Kiki Huang

Making fashion today requires intention. Designer Johanna-Maria Parv shared an insightful perspective during her collaboration with the ECCO Leather team on their factory floor: "You need to think, who are the people who would be willing to come on board and work with me?” She went on to explain, “I feel like I’m finally at the point where I work closely with the manufacturers and find a middle ground with their facility, collaborating and learning techniques we don’t have in the studio." In today’s fashion landscape, especially for designers focused on sustainability and positive industry impact, the process can feel overwhelming. Constantly questioning why you’re making something can push your creativity, but it can also lead to paralysis. What helps? Collaborating with people from different parts of the industry—those with different expertise—can expand your perspective, reduce overthinking, and unlock new possibilities. The decision to become a designer and start your own brand comes with countless questions and self-reflection. But sometimes, it’s the act of doing—learning through making—that is half the battle. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dC_jHUX9

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Being in the retail business is not easy... Especially when you have to deal with constantly changing demand and unpredictable supply. 🫡 But hey, do not worry - Supply Chain Analytics is here to the rescue! SCA is about turning raw supply chain data into actionable insights. Simply put, it is the guiding star in helping your retail business optimize inventory, improve efficiency, and cut costs. And what results does it bring? 📦 Better Inventory Management 🏗️ Smoother Operations 💰 Cost Savings ⚡ Stronger Risk Management 😊 Happier Customers In today's market, understanding your supply chain isn’t optional - it’s essential. 🤔 Are you making your data work for you? #supplychainoptimization #retail #data

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Zalando Reaffirms Full-Year Outlook with Q2 Revenue and Profit Growth Zalando, the online fashion platform, reported a 3.4% increase in Q2 revenue, reaching €2.6 billion, and enhanced profitability, confirming its full-year financial guidance. Despite a slight decline in Q1 revenue, Zalando's GMV rose to €3.3 billion, with EBIT at €28.3 million. In Q2, GMV grew by 2.8% to €3.8 billion, while adjusted EBIT increased to €171.6 million, representing a 6.5% margin. Active customers grew by 300,000 since Q1 but remained below last year's figures. Key growth drivers include expanding lifestyle offerings, AI-powered tools, and enhanced B2B services. Zalando projects 0-5% GMV and revenue growth in 2024 and plans to leverage social commerce and AI for a personalized shopping experience. #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #B2B #DTC

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M Science has launched on Birkenstock Holding plc (BIRK). Research Analyst Drake MacFarlane welcomes BIRK into his Footwear & Sportswear coverage. Within our research, we can track Birkenstock consumer spending across DTC and retail partners, spending across 15 of Birkenstock’s top product lines like the Arizona sandal and Boston Clog, new vs. returning payers, price and frequency buckets, customer retention and more. Birkenstock insights are also available and visualized through our Footwear & Sportswear Dashboard. M Science also provides research on adidas (ADS), Crocs (CROX), Deckers (DECK), Nike (NKE), On (ONON), Skechers (SKX), and Under Armour (UAA). For these companies, we offer a variety of insights, including visibility into 250+ product lines, spending by channel and geography, and retention rates, with visibility into ~30 retail partners. Reach out to find out more about our coverage: [email protected] Request a sample Footwear & Sportswear industry research report to get started: https://bit.ly/3LuvifB #altdata #investmentresearch #footwear #sportswear #BIRK #CROX #DECK #MScience

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Our advent calendar for 2024 is here to give you an overview of Fashion Industry Roles & Responsibilities - behind every door is a job description, specifically related to the Fashion Industry.🧑‍🎄🎁 #FashionAdvent #CareerChange #FashionCareers 🎄Behind Door Number 10 - Ecommerce Manager An eCommerce manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and managing the online sales operations of a business. Their primary focus is on driving the success of the company's online sales and ensuring a positive customer experience. ⭕Website Management: eCommerce managers are often in charge of the company's online platform or website. They ensure that the site is user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for conversions. ⭕Product Management: They manage the online product catalogue, ensuring accurate product listings, descriptions, and pricing. This may involve coordinating with various departments, such as marketing and inventory management. ⭕Customer Experience: eCommerce managers work to enhance the overall online shopping experience. This includes optimizing the checkout process, implementing customer support mechanisms, and addressing customer feedback and concerns. ⭕Marketing and Promotion: They may be involved in creating and implementing online marketing strategies to drive traffic and increase sales. This could involve digital advertising, email marketing, and social media promotion. ⭕Analytics and Reporting: eCommerce managers often use data analytics tools to track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales, conversion rates, and customer behaviour. They use this data to make informed decisions and optimize the online shopping experience. ⭕Platform and Technology Evaluation: Keeping up with advancements in eCommerce technology and evaluating new platforms or tools. ⭕Budgeting and Financial Management: Managing budgets for online marketing, technology, and other related expenses is often part of the role. If you have more questions on Digital or Ecommerce roles, please get in touch, otherwise, back to a more customer focused role tomorrow but with process and data at the heart, check back tomorrow.

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Many retail companies face challenges when they want to start selling online or when they realise they lack necessary technical infrastructure. This prompts the question: what is the best solution to choose? 📔 In a recent report "E-GROCERY INFRASTRUCTURE 2023", Thomas Andersson highlights that composable architecture of eCommerce platforms is now considered the gold standard. This modular software framework offers significant advantages by allowing businesses to quickly adapt to changing market demands. Here we want to uncover the main benefits of modular eCommerce software: 1) Scalability: Modular systems can be scaled up or down based on real-time demands, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This flexibility is crucial in the e-grocery sector, where customer preferences and order volumes can fluctuate significantly. 2) Customisation: Each module can be tailored to specific needs without disrupting the entire system. This means that e-grocery providers can offer services that are more closely aligned with local consumer preferences and operational requirements. 3) Cost Efficiency: By implementing modules as needed, companies can optimise their investments in infrastructure. This staged investment reduces upfront costs and allows for adjustments before further financial commitments. 4) Speed of Deployment: Modular systems can be developed and implemented much faster than traditional infrastructure. This rapid deployment is essential for staying competitive in a market driven by technological innovation. 5) Ease of Maintenance and Upgrades: Since each module functions semi-independently, maintenance and upgrades can be performed on individual components without affecting the overall system. This leads to less downtime and better service continuity. Adapting swiftly to market demands and rapidly implementing new technological advancements is crucial in today’s fast-paced eCommerce landscape. Recognising this need, we offer not just a full-stack solution but also separate modules tailored to enhance key areas of your online business.  ⚙ They are: App & Web, Headless eCommerce Platform, WMS, Delivery Software, Supply Chain & Replenishment Software and BI. To learn how these solutions can help streamline your operations and better serve your customers, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/ePghJTAE #eCommercemodules #modularsoftware #eCommerceprovider #onlineretail

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🇩🇪 One in Three German Shoppers Now Use Temu Asian-origin marketplaces have seen remarkable growth in Germany over the past year. Recent research reveals that nine out of ten German consumers are now familiar with these platforms, with 43% purchasing from them. Notably, Temu is experiencing significant traction. 📈 Rising Awareness and Usage Brand awareness of Asian marketplaces in Germany has surged by 13 percentage points over the past year, climbing from 78% to 91%. Concurrently, usage of these platforms has increased from 32% to 43%. The trend is even more pronounced among younger consumers: over half (51%) of Germans aged 18 to 29 shop on these marketplaces. 💁‍♀️ Social Media Influence The majority of respondents discover these platforms through social media, with Temu being particularly prominent. This subsidiary of PDD Holdings is not only rapidly growing in Germany but is also under scrutiny from trade and consumer organizations. 🛒 Significant Growth in Shopper Numbers The latest study shows that 32% of German consumers have purchased products on Temu, a notable increase from 11% last year. Shein has also seen a substantial rise in popularity, with 22% of Germans shopping there compared to 10% the previous year. The appeal of these marketplaces is attributed to their competitive pricing, diverse product range, and engaging shopping experiences. 📌 Trust Issues Persist Despite their growing popularity, Asian marketplaces score lower on trust than established providers like Amazon, Otto, and Zalando. While adoption is increasing, two out of three German consumers (66%) indicate they do not plan to use these platforms in the future, primarily due to concerns about product quality, safety, and sustainability. This research highlights the shifting landscape of German e-commerce and the challenges and opportunities Asian marketplaces face in gaining consumer trust and loyalty. Follow German Drop, and receive the latest updates directly. #ecommercebusiness #ecommerce #b2b #temu #marketplace #shopping

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Start With Stuller ☕️: The hottest trend in the industry is breathing fresh life into fashion. Check it out in this season's Stuller Trend Report!

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How can fashion brands stand out in 2025 and beyond? Google, Insights by Kantar, and Handelsverband Deutschland e.V. (HDE) released fresh insights on differentiation in German fashion retail. Why listen? → Only 28% of fashion retailers are perceived as distinct in Germany. → Shoppers know ~25 fashion retailers but regularly buy from just 7. ❗Differentiation is crucial in this crowded market. Here are 6 strategic moves to do it right: → Chic: lead with fresh, exclusive trends and frequent range updates. → Unique: anticipate and cater to your shopper’s personal style with personalized services and predictive AI. → Community: foster a sense of connection through events and influencer collaborations, encouraging loyal followers. → Responsible: go beyond just sustainability claims; focus on transparency and ethical practices. → Techy: create a seamless digital journey with innovative online tools, smart search functions, an intuitive app, or AR applications. → Fulfillment: make delivery and returns hassle-free, focusing on quality and flexibility in product choices. Interesting Findings: → DTC brands lead in differentiation (40% perceived as differentiated vs. 14% of multi-brand retailers) → While “Chic” is powerful, it’s also a crowded space. Personalization (“Unique”) remains underused, offering big potential. How can mixNmatch help brands stand out? → Conversational search that lets customers discover entire looks within your product selection. → An ultra-personalized shopping journey, adapted to each shopper’s size and taste. What's your take on these findings? How is your brand planning to stand out in 2025? #FashionRetail #BrandStrategy #DTCBrands #RetailInnovation #Fashion2025

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Exciting News: MBT Joins Forces with Zalando to Expand Across Europe! We are thrilled to announce that MBT is now available on Zalando, the leading online fashion and footwear platform in Europe! Why Zalando? Zalando is renowned for its extensive selection of brands and its strong presence in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). Beyond this, the platform operates in 15 additional European countries, including France, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Its unique integration of fashion products, advanced logistics operations, and cutting-edge online technology allows Zalando to offer tremendous value to both customers and partner brands. Our objectives with this partnership: 🌍 Strengthen our presence in DACH and France. These are key markets where we aim to expand and introduce the unique benefits of MBT footwear to more people. 🏬 Fill the gap in physical retail distribution. With Zalando, we can reach customers in areas where physical stores are not yet available. 📈 Accelerate our growth across Europe. We are committed to becoming a go-to brand for functional footwear and fashion, leveraging leading digital platforms to achieve this. What does this mean for our customers? It means easier access to the MBT experience through one of Europe’s most trusted and recognized fashion platforms. Our footwear, combining style and well-being, is now just a click away for millions of new customers. This partnership marks an important step in our journey to bring MBT to a wider audience, improve accessibility, and continue growing as a leading brand in the European market. Explore our collection on Zalando: https://en.zalando.de/mbt/ #MBT #Zalando #OnlineFashion #DACH #Europe #MBTExpansion #WellnessInMotion MBT Europe - Masai Barefoot Technology Zalando TheAgent Pepe Quintero Uriach Romain Aymeric Xavier Casas Vallès Frank Escarp Malagelada PR.Territory Fabulous Footwear

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Some interesting and exciting news in the #retail and #footwear industry Drayton found this week: 1. Have you heard of microfactories? Danish supply chain startup Rodinia Generation think they have the answer to a design-make-sell model in fashion, to design-sell-make. These microfactories will provide fast, low impact production. Using 5 machines connected by software, coded by Rodinia, fabric is printed, cured and cut to specification, all without the use of any water or toxic chemicals. 2. Marks and Spencer (M&S) has revealed plans to invest more than £30m in its London stores network during 2024 and 2025. The investment is part of M&S’s store rotation programme, which aims to establish 180 higher quality, higher productivity full-line stores and 420 food halls. The initiative is expected to create 100 new jobs. 3. Nike vs adidas stripes dispute sees partial Nike victory in Germany. The Duesseldorf Regional Court had previously prohibited Nike Retail from offering and advertising five specific pairs of sports trousers with a two or three-stripe pattern on the outer seam, following a trademark violation lawsuit filed by adidas in 2022. The ruling was appealed by Nike, which contended that adidas’ claims over the three-stripe design were excessively restrictive and that striped decorations are not inherently indicative of a single brand. 4. Deckers Brands-owned HOKA made its mark as a premium footwear option for the running community. Deckers‘ chief executive officer Dave Powers discussed Hoka’s evolution from a shoe for hard-core runners to a brand being adopted by people outside of the sport. According to Powers, this phenomenon is part of a larger trend taking place within fashion and running. “I believe there’s a generalised trend out there that running is kind of becoming the new streetwear. 5. Exercise equipment brand Peloton Interactive, which grew in popularity during the pandemic, has launched a rental service as sales decline. The brand went from 2 million global members to more than 7 million between January 2020 and March 2022 as people were in their home looking for forms of exercise. However, since then the brand has reported falling revenue and sales. Now offering a rental service for £99 a month, which includes access to all its live online classes and back catalogue. #exercise #apparel #runner

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Are you a brand displayed on Zalando, or do you consider being one? If you're in the fashion industry, you've likely come across Zalando's guidelines against greenwashing. These guidelines represent an important step towards transparency and accuracy in sustainability claims on their platform and have set new expectations for brands. By phasing out interactive icons and enforcing strict sustainability requirements, Zalando is dedicated to offering consumers clear and reliable information about a product's sustainable attributes. At Trimco Group, we recognize brands' challenges in meeting these standards. That's why we provide a seamless solution to address these new requirements. Trimco Group's ProductDNA® is a robust tool for enhancing transparency and ensuring compliance within the fashion industry. With ProductDNA®, brands can prevent false "organic" or "recycled" claims, validate material/garment claims, and quickly provide proof of product claims. Learn how it works here 👉 https://bit.ly/3QLIBva #Zalando #FashionTransparency #ProductDNA #TogetherWeAct #TrimcoGroup

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Hear directly from Westwing on how 7Learnings has increased their pricing efficiency and unlocked new levels of profitability. 💬 "7Learnings played a big part because it allowed us to shift from rule-based pricing to a value-based approach. By incorporating price elasticity and demand data, we’ve transformed how we make pricing decisions." This is what success sounds like! Watch the full video to see how we empower retailers to: ✅ Embrace value-driven strategies ✅ Harness real-time data for smarter decisions ✅ Maximize profitability with confidence 🎯 Your Takeaway: Stay competitive in today’s dynamic market with smarter, AI-powered pricing solutions. 👉Read our case study with Westwing and discover what sets 7Learnings apart! 

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Otrium is an Amsterdam-based fashion marketplace where brands can sell leftover inventory at attractive discounts. The Otrium data team does many things well, but they are one of the most collaborative, and supportive teams we’ve had the chance to work with. A big enabler of that collaboration is the reduction of complexity: “This was a common scenario for us: You need to alter a model someone else has written before you, or maybe you wrote it a year ago or something. And it’s a massive piece of code, but that’s the simplest way someone could have done it. It might take you a day and a half to make sense of that model, and to do that you’re switching between 100 tabs in VS Code. It’s really frustrating but a really common issue.” - Veronika Cucorova The team uses Count to make even their most complex models more easily understood by other members of the data team and the wider business. By making it easier for others to follow, more people can join the model-building and debugging processes. This means better, and more performant models, built much faster. We’re grateful to work with this amazing crew including Veronika Cucorova, Rob Myers, Nikki Bueno de Mesquita, and many more! Check out Otrium’s full story in the comments 👇

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Check out our CEO, Outi's latest thoughts on transforming the fashion industry through Purply's shared data and Market Intelligence services! Read the full article below and discover how our Data-as-a-Service can revolutionize your business. [email protected] #RetailInnovation #MarketIntelligence #DataAsAService #FashionRetail #Purply #McKinseyInsights

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Finding fashion inspiration, wherever you are, has never been easier! Our AI-powered Zalando Assistant is now available across our 25 markets in the local language. 🌍 🚀 All Zalando customers can navigate through our assortment with intuitive queries — just like you'd ask a shop assistant. And if you're looking for emerging trends, we've got you covered! Stay ahead of the curve with our Trend Spotter, available to customers in all markets, with four new cities: Amsterdam, London, Warsaw, and Zurich. Discover weekly what's trending locally in 10 European fashion capitals, why it’s trending, and whether it’s part of a global or local trend. Tian Su, VP Personalization and Recommendation at Zalando: “We know our customers want to get inspired when they come to Zalando. Therefore, the rollout of our Zalando Assistant to all markets is a significant step in our commitment to enhancing the customer experience by making it easier for customers to discover fashion that suits their unique style and needs. At the same time, we’re now offering customers even more local inspiration by adding four new cities to our Trend Spotter – featuring emerging trends from 10 European fashion capitals in total.” Read more: https://zln.do/4eo7l6l #TrendSpotter #ZalandoAssistant #AI

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🚀 Exciting Q2 Results for Zalando: Financial Growth and Expansion in Key Categories! 🚀 At Brandsom, we’re thrilled to see Zalando achieving outstanding results. In Q2 2024, Zalando has shown remarkable growth and strategic advancements. Here are some key highlights: 📈 Financial Achievements: • Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) rose by 2.8% to €3.8 billion • Revenue increased by 3.4% to €2.6 billion • Adjusted EBIT climbed to €171.6 million, with a strong margin of 6.5% 🏋️‍♂️ Category Growth: • Sports: Best monthly performance ever in June, driven by dedicated campaigns and iconic athletes. • Designer & Beauty: Continued expansion and inclusion of quality brands, making Zalando a top destination. These results underscore the growing importance of a diversified and high-quality product offering. At Brandsom, we’re excited to see the strong performance in these categories, reflecting the trends in Direct-to-Consumer strategies. Interested in how your brand can leverage these trends? Reach out to us for insights and support on your marketplace journey. https://lnkd.in/e6skTKKs #Brandsom #MarketplaceGrowth #Ecommerce #Zalando #DirectToConsumer #DTC #Sports #Designer #Beauty

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Supply Chain Data Management: Why Fashion Needs It 🌿 In the fashion industry today, mastering data management is crucial for traceability. In our latest blog article, we explore how precise data management transforms traceability, impacting everything from regulatory compliance to customer trust.✨ The key takeaways: • Stakeholder engagement: Align internal departments and foster close supplier collaboration. • Gradual approach: Set clear goals and integrate CSR and data strategies long-term. • Optimal tools: Choose the right solutions (PLM, ERP) for efficient system interoperability. Insights from our experts: 🌿 Caroline Poulet-Mathis (Isabel Marant) shared how traceability with Fairly Made® uncovered data issues and optimized workflows at Isabel Marant, surpassing AGEC law requirements. 🛤️ Florian CHAPRON (Centric Software) highlighted the critical need to maintain accurate material and supplier databases, ensuring a single source of truth. 🔗 Want to dive deeper into the power of data management in traceability? Read our full blog post here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eXWcw4fW

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🔄 Return Round Tables: The Key to Boosting Profitability in Fashion Retail In today’s fast-paced fashion industry, cross-functional return round tables are essential for optimizing margins by addressing returns head-on. These sessions should bring together diverse expertise – from E-commerce and Customer Insights (to identify trends in return behavior) to Product Development (design and fit adjustments) and Marketing (enhancing high performers and managing perceptions). Operations and Logistics also play a crucial role, refining return processes and policies to maximize efficiency. Typical discussion points for a return round table: • Return trends & patterns: Uncover recurring themes to better align product fit with target customers. • Return performance: Evaluate current measures, adjust strategies, and improve outcomes. • Profitability analysis: Boost top performers with marketing support and take corrective action on underperformers, even if that means adjusting sizing or shelving products. • Root cause analysis: Dive deep into why items are returned and make product-level improvements to cut returns at the source. At SAIZ, we have developed a return analytics platform that gives brands the insights they need to inform these decisions – helping reduce returns, increase margins, and drive customer satisfaction. ➡️ Have you implemented return round tables, and what are your best practices?

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