The pandemic exposed fractures in fashion supply chains with severe consequences. Factories shut down, materials became scarce, and logistics were disrupted. The ripple effects were felt industry-wide:

Mass stock-outs, order delays, and lost sales
Overreliance on China and other single regions
Surging raw material and transportation costs
Growing consumer demand for supply chain transparency

While easing post-lockdown, risks remain elevated. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has further strained key material supplies like neon gas and minerals. And suppliers still confront soaring energy bills and labor shortages.

In this climate, fashion brands need to rearchitect their sourcing:

Multi-country/region strategies to mitigate geographic risks
Flexible contracts and reserves to hedge cost volatility
Technology to forecast demand and Materials Requirements Planning (MRP)
Circular design and manufacturing to conserve resources

At Manning + Company, we leverage our deep procurement and supply chain networks to help fashion brands secure critical talent for navigating uncertainty, including:

Strategic Sourcing Leaders to revamp global supply ecosystems
Operations Analysts to optimize production planning capabilities
Digital Procurement Specialists to enable transparency and traceability
Sustainability Experts to advise on circularity, emissions, and eco-friendly materials

By strengthening sourcing and supply chain capability, fashion companies can prepare for a turbulent future.