the U.S.