Apparel Supply Chain Facing Complex Array of Risks

BROMSGROVE, England, April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The complex range of risks and variables likely to face the international apparel supply chain in 2012 are detailed in a new report from just-style - providing buyers and suppliers with an important tool to help evaluate the potential impact on their business.

The report, 'Risk analysis of the apparel supply chain in 2012', offers a detailed analysis of how cultural, linguistic, climatic, political and economic factors impact on global sourcing. It was compiled in response to a "perfect storm" of cost elements that confronted the supply chain in late 2010 and early 2011, including record cotton prices, large-scale wage increases and soaring shipping costs.

Using six supply chain cost models to illustrate the many variables, the report looks at how various factors will impact on typical sourcing decisions. These variables may be created by the sourcing country chosen, the decision on whether to use local materials, and then the effects of cost increases.

As part of the analysis, regions are given a risk assessment score based on a variety of factors such as ease of doing business, political stability and the prevalence of corruption. Further variables and considerations are also considered, especially the balancing of cost, time and risk, and the increasingly important area of CSR (corporate social responsibility) and the environment, as well as supply chain finance.

Other factors impacting sourcing and supply chain decisions are also covered. These include time factors and the demands of 'fast fashion,' which have helped Spanish apparel retailer Zara to bring a product to market in as little as eight weeks.

The result is an overall picture of a complex, fast-changing apparel supply chain subject to a large number of risk factors and variables - making it ever more important for apparel retailers and sourcing companies to maintain close scrutiny of the supply chain, all the way from research and design to delivery of the final garment.

just-style's 'Risk analysis of the apparel supply chain in 2012' report is an essential resource for anyone involved in managing supply chains, sourcing apparel garments and materials, managing business costs in the apparel industry, and analysing and forecasting risk scenarios and trends in their business.

About just-style.com

Established in 1999, just-style is a leading online resource for global apparel and textile sourcing industry and retailers, publishing around 15 news articles, analysis features and insights every working day. Under the direction of Managing Editor Leonie Barrie, its experienced team of journalists, consultants and analysts provide a unique blend of apparel, textile and footwear industry news,interviews and research that is delivered to over 100,000 business executives per month.

Via its web site, webinars and in-depth management briefings just-style offers insight into apparel sourcing and supply-chain trends, brand and corporate strategies, CONSULT research platform, enterprise technologies such as PLM and ERP, technical textiles and manufacturing developments and how clothing and footwear retailers perform around the world.

For details of how just-style is "helping decision makers make decisions" visit http://www.just-style.com.

For further information and images please contact Kate Varvedo, Marketing communication manager at Aroq Limited on +44(0)1527-573-616, alternatively email [email protected]

SOURCE just-style.com