Combining people, data, and technology for a sustainable, profitable, and efficient apparel industry

As an inside eye from PlatformE, I keep noticing that the fashion industry is no stranger to chaos, and boy, has it been facing some major disruptions lately! From supply chain shake-ups to fickle consumer demands, it's high time for companies to get their tech game on point. Luckily, there's a whole new world of emerging technologies that can skyrocket sustainability, supercharge workflow organization, slash costs, and give you the coveted gift of traceability and accuracy.

So, strap in as I share my pick of 2023's hottest tech trends that'll fuel fashion digital transformation and ensure you stay ahead of the game for the rest of the year.

Let's talk about a nightmare scenario that keeps brands and retailers up at night: stocks and discounts spiraling out of control. Seriously, it's like a never-ending horror story. But fear not! There are a couple of ways to combat this madness. You can go the reactive route by slashing prices, launching holiday sales, or giving products a second chance at life (with product personalization) instead of sending them straight to landfill oblivion.

So, why be reactive when you can be a proactive powerhouse? Be the brand that produces precisely what consumers crave, without drowning in excess inventory. And for goodness' sake, price your products right, without resorting to desperate discounts left and right. One of the hottest trends of 2023 is AI benchmarking solutions that give you the superpower to monitor your competitors and buying trends in real-time. Keep your eyes peeled!

Sustainability is the talk of the town, and the fashion industry is a notorious player in the global game of environmental havoc. A staggering fact: every single second, a truckload of garments gets dumped into landfills worldwide. Yikes! However, consumers are waking up to this catastrophe and starting to reimagine their fashion consumption.

In 2023, hopping onto the "On Demand" train is your golden ticket. By nearshoring production and manufacturing only when consumers hit that magical purchase button, you'll be creating a lean, mean fashion machine that wastes nothing. From the initial order to On Demand production, you've got the power to orchestrate the entire process. Efficiency is the name of the game, folks, and don't forget the game-changing 3D design and sampling to seal the deal.

Oh, and let's not overlook real-time data! Get ready to embrace data as your best partner helping to make the right decision - from design to planning, to inventory management. With this innovative tech, brands can increase the adoption rate by a magnitude. This adds up to massive gains in sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Now, collaboration is where the magic happens in the manufacturing process. Sharing accurate data with the right people in a single place, tossing those pesky spreadsheets aside, and streamlining the workflow—these are the tech trends to look for in 2023 and beyond.

Using a real-time data product development and production ordering platform means automating mundane tasks, freeing up time for your brilliant minds to make game-changing decisions and create collections that'll make people drool. Consumers' demands are evolving fast; they no longer want to wait 6 to 18 months to buy an item.

The right product at the right time in the market, my friends, is the secret ingredient to success in Fashion.

As leaders in the industry, it is imperative for brands, suppliers, and retailers to seek alternative solutions that not only reduce pollution but also maximize value. In line with our commitment to positive change, PlatformE made the strategic decision last year to invest in developing a new SaaS offering that specifically addresses overproduction within the value chain (exciting developments to come!). This presents us with a unique opportunity to drive transformative change and shape a brighter future for all.