Boosting Margins: The Power of Enhanced Fashion Supply Chain Visibility

In the face of persistent global disruptions, geopolitical instability, and increasing regulatory demands, the fashion industry is confronting a critical need for enhanced supply chain visibility. This white paper by Avery Dennison explores the widespread inefficiencies plaguing apparel supply chains and highlights how limited transparency impedes operational agility, sustainability, and profitability. Drawing insights from a survey of 250 senior retail leaders in the US and UK, the report reveals that only 24% of brands have full item-level visibility, while outdated inventory practices, such as spreadsheet reliance, persist across the industry.

Key challenges include raw material traceability, labor shortages, and production blind spots, all exacerbated by a lack of digital integration. The paper emphasizes the urgency of compliance with emerging regulations like the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) and outlines the transformative potential of technologies such as RFID, blockchain, and connected product clouds like atma.io. Through case studies from JD Sports and Bestseller, the report showcases real-world applications of visibility solutions driving improved accuracy, agility, and sustainability.

The paper concludes with five strategic recommendations for fashion brands to unlock supply chain efficiencies and boost margins. Central to this is Avery Dennison’s Optica™ platform, which empowers companies with real-time, end-to-end visibility, enabling smarter decision-making and future-proofing against compliance risks.

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