CARGOCONNECT-MAY23 - Flipbook - Page 35
by letting you do more with
your technical information in
an integrated, highly accessible
yet secure environment.
Companies now have access
to a wealth of information that
can be used to make more
informed decisions about product
mix, pricing, promotions, and
more. Analytics are the key to
help understand how to optimise inventory levels, improve
customer service and ultimately
drive sales and profits.
Our supply chain has combined both supply chain
strategies using the push/
pull method
At Relaxo, our supply chain has
combined both supply chain
strategies using the push/pull
method. This helps save on
inventory costs while reducing the risks of unpredictable
demand, which is so common
in the fashion industry. Under
this configuration, the supply
chain starts as a push system,
where we constantly create raw
material in anticipation of new
product designs. The demand for
new fashion pieces pulls these
materials into new products and
the rest of the supply chain to
end consumers.
We achieved tremendous
growth in the last two decades
in all aspects; we are expecting
consistent growth in the coming
future too. We in majority have
third–party service providers that
we call distributors. In the beginning, we started our business
through wholesale distributors
who were selected on certain
parameters. At present, we have
approximately 800 distributors
spread across 700 towns in India.
In addition to this, we do export
through our own network and
today stand as a global company.
Now, we are in the process of
building our own distribution
infrastructure which will help
us directly reach our consumer.
So, at present, we are focussing
more on our own offline and
online retail business, while we
already have a remarkable presence in these domains. We, at
present, have more than 450 own
retail outlets and are planning to
double the same in this year. We
also are focussing on franchise
outlets and looking to have our
exclusive shop in each corner
including rural markets.
We are shaping up supply
chain strategies considering the present needs and
demands of the market and
consumer and business
growth potentials
Amid the pandemic, we learnt a
lot how business converted from
offline to online, and how product
mix demand patterns changed.
According to the needs of the
market, we changed our strategy.
However, the big challenge was
to focus on our production plan
and balance product availability.
We also drove focus towards our
delivery modes, including crowd
sourcing which reduced the risk
in design decisions for brands and
helped to avoid unsold inventory,
waste, and the need for resorting
to heavy discounts.
We have put in place robust
business strategies to achieve
growth with renewed enthusiasm. We are shaping up supply
chain strategies considering the
present needs and demands of the
market and consumer, and other
business growth potentials. We
are currently working towards
advanced warehouse automation
and introducing new software
modules for smooth functioning.
Recently, we upgraded our SAP
with S4 Hana. So, things are going
in a better direction with high
expectations in the business.
Fast, organised shipping
processes let fashion companies keep up with changing trends and consumer
demands
In any industry, an efficient supply chain is important to make the
product reach the customer on
time, and in optimum condition.
Logistics can take your operations
one step further, ensuring your
planning and shipping procedures
are as organised and efficient as
possible.
Particularly for the fashion
and apparel industry, which
includes a complex, multi-step
supply chain, you need to be
ensured your business’ products
will make it to their destinations
quickly and efficiently. Fast,
organised shipping processes let
fashion companies keep up with
changing trends and consumer
demands.
Importantly, by means of
optimising operations within the
supply chain, maximum level of
efficiency can be achieved, which
in turn, leads to growth for the
business. As per my opinion, the
priorities that stakeholders should
focus on are: i) Movement of Raw
Material, ii.) Effective Human
Resources and, iii.) Logistics and
Transportation. To track, monitor
and optimise these operations, a
network is required which makes
these processes more efficient.
Optimisation within these operations can be reached through
investment in machinery and
equipment, technology, or by
taking the help of a specialist
supply chain management solutions provider.
CARGOCONNECT MAY 2023 | 35
Interviewed by UPAMANYU BORAH
As the industry is
fast-paced and
ever-changing, the
quicker you can bring
product to the market,
the more competitive
your company is likely
to be. So, it is essential
to maintain an agile
supply chain. Effective
and smooth inventory
management is
something that can help
and serve as a strong
boost to this industry.
Learning how to use
various technologies for
the advancement and
developing a powerful
strategy can reduce the
potential for errors and
delays. Simply put,
there are several key
challenges facing
apparel supply chain
management and often,
many of these are
relevant only to fashion
retailers. Hence, fashion
retailers need to figure
out new strategies for
inventory and supply
chain management.