A Time Efficient Supply Chain Model for an Apparel Company

Abstract: In most market places today competition has become stronger, not only between single companies but between networks of linked partners, known as supply chains. Consumer demands are changing more often and companies have to react quickly when new trends and consumer requirements appear, thus the competition becomes more time-sensitive. This is especially true in the apparel fashion industry because time is a crucial factor and can make the difference between the success or failure of a company in this business. This dissertation deals with the development of a supply chain model for a fashion apparel retailer with focus on short lead-times through the entire supply chain. The basis for this model constitutes on the one hand various theoretical models and time concepts from the literature and on the other hand a case from the succesful fashion retailer Zara. Furthermore, the authors of this dissertation conducted interviews with several store managers before and after they created the model. In the last section an analysis of the interviews conducted after the creation of the model is presented and evaluated. Based on the results of the interviews the authors did some modifications in their supply chain model. The newly created model should give an international fashion apparel retailer ideas to improve parts or even the whole supply chain of it.