An Efficient Supply Chain in Fast
Fashion Through IoT
Komal Gahletia
1 Introduction
One of the most profitable markets in the world is the fashion and lifestyle industry,
and it is defined to be a billion-dollar industry employing millions of professions all
around the world [1]. Fashion industry is one of the most dynamic supply chains
in the modern world and due to this nature, there are new challenges and many
opportunities presented. With the fashion industry going global, consumers all over
the world have been affected by this fast and constantly evolving industry disrupting
consumer behavior in the global market.
We need to address the problem of distributing over time a limited amount of
inventory across all the stores in a fast-fashion retail network [1]. The challenges
specific to that environment include very short product life-cycles, and store policies
whereby a reference is removed from display whenever one of its key sizes stocks
out. The fast-fashion retail model gives rise to several important and novel operational challenges such as the problem of distributing over time a limited amount of
merchandise inventory in a retail paradigm (short product life-cycles, store inventory display policies) do justify new approaches. Additionally, the retail operators
are increasingly working in multi-channel and omni-channel environment, wherein
the retail chains have to make their products available over different distribution
channels like own websites, mobile applications (m-apps), third-party websites (e.g.
Jabong, Myntra, Nykaa etc.) and also showrooms.
A sales channel serves two primary functions: delivering information and products
to customers. Omnichannel retailing allows for the decoupling of these two functions
because consumers can learn about products through channels that differ from those
used to purchase them. This decoupling requires a far more sophisticated inventory
and supply chain operation, as well as integration of all customer touchpoints, to
K. Gahletia (B)
School of Management, World University of Design, Sonepat 131029, Haryana, India
e-mail: Komal.gahletia@wud.ac.in
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
A. Majumdar et al. (eds.), Functional Textiles and Clothing 2020,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9376-5_15
205
Fashion Through IoT
Komal Gahletia
1 Introduction
One of the most profitable markets in the world is the fashion and lifestyle industry,
and it is defined to be a billion-dollar industry employing millions of professions all
around the world [1]. Fashion industry is one of the most dynamic supply chains
in the modern world and due to this nature, there are new challenges and many
opportunities presented. With the fashion industry going global, consumers all over
the world have been affected by this fast and constantly evolving industry disrupting
consumer behavior in the global market.
We need to address the problem of distributing over time a limited amount of
inventory across all the stores in a fast-fashion retail network [1]. The challenges
specific to that environment include very short product life-cycles, and store policies
whereby a reference is removed from display whenever one of its key sizes stocks
out. The fast-fashion retail model gives rise to several important and novel operational challenges such as the problem of distributing over time a limited amount of
merchandise inventory in a retail paradigm (short product life-cycles, store inventory display policies) do justify new approaches. Additionally, the retail operators
are increasingly working in multi-channel and omni-channel environment, wherein
the retail chains have to make their products available over different distribution
channels like own websites, mobile applications (m-apps), third-party websites (e.g.
Jabong, Myntra, Nykaa etc.) and also showrooms.
A sales channel serves two primary functions: delivering information and products
to customers. Omnichannel retailing allows for the decoupling of these two functions
because consumers can learn about products through channels that differ from those
used to purchase them. This decoupling requires a far more sophisticated inventory
and supply chain operation, as well as integration of all customer touchpoints, to
K. Gahletia (B)
School of Management, World University of Design, Sonepat 131029, Haryana, India
e-mail: Komal.gahletia@wud.ac.in
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
A. Majumdar et al. (eds.), Functional Textiles and Clothing 2020,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9376-5_15
205