Fashion’s top supply chain shifts decoded: navigate disruptions
Embark on a journey with BlueCherry's 10th Annual Report, unveiling the shifts that have reshaped the retail, fashion, and supply chain landscape:
Year-over-year: 2024-2025
Economic and political uncertainty rose 9 percentage points year-over-year as a serious problem with tariffs being the primary concern cited in open-ended responses. By 2025, 40% of respondents considered it a serious issue, up from 31% in 2024.
Advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) leapfrogged on respondents' radar. Data-driven insight is the new gold standard behind success. In 2025, 72% stated they had AI projects in process or planned versus 49% in 2024.
Merchandise demand planning climbed on corporate agendas. Why? Increased complexity of the product/sales channel mix. Earlier order commitments to mitigate risks and flexibility to react to trends.
5 years: 2021-2025
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted businesses from 2020 to 2024, prompting accelerated tech investments to enhance supply chain visibility and comply with changing regulations.
E-commerce sales surged, with 69% of respondents identifying online marketplaces as a growth opportunity in 2022, rising to 81% by 2025.
Nearshoring and reshoring became a top priority in 2025, driven by tariff threats and demand for faster fulfillment, with importance jumping from 14% in 2024 to 45% in 2025.
Sustainability gained prominence, with ESG becoming a priority for 51% in 2020 and 61% having related tech projects by 2025.
10 years: 2016-2025
Analytics have been a top priority throughout the decade, with 72% of respondents having analytics/AI projects in process or planned by 2025.
Challenges shifted from internal processes like production and inventory management to external forces such as supply chain visibility and economic uncertainties over the past five years.
Digital transformation has driven advancements in collaboration, efficiency, and supply chain visibility. Initially focused on internal connectivity, it now aims for real-time inventory visibility and factory automation. Investment in digital transformation grew from 25% in 2016 to 72% by 2023, with a further 9 percentage-point gain in digital process improvement between 2024 and 2025
What’s inside:
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SVG
AI and advanced analytics are transforming the industry:Learn how these technologies are revolutionizing merchandise demand planning and decision-making processes.
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SVG
Nearshoring is reshaping supply chain strategies:Uncover the drivers behind this shift, including tariff concerns, the need for quicker order fulfillment, and increased supply chain resilience.
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SVG
Sustainability and ESG are now central to business operations:Learn how companies are integrating ESG principles into their operations, driving changes in sourcing, production, and transparency across the industry.
CUSTOMER PROFILE
Manufacturer of men’s basics: focuses on performance, sustainability, and smart design, serving major brands like Walmart, Wrangler, TJ Maxx, and Realtree.
Technology partner: utilizes BlueCherry for ERP, PLM, and EDI to streamline processes.
Transformational results: reduced warehouse stock by 30% and retail inventory by 50% between 2023 and 2024.
Future focus: maintaining healthy inventory levels, improving raw material planning, and exploring AI for future growth.
Download now to get actionable insights from industry leaders in fashion and manufacturing:
Discover how top companies like Confexsa, La Vie en Rose, and Grey Matter are leveraging technology to navigate supply chain disruptions
Learn strategies to implement AI, nearshoring, and sustainability initiatives that drive competitive advantage
Gain valuable perspective on a decade of supply chain evolution to future-proof your operations
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