Fashion Observer Magazine June. 2014 | Page 163

Reason 3: like sizing and fabric translating into late deliveries, late payments Failing to embrace a myriad of which have a detrimental flow available business, supply chain on affect across all levels of the and retail technologies to achieve business. new efficiencies and sources of competitive advantage. (BDO In recent months, Ksubi certainly ran into some trouble with their Spend Trend Report 2013) supply chain and the relationships Australian businesses have not with their suppliers. “Bleach said kept pace with technology to after failures in China, it had found not only enhance customers a new offshore supply chain after shopping experience at the front problems caused a delay in the end of the business but also their production of Insight and Ksubi planning and buying strategies clothing and accessories.” on the back end of the business, Suppliers are no longer treated constantly being outplayed by as partners in the supply their international, early adopting, chain process and therefore relationships suffer, impacting tech-­savvy competitors. the bottom line. Reason 4: Not prioritizing working capital for growth projects and opportunities. Fashion epitomizes growth, flux and change, why isn’t this passion for growth reflected in and driving financial planning and investment into core areas that would improve performance and efficiencies of the business to reduce costs. Fact -­Profit margin growth increased by 2.7%, which came down to retailers successfully increasing their revenue without impacting on their costs. Fact -­One of the highest recorded losses to impact the industry lay around Billabongs $750 million write – off and -­64.2% net profit margins. (BDO Spend Trend Report 2013) Reason 5: Supplier relationships, quality and competitive pricing are being tarnished and compromised resulting in a lack of manufacturing consistencies But having the same product, as your neighbor in the shopping centre isn’t going to create a stand out proposition. Fact -­Consumers have a “growing appetite” for in store shopping (Columbia Business School research), they want to touch, feel and connect with the product. Reason 7: Inefficiencies in the Australian Fashion industry are opening a gap in the market for international players who are integrating technology, business resources and harnessing trends to the point of creating and reinventing them. This aggressive approach Reason 6: towards creation and innovation leaves others behind as mere The home grown world of followers, and following has fashion is constantly looking always been out of fashion. over it’s shoulder to see what competitors are offering both Reason 8: locally and globally rather than being at the forefront of design It defines a shortsighted and and development and driving stubborn mentality to believe innovative production strategies. that you can do it on your own and driving innovative strategies. and not taking advantage of objectivity that external eyes bring to the business. A fear of outside criticism and a decline of operational control mean the focus shifts to irrelevant and frivolous details. Knowing what the customer wants and being able to deliver on that through brand and customer experience is essential Reason 9: A void of passion and disengagement or simply pure “love for the job” has settled on the industry, turning it into another cogs and wheel enterprise, a throwback to the factory days of product-­arket orientation. m Fashion is about something much more intangible, special and even celestial. It is much more than factory floors and pricing policies.