To achieve a more sustainable future, the UK apparel industry must embrace technology, collaborate across the supply chain, promote employee well-being and win buy-in from the very top, according to "Talking strategy: what will drive the UK apparel industry going forward?" -- an 11-page report from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence.

Technology will form the backbone of the industry's strategy of achieving sustainability. In fact, digital technologies will represent an essential component in the delivery of the change which the industry requires in order to realise a more sustainable future.

For the most part, the technology already exists to support this, and it can help with a number of sustainability initiatives -- including supply chain traceability, reducing materials usage, delivering greater business resilience through better planning, intelligent market management and channel allocation, and the adoption of new business models.

However, digital transformation can require significant investment. As a result, commitment to change needs to come from the top. Without buy-in at senior level and strategic implementation, digital transformation will not be achieved and initiatives will not succeed.

Furthermore, without top level support and an integrated transformation programme, efforts may be hindered by a lack of alignment on targets and a failure to understand the changes to operating models and capabilities which are required.

As well as digital technologies, the apparel industry must embrace collaboration if it is to achieve a more sustainable future and adapt to current and future challenges. Importantly, collaboration must occur up the supply chain, down the supply chain, and from peer to peer. Also, it must be fair and equal, and all voices must be heard.

Too often, suppliers and manufacturers are not represented when the industry comes together and it will not be possible to achieve transformation without them. Also, it is essential that big brands do not railroad smaller ones, and that there is a sharing of learning between competitors.

Furthermore, in order to effectively manage the challenges facing the industry, there is a need for employees who are skilled and knowledgeable, and are supported in creating the transformative solutions which will deliver beneficial outcomes for their organisations and the industry.

Creating a positive environment by promoting employee well-being is key to building a productive workforce which is able to focus on achieving higher organisational performance and can address current and future sustainability goals.

Ends.

"Talking strategy: what will drive the UK apparel industry going forward?" is available for purchase from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence and costs £160 (UK), Euro290 (Europe, Middle East or Africa) or US$385 (Americas or Asia Pacific). For further information or to purchase this report, visit https://bit.ly/3Onc0tk

The report is also available in Issue No 51 of Global Apparel Markets. Other reports published in this issue include: "Prospects for the textile and clothing industry in India, 2022", "Global apparel markets: product development and innovations, November 2022", "Global apparel trade and trade policy: the EU clothing import market and its ten largest supplying countries, November 2022", and "Global apparel markets: business update, November 2022".

Global Apparel Markets is published four times a year by Textiles Intelligence. Each issue provides an independent and worldwide perspective on the global apparel industry.

A year's printed subscription to Global Apparel Markets costs £945 (UK), Euro1,645 (Europe, Middle East or Africa) or US$2,120 (Americas or Asia Pacific). An electronic supplement is also available; please contact Textiles Intelligence for details. Single issues and multi-report packages are available on request. To download a sample issue of Global Apparel Markets, visit https://bit.ly/3TOEcX6

For further information about all Textiles Intelligence publications, please visit www.textilesintelligence.com