Dear PFI community,
Transition stems from innovation and adaptation, which are the key success factors for both present and future landscapes. Transition is fundamentally a process of changing, and mastering it can create a substantial impact on the odds of success.
Financially strong companies are likely to arise from the pandemic without major damage. Brands that respond to the needs of people, in a responsible, ethical, legal and innovative way will have a future. In the long run, innovative and adaptive brands will have a prosperous future. Data plays an important role in all of these. It has not only become a resource that offers the best possible added value to customers but is also the basis for an increased quality of life.
Let us make changes necessary today, to ensure the next generation have a future to shape.
Mrs. Candice Wang and Mr. Ingo Bade
Managing Directors of PFI Fareast
Promotion during a pandemic
Since 2020, our business as usual has shifted dramatically. Business relationships once forged with an in-person meeting, a shake of the hand, have been replaced with digital exchanges and video conferences.
RMC 2.0 to benefit a wider range of recycled products
New upgrades to the PFI Recycled Material Certification (RMC) 2.0 offer increased accessibility for brands with more complex product ranges (e.g. footwear). RMC 2.0 offers certification for a wider range of source materials and a more streamlined traceability process.
Digitalisation spurs supply chain transparency
Care labels provide consumer access to sustainability data at the touch of a button
Gen Z are soon to be the largest consumer market and their increased expectations for less “greenwashing” and information on ethical and environmentally sound sourcing and manufacturing practices means radical shifts for companies not already meeting these standards.
Global Supply Chain News
Care labels offer a pathway to products’ sustainability journey
Rising consumer expectations in the fashion industry such as carbon footprint, ethical sourcing, socially and environmentally sound manufacturing and sustainable material selection through to plastic-free and compostable packaging. Consumers are considering more than ever before product purchases. Brands and manufacturers are increasingly working with third party organisations and collaborating to ensure the consumer gains as much information about the journey of their product in a plight to influence positive purchasing.
PFI’s Recycled Material Certification enables end consumers to verify the social, environmental and traceability credentials of their recycled products, by scanning a QR code on the product hangtag. The hangtag also sports a unique certification code that consumers can input via the following link to obtain the same information: https://pfi.hk/search-certified-product/.
Source:
https://www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.forbes.com/sites/amynguyen/2021/06/07/carbon-labels-digital-passports-and-traceability-tags–clothing-labels-new-normal/amp/
Sustainably made shoes command higher prices from consumers
Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) a technology firm First Insight’s newly released report found that consumers in the USA would pay over two thirds more for sustainably made shoes. For an additional cost, consumers surveyed also expect the footwear to be more “durable” and last longer due to the investment in better manufacturing and materials.
PFI’s shoe technology experts offer training and consultancy to factories, as well as on-site assistance to improve factory performance and manufacturing best practices. Click the link to find out more: https://pfi.hk/supply-chain-management-services/manufacturing-consultants/
Source: https://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/64-of-us-shoe-consumers-say-ready-to-pay-more-for-sustainable-shoes-274492-newsdetails.htm
ILO report details unemployment rates will continue to rise with garment workers amongst those most at risk
The report “World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2021” published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) projected that 2022 will see 205 million people unemployed which is a great deal more than the 2019 figure of 187 million. Many of the unemployed are expected to sit within the garment sector, with its heavily employed female workforce.
Ensuring factories have high standards of social performance is critical to ensuring that those employed in garment and footwear factories are employed in safe working environments. PFI’s social audit services are one way of keeping track of non-compliance throughout your supply chain: https://pfi.hk/supply-chain-management-services/social-audit-management/
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/fashion-could-feel-effects-covid-211522336.html
Reports
Consumer Sustainability Survey 2021, Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America and First Insight. The first industry-wide consumer survey on shoe sustainability. The report surveyed 100 shoe companies and details the challenges of sustainability specific to the shoe industry. It highlights the importance of marketing accurate information to consumers about the improvements to processes within the industry including enhancements made to products and processes to make them more environmentally friendly. Read more here: https://www.firstinsight.com/white-papers-posts/fdra-consumer-sustainability-survey
Driving Fashion Forward for Good. PVH Corp. Corporate Responsibility Report 2020. Fashion company PVH hosting brands such as Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger provides performance data from the 2020 fiscal year. https://www.pvh.com/-/media/Files/pvh/responsibility/PVH-CR-Report-2020.pdf
