The apparel supply chain is a complex network of interconnected processes that are further complicated by the need for high quality products, tight deadlines and demanding retailers. The following are the key stages of a typical apparel supply chain:
1. PLANNING
The first stage of the apparel supply chain is planning or conceptualization, which refers to all stages associated with creating a new product or service. This can include brainstorming ideas, defining requirements, researching materials and production methods, developing prototypes and testing them out on customers before full scale production begins.
2. DESIGN
Designers play an important role in the creation of new products by translating ideas into patterns and sketches that are used by manufacturers to make their garments. This can be done through hand drawing or through computer software programs such as Adobe Illustrator or InDesign. Once those designs have been approved by management, it’s time for sourcing!
3. SOURCING
This step involves finding suppliers/manufacturers who can meet all your needs in terms of price, quality, delivery time frame etc. This is where raw materials are procured, or purchased, and then brought together to create the final product. You may also want to consider outsourcing some steps or even completely outsourcing an entire process if it makes sense financially or logistically speaking. Generally speaking, you will need 4 main categories of suppliers: fiber/yarn supplier, textile mill, trim supplier, and finally, the cut & sew factory.
4. MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing involves producing both finished goods (finished pieces of clothing) and semi-finished goods (fabric or garment pieces). The manufacturing process may vary depending on whether you’re outsourcing production or doing it internally; if you’re outsourcing production to another factory in another country, there will be additional steps like shipping and customs clearance that go into getting your product from point A to point B.
5. QUALITY INSPECTION & CONTROL
Quality control and inspection can happen at any stage in the production process—before shipping out an order; during transportation; upon arrival at its destination—and is important because it helps identify defects such as faulty stitching or missing buttons before they reach customers’ hands!
READ MORE: Why is quality control so important in the garment and textile industry?
6. DISTRIBUTION
Once products are ready to be sold, they have to be distributed to the marketplace (e.g., online stores or retail outlets). This involves getting your products from the manufacturer (or wherever) to shops all over the world so that customers can buy them from different locations as per their convenience. Distributing means sending something out for delivery so that people can get their hands on it quickly without having too much hassle involved with doing so themselves.
7. MARKETING & SALES
This involves promoting your products through marketing activities like product development and advertising campaigns with the goal of promoting sales at retail locations throughout the world. It also includes monitoring competition garment prices so that you can adjust yours accordingly if necessary (this may happen after manufacturing has already begun).
8. END-OF-LIFE
Although disposal has traditionally not been counted as a part of the typical supply chain, there has been a rising shift towards a circular model of production in the last few years. Companies are attempting to close the loop by integrating processes like rework, waste disposal and recycling of the goods they produce into their fashion cycle. So, when products have reached their useful lifespan (i.e., they’re not selling anymore), they need to be disposed of properly. This can mean repurposing lightly damaged clothes instead of throwing them away.