GS1 UK, the supply chain standards organisation, has seen a 48 per cent increase in members from the apparel, accessories and footwear sector membership with 697 new joiners in the past year.
“GS1 standards are becoming a necessity for apparel brands,” said Jacky Broomhead, market development manager, apparel.
Growth is being driven by the apparel retailers’ shift away from closed loop supply chains. Retailers and brands are looking to international markets, new e-commerce channels and concession or wholesale partners as a means of achieving growth. When targeting new markets they begin working with more external partners and find that their legacy numbering systems aren’t compatible. By adopting GS1 standards across their entire range, they can mitigate these issues and ensure interoperability on a global scale.
