We simply cannot expect life without technology and the same holds true for the apparel industry as well. With the advent of Industry 4.0, we now see technology running the industry whether it is manufacturing or retail.

Apparel Sourcing Week (ASW) 2022 brings to you a dedicated session pertaining to Sourcing and Industry 4.0 to be conducted by Anindya Ray, EVP and the Chief Sourcing Officer at Arvind Fashions Ltd.

Following is the synopsis of the session:

“Buyers today don't have to wait for the season to end and then analyse data. Real time data is available to them at the click of a button. This allows them to react faster and take corrective actions on the go even as the industry has today shifted from a low width, high depth approach to high width, low depth approach.

Buyers are no more talking volumes like 5000 pieces per colour. More and more buyers are shifting towards a wider width and low depth model, which allows them to react faster to market demands and also test products and replenish them.

Meanwhile, brands and retailers are making less or opting for virtual products to test and only the products which work are being manufactured.

Quick repeat orders have thus become a reality as sophisticated tech tools allow for the relevant data to be available at the right time and they also build transparency into the supply chain which benefits each stakeholder and ultimately the brand/retailer.

We need to understand the apparel supply chain is a fragmented one, managing which is a mammoth task on its own and faster turnaround time, smaller volumes and quick replenishments only further add to this complexity; one which is open to many human errors.

But digital systems simplify work and build transparency into each stage of the supply chain.

Apart from this, IoT also helps in creating a transparent supply chain. With more and more consumers demanding for sustainable products and processes from the brands, this becomes a key component as technology effectively facilitates end-to-end supply chain transparency and traceability.”

Read the updated article by Anindya Ray in the ‘Blogs’ column of ASW.

Here is the link for your easy access:

Fashion in times of Industry 4.0

Stay tuned for this and much more in the second edition of ASW 2022 including 6 Seminars, 4 Workshops, 6 Open House forums, 4 Vendor meets, not to mention plentiful networking opportunities, during these two days.