Sourcing raw materials is a crucial part of any successful merchandising operation. In such a scenario, merchandisers must use a savvy sourcing technique. Soon after receiving the technical package sheet, merchandisers rush to secure the necessary raw materials, including fabrics and trimmings & accessories. First, they verify all the order information, paying close attention to the technical standards. Then, determine how much raw materials will be needed to complete the order. Merchandisers then begin the process of acquiring such items. Let’s quickly go through clothing merchandising, trimmings, and accessories before moving on to the sourcing approach.
What is merchandising
The term “merchandise,” which means “product,” is where “merchandising” gets its origin. Merchandising, then, initially meant everything that went into making and selling a product. Many authors have attempted to define merchandising; but, in practice, merchandising may be summed up as the steps taken to ensure that an order is properly executed from receipt through shipping. That’s right, from taking orders to delivering them to customers, it’s all part of garment retailing. But remember that merchants don’t really make anything; they just make sure it is made on time and to the right quality standards (lead time). Therefore, it is fair to say that there are at least three people involved in the merchandising process: I the buyer, who needs the garments and places the orders, (ii) the factories, which actually make the garments, and (iii) the merchandisers, who act as a go-between for the buyers and the factories.
Trims and accessories
As well as the textiles, a large number of other raw components are needed to make the clothing. Trims and accessories refer to all the components of a garment outside the cloth itself. The distinction between trims and accessories is subtle but significant. The term “trims” is used to describe the fundamental components used in the production of the clothes. The thread, button, and zipper used in sewing are all examples of trimmings. On the other hand, the phrase “accessories” refers to the raw materials used to make the finished clothing marketable. You may find a variety of clothing accessories at stores, such as the aforementioned cartons, polybags, hangers, hang-tags, etc.
Effective sourcing strategy
The word “sourcing” encompasses a wide range of methods used in procurement that are designed to track down, evaluate, and work with providers that have the goods or services in question.
Merchandisers often get samples of anything from garments to fabrics to dye lots to trimmings and accessories from buyers. These samples may be obtained in two ways: visually and physically. If the samples are real or digital, buyers will provide detailed technical instructions for each.
Looking for potential suppliers
Merchandisers choose possible suppliers for a certain item shortly after receiving the tech pack based on the vendors’ track records of making similar products. These suppliers are chosen by merchants based on several factors, including past work, client recommendations, product catalogs, brochures, websites, etc. Most of the time, though, they choose their vendors without consulting anybody else outside their own personal networks.
Feasibility meeting with potential suppliers
Once a short list of prospective vendors has been compiled, a meeting will be scheduled by the merchandisers. During this conference, the technical characteristics of the manufactured goods are discussed and assessed in depth by the merchandisers. This helps vendors assess whether or not they can go through with a manufacturing run.
Booking for sample development
If the vendors think they can pull it off, they are given the go-ahead to create a prototype unit that meets all of the specifications. The supplier makes a duplicate of the item for future reference or takes any photos or notes they deem relevant. Providers are allotted a certain amount of time in which to hand in the finished product.
Sample Check and Send to Buyer
Very quickly after obtaining the created item(s) from various suppliers, the merchandising team performs a thorough comparison to the customers’ first sample. If they find that the products generated are satisfactory or improved upon, they are presented to the customer for final approval. These produced samples are supplied by various providers in a variety of forms, the most common of which are Option-A, Option-B, and Option-C. Merchants provide samples to individual customers in accordance with their preferred submission format.
Price fixation
The merchandiser will only make contact with the supplier whose option has been accepted or revised after receiving approval or revision feedback. The merchandising staff then contacts the vendor to resolve the price concerns. But it’s important to note that here, salespeople don’t consult the views of the approval committee before deciding on a pricing. To put it simply, if the suppliers have access to the remarks of approval, they will ask for a much higher price.
Bulk Booking
After collecting feedback and settling on a pricing, the merchandiser makes a bulk booking for the necessary trims or accessories based on the order’s consumption. There is a window of time (lead time) allotted to suppliers for the manufacturing process. They should check if the product is available in-house within the specified lead time on the booking form.
Factors to considered before choosing suppliers
When deciding on a vendor, a retailer must take a number of considerations into account. For the most part, she or he does not choose who provides the accessories and trimmings. Because of their importance to the merchandising process, suppliers must guarantee the quality, quantity, and lead time. A merchandiser’s job is made much simpler with the help of an efficient sourcing approach. The following are the most important considerations for every merchant:
- Quality,
- Price,
- Product development capacity
- Lead time,
- Comply with social issue,
- Previous encounters.
Conclusion
Trims and accessories have a significant part in the garment sector and apparel industry. With choosing the right kind of fabric trim you can create a unique piece of cloth. However, selecting the best suppliers is a tough nut to crack. But with these strategies you can ensure authentic trims and accessories for your draft project. You can also checkout fabriclore for guarantee of consistent supply of trims from a plethora of choices. We have a large variety of trims such as lace trim, tassel trim, buttons and may more.
