GARMENT INDUSTRY

Garment industry has a wide-ranging spectrum involving many businesses, skills and innovations as it offers benefits to a large chunk of society as per the inputs and winds the wheel of economic activities and offers opportunities and dividends to many

Garment industry took birth in Cleveland in 1860 when a huge number of garments were required to be supplied to the miners, sailors’ slaves and US Army. The Cleveland garment industry reached its peak in 1920 and onward when it was ranked close to New York’s industry and the situation remained the same till World War II and the depression when many Cleveland factories were closed down or moved away from the city. The rise and fall of the garment industry was no exception as it faced the same fate what other industries had seen during the depression period. But this transitional phase provided very foundations of modern ready to wear garment industry.

Till the 19^th century, garments had been prepared at home or by tailors or seamstresses for some affluents and fashionables but still hand sewn. It took boost when engine was invented and variety of looms were introduced. The fabric production was mechanized and cloth was being produced at largescale. Moreover, sizing issue was resolved by taking measurements of thousands of men and boys largely belonged to the US Army during civil war, sailors’ slaves and miners when they were going to be supplied with the dresses. In the same way, women sizes were determined and the garment industry began to produce ready to wear dresses keeping in view the standard sizes.

The garment industry is an umbrella industry and encompasses many other large and small industries, skills and innovations such as;

BASICS OF TEXTILE INDUSTRY

The textile industry is key to garment industry as the fabric supplied by the textile industry is processed into a finished good. Textile industry in itself a complete industrial concern having variety of departments, skills and innovations involving hundreds of people who contribute their inputs to produce different varieties of the fabrics. The textile industry is based on design, production and distribution of the fabrics. The material used in the process may be natural such as cotton, wool, linen, silk or hemp or may be products of chemical industry like nylon, rayon, polyester and others. The textile industry has many related functions such as spinning, fabric manufacturing, wet processing and others.

GARMENTS DESIGNS

The design of the garments is a synergy of contours such as colour, texture, space, Lines, pattern, silhouette, shape, proportion, balance, emphasis or focal point, rhythm and harmony. All these elements promote visual perception of the garments. The psychological effects are also important factor in clothing as designs are created to ensure comfort for the wearer who should feel himself presentable and elated by wearing the clothes. The fitting and suitability are other significant factors of garment designing as poorly fitting garment is no more agreeable for the wearer. The synchronization of the design to allow free movement and have comforting effects on the body can be considered the best.

REATAILING

Retailing acts as a bridge between the manufacturers and the end consumers as they offer a pleasant and cozy environment to woo the customers to the brick and window centers. The retailers have to consider many factors to keep the ball rolling of their business as they acquire the garment outputs three to six months in advance and ensure supply of the goods at the store by maintaining supply chain. The retailers have to adopt sublime approach by selling the right thing at a right place at a right price at a right time and to the right person. They have to consider the behavior of the customers, market trends and factors of competitors as the competition comes within the retailing sector and outside it. The brand retailing has to face tough competition from the non-brand items which are available in the market in abundance and on affordable price.

ONLINE SHOPPING

Online shopping and ecommerce have been making inroads in the retail market for the last many years and getting popular among the youngsters or those who have time constraints and cannot go about the markets and shopping centers. This trend turned more attractive during the Covid-19 lockdowns across the globe. The online business is quite affordable as it does not require a display centre in the shopping malls as the websites offer a good show of items with price tag and offer of free home delivery through the couriers and the customers get the items of their choice at their doorsteps. The online business model opens a new avenue of business other than the traditional one. It also opens new business opportunities like courier service, packaging and others. However, this sector has also many challenges as such a chance happens when the customers do not get what they have ordered and size issues. However, this business model is getting popular day by day.

DISCOUNTED SALE

The retailers and garment industrial concerns offer discounted sales at the lower rates at the end of season or on special occasions like Black Friday or on festive occasions. The discounted sales are aimed at attracting new customers, wooing hesitant customers by opening the doors of the stores, increasing customers’ interest, benefitting the loyal customers, promoting brand awareness, enhancing order value and remaining competitive. The discounted sale can have some negative aspects as it may lessen profit margin, cause brand devaluation, go against customer expectations and trigger cannibalization.

CONCLUSION

Garment industry is a comprehensive and inclusive sector which triggers huge economic activities and generates millions and millions of jobs and tens of hundreds of business activities. At the most it encompasses a large chunk of the social fabric and involves a large segment of society so its economic benefits trickle down from the top level and many find their bread and butter by contributing their abilities, labor, skills and innovations. A small flower that blossoms in the cotton field can bring bloom to the courtyard of many houses.

FAQs (Frequent Asked Questions)