Fabric Sourcing 101: A Handy Guide for Fashion Brands Today
McKinsey and the World Economic Forum have an interesting estimate to share; the number of garments produced annually has doubled since 2000. If your business operates in this dynamic market segment, fabric sourcing is crucial because clothing manufacturers rely heavily on an uninterrupted fabric procurement ecosystem. If your business hasn’t secured this aspect yet, there’s no better time than now.
Here’s a helpful fabric sourcing guide for fashion and lifestyle brands operating in the new normal.
Fabric sourcing 101
abric sourcing is the process of identifying fabric suppliers to meet the raw material requirements of your business. It also involves implementing solutions to manage the delivery and the supply chain efficiently, getting the required materials on time, and sourcing fabrics within a predetermined budget. To create an effective fabric sourcing strategy, you must understand the different types of suppliers you can choose from.
Types of fabric suppliers to handle your sourcing requirements
Fabric suppliers can belong to any of the following categories.
- Fabric mills and factories
Fabric mills and factories meet customized fabric requirements at cost-effective rates. However, there will typically be strict minimum order requirements in place.
- Converters and jobbers
Next in the supply chain are converters, companies that transform unfinished materials from mills into sellable fabrics. Jobbers sell limited stocks left over from converters.
- Trade shows
Trade shows allow fashion brands to shop around for different fabrics as well as different sources under a single roof.
- Online suppliers
For businesses that are keen on embracing e-procurement, sourcing fabrics online is an excellent alternative. It’s future-proof, economical and easier to track and manage.
4 key things to look for when you are sourcing fabrics for your business
Whichever kind of fabric supplier you decide to partner with, it is crucial to check the following criteria to make informed and prudent fabric procurement decisions.
- Affordability
While quality is certainly vital, it is also necessary to choose a supplier whose cost metrics align with your budget. Overspending could quickly lead to a cash crunch across your supply chain.
- Availability
Sourcing fabrics in bulk at short notice may often be impossible. To ensure consistency in the availability of the desired fabrics, you need to choose suppliers who support bulk purchases.
- Functionality
The fabrics you procure must also be tested for functionality to ensure the clothing or accessory turns out as planned. Purchasing samples before ordering in bulk can help here.
- Sustainability
Sustainability in fabric sourcing is an essential box to check. It helps future-proof your procurement process and helps you meet any ESG criteria that may be in place.
Want to upgrade your sourcing strategy? Here’s an idea!
Managing multiple vendors and suppliers can be quite the challenge for businesses today. Steer clear of this roadblock by choosing Moglix fashion to handle all your business requirements comprehensively, from design to delivery. With end-to-end solutions that include raw material procurement, brand collaborations, quality checks and an extensive network of suppliers, you stand to gain a lot with the Moglix advantage.
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