As the days go by, consumers are becoming more fashion-conscious. Consequently, apparel production is facing the new more challenges. The major challenges apparel production faces or will face are mentioned below-
1. Consumer choice and demographic variability
Apparel manufacturers have to produce a diverse product mix as consumers are difficult to understand and predict. Their choice is unstable and unpredictable, and there is a wide variation in their demographics and physiographic. Besides, consumer’s age, income, education level, occupation and ethnicity also affect their purchasing behaviour. Consumers of recent times are becoming more choosy, and complex due to increased awareness and readily available information on the products and designs. On top of that, the consumer’s choice is shifting from traditional designs towards luxury high-fashion items. A majority of consumers prefer to shop at mass merchandisers such as Target, Walmart, Sears or JC Penny.
2. Challenges related to supply chain
The component parts of garments are produced in a different region of the World and the non-arrival of any single component can cause a delay in the production. The apparel supply chain is complex and demanding due to global outsourcing, longer lead times and shorter seasons. It is extremely difficult to forecast the changing styles, and the supply chain is being complicated due to lead-times and cost issues.
3. Challenges in design and production
Another notable challenge is that apparel manufacturers have to handle an extraordinary amount of design changes. Besides, traditionally the apparel manufacturing process has been performed by production workers who perform the cutting, sewing and other operations in an assembly line. In spite of the technical advancements, the apparel industry still remains as a labour-intensive unit. One of the major global concerns in apparel production is rising labour cost and already many RMG exporting countries have to come out of this market due to the increased labour cost.
4. Ecological challenges
This is the most concerning issue nowadays. Consumers around the globe are becoming more aware of environmental concerns and the potentially harmful effects on human health from the toxic chemicals and ingredients in clothing. The chemicals and wastewaters discharged from the industry like dyeing, printing, washing industry are harshly dangerous to the environment, and as a result, water bodies, aquatic sediments, soils become polluted and eventually, aquatic animals and agricultural products are being damaged. So everyone is trying to develop the eco-friendly products from the natural sources which are bio-degradable.
References:
[1] R. Nayak and R.
Padhye, Garment manufacturing technology. Elsevier, 2015.
[2] S. Sutton, “Predicting
and explaining intentions and behaviour: How well are we doing?,” J. Appl.
Soc. Psychol., vol. 28, no. 15, pp. 1317–1338, 1998.
[3] R. Forward, “Twenty
Trends for 2010: Retailing in an Age of Uncertainty,” Columbus, OH Retail
Forw., p. 8, 2003.
