Understanding UPCs For the Fashion Industry

Apparel companies assign product numbers for creating UPCs by following a structured process that involves obtaining a unique UPC prefix and generating unique product identifiers. Here's a step-by-step guide on how apparel companies typically assign product numbers for creating UPCs:

Obtain a UPC Prefix:

Register with GS1, the organization responsible for issuing UPCs globally.

Obtain a unique UPC prefix, which is a series of digits assigned to your company. This prefix identifies your company as the manufacturer or brand owner.

Understand the Structure of the UPC:

The UPC consists of the UPC prefix (assigned to your company) and the item-specific digits, known as the item reference number.

Significance of Directories in the Fashion Industry

In the digital age, search engines have become synonymous with online information retrieval. However, there's another digital tool that holds a vital place in the online ecosystem: directories. These curated listings of websites and businesses are, in many ways, just as crucial as search engines. In this article, we will explore why directories are essential and, specifically, how they benefit the fashion industry. We will also delve into why clothing and footwear companies should consider adding their information to the Apparel Search website directory.

The Importance of Directories in the Fashion Industry

Directories play a pivotal role in the fashion industry, offering several advantages that complement the services provided by search engines:

Focused Curation: Fashion is a diverse and dynamic industry. Directories like Apparel Search are curated to specifically cater to fashion, textiles, footwear, and beauty product companies. This focused curation ensures that businesses can connect with a niche audience interested in their offerings.

Enhanced Visibility: Being listed in a fashion directory increases a company's online visibility within its relevant industry. This visibility can lead to more exposure, potential partnerships, and collaboration opportunities, all of which are crucial in the competitive world of fashion.

Guide to Importing Apparel into the United States

The United States is a major player in the global fashion industry, and importing apparel into the country is a common practice for fashion retailers and wholesalers.  However, the process of importing apparel involves various steps, including choosing the right freight methods, engaging a freight forwarder, and navigating customs clearance. This guide will walk you through the essential steps and considerations for successfully importing apparel into the United States.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Freight Method

One of the first decisions you'll need to make when importing apparel is selecting the appropriate freight method to transport your goods to the United States. There are several options to consider:

Ocean Freight: Ocean freight is the most common method for importing large quantities of apparel. It offers cost-effective transportation but can have longer lead times. You'll need to choose between Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) depending on your shipment's size.

Air Freight: Air freight is the fastest option but is also more expensive. It's ideal for time-sensitive shipments or high-value, low-volume goods.

Rail and Truck: These methods are often used for domestic transportation within the United States or for shipments originating from neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico.

Producing Clothing Made in India verse China

Producing clothing in India and China each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The choice between these two countries depends on various factors, including cost considerations, quality requirements, supply chain efficiency, and more. 

Here's a brief comparison of the pros and cons of producing clothing in India versus China:

A Top Contender Among Apparel Industry Websites

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of fashion, staying ahead of trends and developments is crucial. With the abundance of fashion-related websites available today, choosing the right platforms to source information can be a daunting task. Among the plethora of options, one website stands out as a true contender for a spot in the top 10 apparel industry websites - Apparel Search. In this article, we'll explore why Apparel Search deserves consideration as one of the best in the industry.

Comprehensive Industry Database:

Apparel Search boasts an extensive database that covers all aspects of the fashion industry. From manufacturers and suppliers to retailers and designers, it serves as a comprehensive directory. Whether you're a budding designer seeking suppliers or a retailer looking for the latest collections, this platform is a treasure trove of information.

Up-to-Date Fashion News:

One of the hallmarks of a top apparel industry website is its ability to deliver the latest fashion news. Apparel Search excels in this regard. It provides real-time updates on fashion shows, product launches, and industry developments, keeping fashion enthusiasts and professionals in the loop.

Tapestry to Acquire Capri Holdings

Tapestry, Inc., a house of iconic accessories and lifestyle brands consisting of Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman, and Capri Holdings Limited, a global fashion luxury group consisting of Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Michael Kors, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Tapestry will acquire Capri Holdings. Under the terms of the transaction Capri Holdings shareholders will receive $57.00 per share in cash for a total enterprise value of approximately $8.5 billion.

Issues Facing the Fashion Industry in 2023

In 2023, the fashion industry continues to grapple with several important issues that are shaping its landscape. Here are some of the key challenges and concerns:

Sustainability and Environmental Impact: The fashion industry is under increasing scrutiny for its environmental footprint, including issues related to waste, pollution, and carbon emissions. Consumers are demanding more sustainable practices, such as reducing water usage, utilizing eco-friendly materials, and adopting circular economy models.

How to Cut Fabric Automatically

Are you interested in automatic cutting machines ?

Richpeace Automatic Cutting Solution

Revolutionizing Stonewash Denim

Soorty, Pakistan’s largest vertically integrated denim company has announced its newest innovation, ZERO STONE, a future-proof innovation that will revolutionize the traditional stonewash in the denim laundry. ZERO STONE offers several environmental and social advantages in the denim world, such as minimal use of natural resources, positive effluent discharge, increase in the speed of production permitting usage of lower laser power & prevention of fabric tearing during laundry.

About the Bias Cut

In regard to cutting fabric or clothing the bias-cut is a cut obliquely or diagonally across the grain.

When working with woven textiles the grain refers to the orientation of the weft and warp threads. The three named grains are straight grain, cross grain, and the bias grain.  In sewing, a pattern piece can be cut from fabric in any orientation, and the chosen grain or orientation will affect the way the fabric hangs and stretches and thus the fit of a garment. Generally speaking a piece is said to be cut on a particular grain when the longest part of the pattern or the main seams of the finished piece are aligned with that grain.

• Non-woven materials such as felt, interfacing or leather do not have a grain.

Global Activewear Market Rollercoaster 2020

2020 has been a rollercoaster year for a good number of industries and activewear is no exception.

US Athleisure Items to Account for 31% of Apparel Sales in December 2020

Nike had a 75% increase in online sales during its Q4 FY2020 which ended in June 2020. eCommerce accounted for 30% of its total revenue as it closed 90% of retail stores. Its online sales rose by 82% during its Q1 FY2021 which ended on August 31, 2020, with total revenue at $10.6 billion and net profit at $1.5 billion.

According to the research data analyzed and published by Comprar Acciones, the global activewear market is expected to be worth $353.45 billion in 2020. It is projected to have a 3.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2020 and 2026 to reach $439.17 billion by the end of the period.

Article by Nica San Juan posted January 21, 2021 at Compraracciones.com

Mozu Hanger to Revolutionize the Clothes Hanging

The Mozu Hanger revolutionizes the way clothes are hung. Promising no more stretched collars and offering one-handed removal of clothes means the Mozu Hanger is the perfect addition to any closet.

Volta M150 tabletop Pad Printer Machine for tagless printing

Boston Industrial Solutions, Inc. introduces the Volta™ M150 pad printer machine. The Volta™ M150 is an industrial, semi automatic, high speed, one color tabletop printer. It is designed and manufactured for demanding heavy duty performance.

USA Fiber, Yarn, Sewing, Fight Against COVID-19

Yes, manufacturing in the United States contributes greatly to the fight against COVID-19.  Learn about fabric suppliers & sewing facilities in the USA that are stepping up.  And guess what these suppliers have in common.  They are obtaining yarn or fiber from Unifi.

Unifi, Inc. one of the world's leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, recognizes the hard work that its customers are doing in supplying critical products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unifi supplies yarns and fibers to more than 100 companies that are producing the masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment needed by our first responders, medical personnel and military. 

“We have customers actively engaged in the fight against COVID-19,” said Tom Caudle, President & Chief Operating Officer of Unifi. "We’re proud that our company is playing a part in that fight by providing the fiber they need.” 

Domestic Apparel Manufacturing Opportunities Covid-19 Crisis

A webinar to learn about current national, California state and local programs and initiatives for companies in the Textiles and Apparel industry to take part in the efforts to retool and rebuild the supply chain.

Friday, April 24, 2020 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET Cost: There is no cost to view this webinar.

Recycled Apparel Tag Fasteners Ecotach

A complete line of new sustainable product solutions called Ecotach™ is now available from Avery Dennison Fastener Solutions. The Ecotach line of sustainable fasteners is designed specifically to meet the needs of environmentally conscious apparel retailers, brand owners and consumers who want to reduce their environmental footprint.

Manufacturing Respirator Masks

Monterey Mills and Eder Flag, team up to start manufacturing of much-needed respirator masks

Monterey Mills based in Janesville, WI is the largest textile mill of its kind in North America, and supplier of knitted pile fabric used in a variety of medical and air-filtration products. Eder Flag, based in Oak Creek, WI is the nation’s largest manufacturer of flags and flagpoles and is converting part of its flag-sewing operations to produce the barrier masks.

Protective Masks for Covid-19 Pandemic

Protective masks for Covid-19 are being worked on by the apparel industry.

Hospitals across the country face dwindling supplies of medical equipment.  Hospitals have been rationing supplies and some have been asking staff to reuse masks until they become soiled.

Although factories already exist that produce protective apparel, they are clearly overwhelmed by the speed of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Several apparel industry companies are stepping up to help.

Also, craft stores are teaching us how to make protective masks at home.

Hanes Face Masks

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitals & first responders are facing shortages of personal protective equipment.

Hanes is retrofitting plants to make medical masks.

It has been reported that Hanes is sharing its design with Fruit of the Loom, SanMar, Beverly Knits and the National Council of Textile Organizations, as part of an effort led by yarn manufacturer Parkdale Mills America.

The Hanes design has apparently been approved by the Federal Drug Administration for use.

Red Carpet Green Dress

In an exciting new step to expand its impact within the global fashion industry, Red Carpet Green Dress™ has collaborated with textile giant Lenzing’s new luxury brand TENCEL™ Luxe to launch a range of eco-couture textiles. The inaugural launch will deliver a game-changing solution to the fashion world, particularly red carpet fashion, which lacks a comprehensive range of natural material solutions.

Photo Credit: Jose Perez Photography