Garments / Apparel Merchandising Process Flow: A Step-by-Step Guide

Garments / Apparel merchandising process starts once the order / fabric commitment is received and the product development department hands over the file to production merchandiser and ends when the goods reach the buyers.

The entire cycle involves all activities directly or indirectly related to procuring of materials, planning and monitoring of the order.

Process flow chart of apparel merchandising

Step-by-step Process Flow of Apparel Industry, Garments Merchandising

In the apparel industry, garments merchandising is a critical function that involves planning, designing, producing, and distributing clothing products to meet customer demand. The garments merchandising process flow is a complex series of steps that ensure the efficient and effective production of high-quality products. In this blog post, we'll take a step-by-step look at the garments merchandising process flow, highlighting each stage and its importance.

Step 1: Market Research and Trend Analysis

The garments merchandising process begins with market research and trend analysis. This involves studying consumer behavior, identifying trends, and analyzing competitor activity to determine what products will be in demand. This stage helps to identify gaps in the market and opportunities for innovation.

Step 2: Product Design

Once market research has been completed, product design begins. This involves creating prototypes, designing patterns, and selecting fabrics to create the final product. Designers work closely with the production team to ensure that the design is feasible and can be produced efficiently.

Step 3: Fabric Sourcing

Fabric sourcing is the next step in the process flow. This involves selecting the right fabrics for the product, negotiating prices with suppliers, and ensuring that the fabrics meet quality standards.

Step 4: Production Planning

Production planning is critical to ensuring that products are produced on time and to the required quality standards. This involves creating a production schedule, assigning tasks to team members, and ensuring that all necessary resources are available.

Step 5: Production

With the production plan in place, production can begin. This involves cutting fabric, sewing, and finishing the product to meet quality standards.

Step 6: Quality Control

Quality control is an essential stage in the garments merchandising process flow. This involves inspecting products for defects, ensuring that they meet quality standards, and making any necessary repairs or adjustments.

Step 7: Packaging and Shipping

Once products have been quality-checked, they are packaged and shipped to customers. This stage involves selecting packaging materials, labeling products, and ensuring that they are delivered on time.

Step 8: Inventory Management

Inventory management is critical to ensuring that products are stored efficiently and effectively. This involves tracking inventory levels, managing stock levels, and ensuring that products are not overstocked or understocked.

Step 9: Sales and Distribution

The final stage in the garments merchandising process flow is sales and distribution. This involves selling products to customers, managing distribution channels, and ensuring that products are delivered to customers on time.

Conclusion

The garments merchandising process flow is a complex series of steps that ensures the efficient and effective production of high-quality products. By understanding each stage of the process flow, apparel businesses can improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.