Apparel

Status, Perception of Women Changes in Chinese Manufacturing

May 14, 2013

In Guangdong province, where nearly 30 percent of China's exports are made, women usually far outnumber men on labour-intensive production lines. Rural women are hired for their supposed docility, nimble fingers and attention to mind-numbing detail. But in recent years Guangdong's workforce has changed.

Retailers Shouldn't Leave Bangladesh, But Help Make Apparel Factories Safer

May 8, 2013

Business Week

Bangladesh is a dangerous place to work in a factory as the Rana Plaza building collapse shows. Local health and safety regulations are so weak that last spring, even before the Rana Plaza disaster, executives at Disney decided they would no longer source toys and apparel from Bangladesh. The company felt the risk to its reputation wasn't worth the low cost of production.

We Consumers Are Responsible for Deaths of Apparel Workers in Bangladesh

May 8, 2013

Los Angeles Times

The deaths of more than 600 garment workers in Bangladesh's Rana Plaza factory collapse April 24 is a tragedy that highlights widespread problems in the global apparel industry. But will it be the spark that finally leads to much-needed global reforms?

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

May 1, 2013

Supply Chain Digital

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.

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.