NA Fashion Supply Chains Benchmarking Study Report

Fashion Supply Chains Are Entering a New Era

The insights shaping 2025—and what they mean for your business.

Fashion and apparel supply chains are being rewritten in real time. Leaders across North America are navigating a perfect storm of demand volatility, omnichannel pressure, and rising expectations for transparency, and the data shows a clear shift in where the industry is heading.

Our latest study captures perspectives from executives and supply chain practitioners representing apparel, footwear, luxury, and sportswear brands across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. And while each organization faces its own set of constraints, one pattern is unmistakable: the brands that win next will be the ones that see, think, act, and adapt faster than the rest.

Traceability is no longer optional — it’s the new operating system.

IoT-enabled visibility tools were the most widely adopted technology in our study, signaling that deep-tier traceability is rapidly becoming a compliance prerequisite and a competitive differentiator. Firms are pushing beyond Tier-2 visibility into fiber and mill-level tracking to reduce delays and strengthen resilience.

Demand volatility is reshaping planning—and the pace is accelerating.

Over 75% of respondents face moderate to high volatility, prompting rapid adoption of predictive analytics, demand sensing, and lead-time reduction initiatives. AI-driven planning tools are emerging as the new standard for inventory accuracy and responsiveness.

Automation is getting smarter, not bigger.

Rather than chasing full automation, fashion companies are opting for modular, right-sized systems - especially goods-to-person and order sortation solutions that drive ROI without overcommitting capital.

Omnichannel growth is reshaping inventory strategies.

With more than 70% of respondents reporting e-commerce growth above 10%, ship-from-store models and OMS-WMS integration are becoming essential for meeting speed expectations. Real-time inventory accuracy remains the tipping point between cost and customer promise.

Sustainability is shifting from aspiration to action.

Scope 3 emissions tracking, supplier collaboration, and sustainable materials sourcing are gaining momentum across supply chains. More than half of respondents have integrated sustainability into core processes, signaling a step-change for the region.

The big takeaway?

Fashion supply chains are moving toward data-rich, resilient, and deeply orchestrated ecosystems - and the companies that lean into digital transparency, smarter planning, and pragmatic automation will set the pace for the industry’s next chapter.

This report gives readers fresh insight to where supply chain leaders are investing, what’s working, and where the biggest opportunities lie.

Read the full report