Sourcing Journal

“What we’ve seen in the market is that there isn’t a single silver bullet solution capable of mapping an entire brand’s supply chain across every line and stock-keeping unit (SKU),” said Blythe Chorn, managing director of supply chain advisory at KPMG, during a fireside chat moderated by Meghan Hall, business reporter and tech editor at Sourcing Journal. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3VqKHTC

As we look back on the year, here are the 9 biggest footwear and retail layoffs of 2024.

Is Walmart’s rollback on its carbon goals a sign of corporate withdrawals to come? Certainly, the world’s No. 1 retailer’s announcement that it’s poised to undershoot its targets to reduce planet-heating emissions by the end of the decade doesn’t augur well for the industry at large.

Shein, Temu, AliExpress, TikTok Shop and other China-founded e-commerce platforms have been at the heart of some of my coverage throughout 2024. As the year comes to a close, I chatted with Ram Ben Tzion, Juozas Kaziukėnas and Jason Goldberg for Sourcing Journal to recap the biggest trends and moves that impacted the low-cost e-commerce space. They had some interesting insights to share on the platforms' regulatory futures, the newest player on the block (Amazon Haul) and more. You can read it here: https://lnkd.in/eawRvN6v

As rules and regulations—like the Fashion Act in the United States and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in Europe—and consumer demand for sustainability continue to grow, fashion companies across the globe are under pressure to quickly adapt their operations. With sustainability at the core of Copen’s ethos, the global supplier of pocketing, waistbands and linings has managed to stay ahead of the curve. In fact, even with the introduction of new sustainability policies coming into effect in 2025, Copen has continued to innovate and integrate eco-friendly practices across its operations—from providing origin information and certifications on all its products to expanding its cotton pocketing offerings. Here, Kevin Bardsley, managing director of Copen United Ltd. Europe and board member of Copen United, discusses how the company is meeting market and regulatory demands while continuing its strategic expansion plan in countries like Mexico, Egypt and Israel.

Sourcing Journal turned 15 in 2024, and Cotton Incorporated has been a long-term partner since the publication's early days. Learn more about the collaboration that has resulted in valuable insights, objective and helpful content, and meaningful activations: https://bit.ly/4fGW2X0

Former President Jimmy Carter passed away Sunday at the age of 100, leaving behind a nuanced legacy and a number of lasting trade and logistics policies. Once a peanut farmer from Georgia, the 39th president was known chiefly for his post-White House humanitarian accomplishments. But as Commander in Chief, Carter had an outsized impact on trade relationships with both allies and adversaries, the consequences of which still reverberate today.

Trade, regulation, sustainability and sourcing remained top of mind for industry insiders throughout 2024. But over the course of the past 12 months, a number of key topics emerged as year-defining themes for fashion. A historic election made “tariffs” the year’s undisputed, if unexpected, buzzword. And in the wake of astronomical growth from players like Shein and Temu, “de minimis”—the trade provision that allows small e-commerce shipments to make their way to shoppers’ doorsteps duty-free—also got substantial play. With an incoming administration already shaking up the landscape for global trade relationships, trade agreements have become central to discussions in the fashion sourcing sector and beyond, while the concepts of nearshoring and onshoring have continued to gain traction. And a shifting regulatory atmosphere surrounding labor and the environment has brought about a focus on compliance. click here for a compilation of the year’s most powerful and persuasive commentary on these subjects and more: https://bit.ly/4iW9qt6

Bangladesh’s reign as the world’s second-largest exporter of garments after China could soon be overthrown by Vietnam, providing one of the clearest signs that its economic and political woes have taken a material toll over the past year.

As speed to market, streamlined color communication and supply chain visibility become increasingly critical for brands and retailers, having the right tools in place to address these challenges is essential. Helping its clients navigate these demands, global software and certification company Natific has developed a robust suite of solutions. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4gLLEhw