photos:celebrity dresses

Apparel retailers need to react more quickly and effectively to what consumers want, according to speakers at the Canadian Apparel and Textile Sourcing Show in Toronto, scheduled for Aug. 22-24.

“Long lead times are a thing of the past — telling the consumer what she wants is not the way to win anymore,” according to global industry expert Jeff Streader, who will deliver the keynote speech at what is being billed as Canada’s first apparel and textile show, at the International Centre.

More than 3,000 people are registered for the event, according to organizer Jason Prescott, CEO of Top10Wholesale.com and Manufacturer.com, adding that Toronto was due for a trade show of this kind.

“No major significant event at all exists in Canada that helps local entrepreneurs, retailers and sourcing professionals connect with manufacturers and sources overseas in the apparel and textile sector,” said Prescott.

He said more than 190 factories from 11 different countries will be represented at the event.

How to speed up response time is a big theme on the agenda.

Making data-based decisions and reacting swiftly to consumer demand is the way of the future, Streader believes.

“It’s really about keeping your finger on the pulse of who is going to your website, what is her or his age, what are their page views, what are their click-throughs, what are they interested in, what items are they buying — these analytics are so powerful and it’s making brands better.”

Streader is the former global COO of Billabong and executive consultant for American Apparel, board member of Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production and lecturer at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles.

Streader believes that only 10 per cent of brands today are responding in 90 days or less to trends in music, media and movies, but the new normal will one day be three to six months.

Mark Burstein, president, NGC Software, believes lead times can be cut by collecting and analyzing data about shoppers.

“We have seen lead times cut from 12 months down to six months because of efficiencies in the product development cycle,” said Burstein, who is also presenting at the conference.

The longest lead time in the manufacturing cycle is procuring raw materials, which can take six to 12 weeks, Burstein points out. But there are ways to position raw materials to keep them ready to be dyed and cut when new trends begin surfacing at retail.

“It’s all about expediting best sellers to the consumer,” said Burstein, adding that the right products brought to retail at the right time by air can sell at higher prices than the wrong product, shipped by boat, which needs to be marked down to sell.

The trade show will also create opportunities for retailers to meet global manufacturers and suppliers, which will help build a credible ecosystem, said Burstein.

Read more:red carpet dresses

Add This Entry To Your CureZone Favorites!