Information about the apparel industry continues to change through discoveries of new fabrics and manufacturing processes, IT development and the huge growth in overseas imports and exports. As the apparel industry market changes, you need to take a step back to regard the entire retail apparel industry before making any of your own internal changes or starting out in the industry. The apparel industry offers small to large businesses more and more options for trade and, to remain competitive, you should have a clear idea of where your business will fit in the overall changing apparel industry.

Advanced technology programs for the accessories industry can easily be integrated into your current operations with the right kind of systems. You’ll find many of the high- tech apparel and accessories industry resources are user-friendly and a welcomed addition to the manufacturing process. Before making any major purchases or changes, look at a general apparel and accessories industry information overview from a number of perspectives.

1. Find the leading apparel industry resources

2. Look for information about the apparel industry

3. Investigate apparel industry resources from trade groups

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stick with respected apparel industry reference materials

New vendors are opening regularly who claim to offer the apparel research. You should shop around and consider how long a company has been dealing in apparel industry reference materials. Ask for references and inquire among your peers about the various apparel resources they use.

I recommend: Go to the Alacra Store to purchase up-to-date analysis written by third party researchers. Search through the list of links from various respected sources to read about the issues that most affect your business and give you the widest overview of the industry. Apparel Search is a leading industry directory that can provide a complete overview of all areas affecting the apparel industry market, from textile manufacturing to fashion, freight and warehousing throughout the industry worldwide.

Use apparel and accessories industry resources for an overview

Information about the apparel industry is widely available through many of the apparel publications available online and in hard copy print versions. While you may get email alerts from your vendors, you'll want to get a complete picture before starting a business or expanding your current operations.

I recommend: You can get a complete over view of the apparel and accessories industries through Plunkett Research in a variety of forms. Sign up for online access to industry analysis and overview papers or purchase the information on books and CDs. Get continued overview reports through email alerts and RSS feeds. Read Women's Wear Daily to keep up with fashion and business trends affecting the apparel industry.

Trust your sources at retail apparel industry associations

Trade associations are non-profit groups that support the interest of the entire industry rather than specific commercial entities. The paid staff of the industry associations serve the wishes of the board, typically comprised of leaders form a variety of businesses who look for wide resources and information that will be helpful to its membership.

I recommend: Find an unbiased overview of the industry, including manufacturers, suppliers and retailers as well as governmental policies by joining the American Apparel and Footwear Association. Since 1962, the National Association for the Sewn Products Industry has been providing members with resources and can be a useful source to learn more about the history of apparel industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for online apparel and accessories industry resources with deep links so that you can find an overview of specific issues that affect your own business interests.

The apparel industry is an exciting profession. It's creative, stylish and even glamorous to see others wearing your designs. Maybe you have the ideas, an eye for detail and the designs to create authentic apparel and accessories. However, jump-starting a fashion company takes more than passion and the ability to create. It also takes knowledge of the apparel industry and more importantly, the apparel industry market.

The retail apparel industry is a competitive and sometimes unstable business. Trends are here today and gone tomorrow. So it helps if you equip yourself with as many resources to help you roll with the tide. Here are several tips.

1. Whether you are interested in the accessories industry or apparel, it is important to research your market. Investigate the trends and discover the business side of fashion from the inside out. Research market research companies to determine your demographic.

2. Complete a thorough analysis of the fabrics, hardware and materials you will need so you won't have too much surplus on your hands.

3. Find retail outlets to sell to the apparel industry market.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Prepare for apparel industry success

Utilizing market research data, forecast what your business will look like 1 year to 3 years from now. Take into consideration where you live and customer demand. Not every design is a hit in every city and not every trend sticks around for 3 years, so be flexible while remaining true to your creativity.

I recommend: Organize your thoughts for execution with a business plan. There are several templates out there to help. Download a free template from Scribd. It does a great job explaining each section. Formatted as a MS Word document, complete your apparel industry market plan and upload it for feedback from the Scribd community. Get great apparel industry resources in pattern making and standard sizing information from Fashiondex. Obtain market research data from Plunkett Research.

Find a manufacturer with apparel and accessories industry resources

The retail apparel industry thrives from the availability to produce unique items in bulk. Research manufacturers will reproduce designs to your specifications at a low price.

I recommend: Check the apparel industry directory at Apparel Search. The National Register publishes a directory of manufacturers in the apparel and accessories industry. Available in hard cover, CD or online access, this resource is used by Fortune 500 companies and start-ups alike. In addition, check out the free trial at Selectory where you can research a variety of apparel manufacturers. Find apparel industry news, guides and directories at Apparel or Women's Wear Daily,

Obtain retail space for the apparel industry market

One of the inexpensive ways to obtain retail space is to build a website. With no overhead, showcase a few pieces and sell them online. You don't have to be an expert to build a website. Many computer programs have templates to help you create a simple online experience.

I recommend: Open a PayPal account for your website. If building a website is too much of a hassle for you, there are online retailers such as ApparelLink that will create and host your website for a small fee. Visit PartnerUp, a database for commercial real estate, and browse what is available in your area if you're wanting a storefront to display your apparel items.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember that customer service is key. Don't promise what you can't deliver. Contingency plans are always beneficial and evaluating new apparel information will help you make quality decisions to help your business grow.

Apparel and accessories industry resources keep you updated on all aspect of the apparel industry from retail apparel industry information to manufacturing news, global trading reports publications and other vital apparel research. Get hooked into apparel and accessories industry information by joining trade groups and receiving apparel industry market newsletters and email alerts. Apparel industry reference materials can keep you in the loop with governmental and technological changes that could affect your business.

Apparel industry resources are important in order to keep up with regulatory changes as well as to know about markets that could provide your firm additional accessories industry opportunities. By using apparel and accessories industry information, you can streamline your service department and avoid missteps while trying to navigate new markets on your own. Take advantage of every profitable opportunity using apparel and accessories industry information.

1. Use apparel resources to find new customers

2. Use information about the apparel industry to keep your pricing competitive

3. Use apparel industry resources for marketing ideas

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stay connected to develop apparel industry leads

While you need to continue to service your existing clientele, you should participate in associations and trade groups to get sales leads for potential clients to grow your business. You need to be armed with the trade group's information about the apparel industry to fit in with its membership.

I recommend: Members of the American Fiber Manufacturers Association can keep up with industry information and changes while making important contacts in the industry. Use your membership in the United States Association of Textiles and Apparel to keep up with the global marketplace and to take part in the lobbying efforts of the group designed to improve the interests of the apparel industry and its place in the world.

Know the apparel industry landscape

Whether you are selling clothes or making products for the accessories industry, you need to know what's going on in the market place and with your competitors so that you can prepare for big changes and keep your pricing competitive. Good apparel industry resources will provide you with all the updated information you need for your company.

I recommend: Use the apparel industry market reports from IBIS to help with forecasting and business plans. The in-depth market reports include movement among the industry leaders as well as industry growth rates and trends forecasting. Once you begin using the research provided by Packaged Facts regarding the apparel industry, you will be armed with the information you need to make educated plans and decisions about your company’s future.

Tap into the advice you glean from apparel industry reference materials

By subscribing to industry magazines and newsletters and regularly visiting websites that provide apparel and accessories information, you can pick up best practice ideas from experts who write for the publications. While you are keeping up with the news that affects your business, look for ideas to market your company and generate sales lead.

I recommend: Read Fashion Industry News to stay on top of the latest trends and marketing news and information affecting the apparel and garment industries from the retail perspective to the manufacturing arena. Subscribe to the Apparel Strategist to keep up on the news and trends that industry leaders are making and how they affect your current business practices.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Begin using apparel and accessories industry information for other ways to build your business such as bringing new training to your team or finding new funding streams. While you're using your resource base, keep your eye out for all they ways you can get the most information from a single source.

There are many facets to the apparel and accessories industry since this industry is made up of companies that design and manufacture clothing for men, women and children, as well as handbags, footwear, leather items, luggage, jewelry and watches. Knowing what accessory industry key terms mean is vital for those who work in retail and distribution of fashion accessories. Using these key terms in your business dealings with designers, cutters and manufacturers will make your business communications and production more efficient and profitable.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Samples

Samples of clothing and accessories show buyers and merchandisers what finished products will look like. There are companies that specialize in creating clothing and accessory samples for those who plan to purchase the finished products to sell in their retail stores and businesses.

I recommend: Learn about clothing samples at Elite Samples.

Raw materials

There are three kinds of raw materials that are used to create apparel: materials that come from natural plant resources; those that come from animals, such as furs and leathers; and those that are man-made.

I recommend: Gather information about how raw cotton has been used at Cottonman.

Knitting mills

Since knitting by hand is time-consuming and not cost-effective for a large clothing apparel business, items are often created at knitting mills. Knitting mills produce knit goods such as hats, sweaters, scarves and mittens in high volume for apparel manufacturers. There are knitting mills that specialize in creating certain items, such as hosiery, sweaters or undergarments.

I recommend: Read about the history of Ohio Knitting Mills.

Cut-and-sew contractors

Cut-and-sew contractors create clothing for apparel businesses. Many cut-and-sew contractors can mass produce items for shipment to clothing and retail stores.

I recommend: Read about a cut-and-sew contractor at Colorado Contract Cut & Sew.

Pattern drafting and grading

Pattern drafting is the ability to create patterns from clothing sketches to create clothing designs. Pattern grading is the scaling of patterns to different clothing sizes for the retail market.

I recommend: Learn about pattern drafting and grading at Master Pattern.

Sourcing

Sourcing is when businesses want to export products overseas and use a sourcing manager or company to handle negotiations. A sourcing manager or sourcing company can also handle contract agreements about products and shipments, as well as payments for items received.

I recommend: Use the information at International Sourcing Group, Ltd. to learn about factory sourcing.