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Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Why Fashion’s Inventory Problem Is Back (And How to Solve It)

A combination of shipping delays and misjudging consumer demand has caused products to pile up. Retailers are using a mix of discounts and more creative measures to bring them back down.
Model in a yellow dress sitting in front of a yellow wall. She wears black strappy sandals.
Tanya Taylor predicted that she would have excess inventory by the end of summer, so proactively, the designer held a shopping event Charleston, South Carolina — charging full price. (Tanya Taylor)

Tanya Taylor entered summer with heaps of her signature floral dresses and a sense of unease.

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Further Reading

How Fashion Can Tackle Its Supply Chain Crisis

Between factory lockdowns and a shipping crunch, the pandemic is making it difficult for brands to take advantage of surging demand. BoF spoke with experts about how to make the best of a bad situation.

Why Fashion Can’t Escape the Discount Cycle

Last year, American retailers seemed to have broken their habit of relying on deep promotions, thanks to limited inventory and pent-up demand. These beneficial circumstances, experts say, may be disappearing in 2022.

About the author
Cathaleen Chen
Cathaleen Chen

Cathaleen Chen is Retail Editor at The Business of Fashion. She is based in New York and drives BoF’s coverage of the retail and direct-to-consumer sectors.

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