Fast to Fashion

I recently read yet another article discussing the “fast fashion” boom within the world and how fast fashion companies have double their global footprint.  However, this Reuters’ article written by consumer retail reporter Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Analysis: Retailers play catch-up in fashion speed race, goes more in depth on the tactics and strategies of the fast fashion company. 

Methods of retail fashion distributions are changing amidst fast fashion competitors.  Traditional fashion retailers now have to play catch up to Europe and Japanese based retailers that are either cheaper, trendier or both.  Essentially, companies such as the Gap Inc., American Eagle Outfitters and Macy's Inc. now have to place smaller orders in more factories in order to have a quick turnaround in order to get new designs and colors to the cheap, picky, young shopper faster.

            I have mentioned in previous blog post that fast fashion companies like Uniqlo (Which is quickly becoming a favorite of mind), H&M, Forever21, and Zara are popular because they are able to follow trends quicker and push out their product faster, hence fast fashion.

            Here, honestly I feel companies like the Gap, Macy’s and maybe American Eagle Outfitters are losing their luster. As a teenager I loved the Gap, the Gap, I feel it is as American as apple pie but it is also old too. Maybe, I have lost my taste for The Gap’s clothing, including Old Navy but not so much Banana Republic.  I now find myself constantly drifting into H&M, Zara and sometime Forever21 to check out their men’s selection and most times, I come out with an item. When I go into the Gap, or Old Navy there is nothing about their selection that grabs me, my taste and the world is ever-so changing. Maybe it is their contemporary and traditional look that steers me away, however I do not steer too far because I still occasionally buy from Banana Republic which is own by Gap Inc. I never shop at American Eagle Outfitter but I do shop at Macy’s usually to buy accessories, shoes and dress shirts.    

            I suggest you the read article, it give good insight into how traditional retail companies are trying to cut down the stock of clothes that they have in warehouse and distribute the clothing faster in order to ‘keep up with the joneses’ that are the fast fashion companies. Good source on how to compete   with fast fashion companies.