PLM Trends Impacting Retail, Footwear and Consumer Products

How Leaders Are Surviving–and Thriving–in Today’s Volatile Global Economy

In today’s challenging economic environment, retailers and brands are struggling for their very survival, with little cause for optimism on future sales growth. While some companies are in a month-to-month triage mode, many forward-thinking companies are considering the implementation of technology solutions that not only will help weather the current economic storm, but also deliver performance benefits in the long term.

In our white paper, we analyze four key industry trends that are relevant to the economic situation, and examine how leading retailers and brands are embracing Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions to enhance bottom-line efficiency in a tough economic climate.

We’ll discuss:

• Reducing cycle time – shortening cycle time so design-and inventory-level decisions are made as close as possible to retail delivery.
• Improving sourcing processes – quick turnaround times can only be achieved with a collaborative sourcing process, based on strong relationships across the supply chain.
• “Going green” – eco-conscious consumer preferences and recent EU REACH legislation are challenging companies to leverage PLM to meet green design goals and environmental compliance.
• Incorporating the voice of the customer – as sophisticated consumers become more selective in their spending, successful companies are engaging the consumer early in the design phase to reduce the risk of overbuying a product or simply missing a trend.

For each trend, we will discuss the meaning of the trend, its impact on the business process, how PLM helps manage the trend, and the benefits achieved by leveraging PLM. You’ll learn why industry leaders recognize that the recession won’t last forever, and are using this opportunity to build their brand and entrench customer loyalty.

To read the full White Paper, please visit our PLM Resource Center at http://www.ptc.com/solutions/product-lifecycle-management/ and select the link to PLM Trends Impacting Retail, Footwear and Consumer Products under the second theme, called "Key Business Initiatives".

Windchill Flex PLM

Product Lifecycle Management for Consumer Products, Retail, Footwear & Apparel Industries

Dealing with fast fashion, private-label goods, and branded lines is challenging enough. And yet, you also face of host of other issues common to all manufacturers today, such as cost, quality, time-to-market, regulatory compliance, and the need to coordinate a global workforce.

FlexPLM can help address both your industry-specific challenges and your everyday business pressures. It offers a high-performance, Web-based platform that brings together globally distributed teams. Plus, it provides line planning, specification management, merchandizing, and other essential PLM capabilities for managing your company’s complete assortment of products. Learn why global leaders like Liz Claiborne, Nike and Patagonia trust their product development to FlexPLM.

Features & Benefits

• Reduced cycle time - ensures on-schedule product launches and first-mover market-share advantages
• Improved quality - boosts brand value and customer loyalty, and enables premium pricing
• Increased efficiency and process optimization - drives team productivity and enhances breadth of portfolio
• Improved regulatory compliance for market segments such as consumer products - ensures adherence to mandates such as REACH and the Consumer Products Safety Act
• Reduced direct material cost - improves margins and profit contribution