Apparel supply chains model

Sustainable apparel retail would be easy to consider if all retailers had the same business model and if they aU operated as simple intermediaries in a supply chain... 

However, when considering the sustainabUity of apparel retail, the most important aspect of the business model to consider is associated with how the retailer sources products. This activity has the most direct impact on the ability of the retailer to be sustainable. The retailer s products and supply chain are the most significant source of the environmental and social impacts. Up to two-thirds of a retailer s carbon footprint and up to 90% of its water footprint is created by its products and supply chain (WRAP, 2011). And as a retailer s supply chain may have more than 20 times more workers in it than in its retail operation, and often in countries where social issues may be significant, the supply chain is a major source of social and ethical challenges for the retailer. Therefore, the sourcing model for products and suppliers is a critical consideration in the development of a sustainability strategy. 

As individual brands these fundamental issues may seem insurmountable however, in spite of the highly competitive nature of the retail apparel market, a growing group of responsible retailers are tackling these issues together. These retailers have recognized the interdependencies of their businesses within the supply chain and how the development of a more sustainable model is beneficial to individual organizations as well as the industry as a whole. 

Modelling of uncertainties in supply chains has become important with the proliferation of product varieties and the increased volatility of the global market places of the contemporary business environment. For instance, product range and product style in a fashion industry are renewed constandy while in the basic apparel industry, long production and distribution lead times still prevail. Managing business environment dynamics in an uncertain and competitive market is a challenging task and forced many organizations to reform their operational processes. 

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In the case example of Zara apparel company was the strategy a lean supply chain or an agile supply chain Should Zara continue to roll out this business model What additional measures would you recommend to ensure Zara s success in fntnre ... 

Consider Lands End, a mail-order firm that sells apparel. Lands End faces uncertain demand and has to make decisions regarding the number of catalogs to print and mail, the number of units of each product to order, and the contracts to enter into with its suppliers. The general manager at Lands End wants to evaluate different policies before implementing them. A simulation reqnires the manager to create a computer model that mimics the orders placed, inventory held, cnstomer demand, and other processes that are part of the Lands End supply chain. 

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