Breaking the Inventory Cycle: Big Bets, Big Risks & Even Bigger Social Impact?

Managing inventory is more puzzling today than ever before. With some countries and regions opening up faster than anticipated, consumers finally have reason to freshen up their wardrobes with clothes suitable for work and social outings. That’s good news. But the spike in demand has caught the industry off guard—and with little to offer. Add in longer logistics lead times and the chase is on. But given the possibility of additional Covid waves and the industry’s history of overproduction, retailers are charged with figuring out how to stock up responsibly. This panel will uncover how retailers are making merchandising decisions, circumventing bottlenecks and shifting to new timelines to ensure a steady flow of goods.

The Omnichannel Dilemma: Balancing Margins & Consumer Loyalty

When coronavirus shuttered stores, the retail industry moved at an uncharacteristically swift pace to bolster existing e-commerce services and scale new fulfillment options like BOPIS. This quick reaction salvaged revenue but it put margins under even greater pressure. And there’s no going back. Even as regions reopen, consumers are likely to take advantage of these options at greater rates than before the crisis. This panel will discuss how apparel retailers can calculate the real costs associated with both omnichannel and omni-fulfillment, and mitigate margin dilution while still providing shoppers with the convenience they’ve become accustomed to. 

Regulating Responsibility: The Sustainability Legislation that Should be on Fashion’s Radar

Rolling back apparel’s negative impact on the planet and setting the industry on a course to help halt climate change is a massive undertaking, one that will not only require cooperation and collaboration across the supply chain but federal policy and regulations. European nations are leading the charge of mandating change and incentivizing responsible operations. This panel will examine what governments in different regions are doing now, which actions hold the most promise, what’s still lacking and how fashion firms need to prepare for looming legislation.

Trade Outlook: The Macro & Micro Influences Shaping the Future

As the coronavirus continues to create hotspots all over the world, the global nature of the apparel industry has never been more evident. And even as fashion continues to grapple with the impact of the pandemic, geopolitical issues are adding complexity to an already volatile situation. The U.S. in particular is fighting trade wars on several fronts with legislation aimed at curbing China’s bad acts related to IP and human rights abuses, policy related to aircraft subsidies in Europe and reviews of longstanding preference programs. This presentation will provide an outlook on trade, including the ongoing disputes, the latest reconciliations and the potential problems on the horizon. 

Circularity: Building the Infrastructure & Processes Toward Meaningful Change

As the industry’s environmental efforts mature, apparel has recognized that sustainability isn’t enough. To truly make a positive impact and transform fashion into a force for good, circularity must be the goal. But attempting to close the loop requires a through line of intent from raw materials to the racks and determining how to achieve it means reassessing every element and action. The task is daunting but urgent, which necessitates collaboration and a willingness to move forward even in the face of many unknowns. This fireside chat will assess where apparel is on the path toward meaningful change and what it will take to construct this new reality.

Foolproofing Shipments: Breaking Bottlenecks and Navigating Customs

After slamming on the breaks at the start of the pandemic, restarting the pipeline of goods into stores is proving challenging. The apparel industry is in the grips of a massive shipping bottleneck that’s making it all but impossible to restock shelves and putting Q4 sales in jeopardy. Adding to the issues are Withhold Release Orders against goods that contain cotton from the Uyghur region that’s tied up product and labeled some importers as guilty until proven innocent. This panel will highlight how to foolproof your shipments in the face of pending trade legislation and continued port congestion.