Sourcing series news and archive

Sourcing opportunities: some conclusions

IN_DEPTH_ After spending the last few weeks looking at the world of garment sourcing from all possible angles – consumers, buyers, suppliers and workers – and getting valuable input from our readers, it has emerged that rather than a problem, the recent crisis is on its way to becoming an opportunity for change. The last installment in our...

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Sourcing and production in the EU

IN_DEPTH_ With sourcing in so-called low-wage countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, India and others running into their own set of problems like noncompliance with fire and safety standards and minimum wages among the gravest ones, some in the industry would like a complete or partial pull-out of these countries. In this next installment...

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Young, poor, hopeful – workers in sourcing countries

A fire at garment factory Ali Enterprises in Karachi, Pakistan on September 11 2012 killed 315 workers and injured more than 250; the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Greater Dhaka, Bangladesh, which housed five garment factories, cost the lives of 1,127 workers and injured more than 2,500. Structural flaws and a violation of building and...

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Fact or fiction: responsible sourcing in Bangladesh

IN_DEPTH_ Much has been written in the past few months about textile and garment factories in sourcing countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia, Indonesia and others; one horror story has chased another: Workers trapped by locked fire exits and grilled windows, workers fainting due to exhaustion and non-ventilated work areas and workers...

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Are buyers paying the price for producing cheap?

IN_DEPTH_ In connection with the recent disasters in garment factories in Pakistan, Bangladesh and other sourcing countries, many international brands and retailers have been in the news for producing in the factories involved. Their strategies for dealing with the situation (a potential PR nightmare) have been as diverse as the brands...

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The price of a pair of jeans – who profits?

IN_DEPTH_ Though often divided, retailers, brands, factories and suppliers are more often than not in complete agreement when it comes to the question of margins. There just seems to never be enough of a profit to cover even basic costs, let alone invest in things like better wages and improved worker safety. How can these essentials move from “...

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What to buy - can consumers make a difference?

IN_DEPTH_ In view of the recent tragic accidents in sourcing countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Cambodia, what can consumers do to make sure the clothes they buy are not produced in unsafe factories? Can they do anything? This next installment in our sourcing series takes a look at different options. Let’s first examine a common assumption...

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Tackling the sourcing problem: a closer look

IN_DEPTH_ Fires, building collapses and worker protests – the sourcing end of the textile and garment manufacturing industry is going through a crisis like rarely before. And everyone is affected - from workers (many of whom lost their lives), factory owners and suppliers to buyers and consumers. In a new series, FashionUnited is taking a closer...