The Apparel Industry Forecast – What's The Outlook For Summer 2021 And Beyond?

Clothing and footwear businesses around the world are still reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. While more nations are coming out of lockdown, there are no guarantees that things will go back to normal any time soon, and many supply chain source countries – notably India – are still firmly in the grip of the disease.

However, fashion manufacturers, distributers and retailers still need to plan for the future if they want to succeed. So, what should you be thinking about when formulating your business strategy for 2022, 2023, and beyond? Here are some of the things that consumers are looking for right now:

Additional Transparency

Today's shoppers want to purchase products from brands that take corporate social responsibility seriously and always treat their employees with respect. They also want the firms they are buying from to use suppliers who act in the same way. That means you need to be able to produce evidence that you're meeting these needs.

Sustainable Apparel

There's been a sharp increase in demand for eco-friendly products recently and that's likely to continue after 2021. Luxury and high street brands alike are now offering products made from recycled and environmentally-sound materials, so it's a trend that's worth embracing if you want to remain competitive.

Fast Fashion Without The Waste

Today's fashionistas aren't just looking for clothing made from eco-friendly materials, however. They're also concerned about the effect that contemporary mass production processes are having on the world. As a result, any company that can streamline its processes to minimise its carbon footprint while ensuring that its garments are still affordable could be on the path to success.

How Using Specialist Enterprise Software Could Help

Apparel companies who want to take advantage of these trends could get a head start by utilising the latest software solutions. Two key options to consider are:

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software - Utilising industry-specific ERP software gives you a bird's eye view of all of your operations so you can see exactly what's happening across your supply chain. When you implement ERP software, you'll find it easier to document and streamline individual processes, as well as having the data to make intelligent strategic decisions about resource planning. What's more, you'll be able to identify inefficient processes and manage your inventory more effectively, improving the way your business functions.
• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software - When you implement PLM software, you'll be able to manage every aspect of your product development process in one place. Businesses that use an industry-specific PLM – such as STYLEman PLM – often see boosts to productivity, improvements in the quality of products, reductions in wastage, and greater accuracy from their demand forecasts.

Option Systems produce enterprise solutions which have been designed with the specific needs of companies in the clothing and footwear sector in mind. To find out more about our products, including our STYLEman ERP and PLM software, please contact our team today to arrange a free software demo.

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