Lauri Kokkila

As a material supplier, you know the growing importance of digitizing your inventory. Our recent industry survey shows that 49% of suppliers and 45% of buyers each spend more than €10,000 per year on physical samples. The need for digitalization as a cost-saving measure is clear. What’s more, the vast majority of brands value 3D material visuals, meaning 3D visuals are a great way to differentiate yourself as a supplier in this increasingly digital landscape.

Check out our latest blog post and learn how to determine the right digital format to convert your physical materials into digital versions!

Sourcing footwear and apparel materials has historically been time-, travel-, and resource-heavy; the time has come to streamline the material sourcing value chain with technology.

Traditionally a belly-to-belly transaction, the process of sourcing and then managing materials has been analog-based and relied on multiple, separate systems. This has resulted in a slow and complex go-to-market journey; our recent survey (source: Digital Sourcing Report) shows it can take up to 40 weeks – nearly a year! – to source materials and get a product to market.

Ecommerce and the digital economy have leveled the business landscape as audiences, including buyers and end-customers, now expect efficient digitalization and comprehensive product information. As a result, these expectations have reached apparel and footwear material sourcing which has changed the game for suppliers. Suppliers face business challenges today that did not exist just a few years ago. The good news is there are also new opportunities to reach buyers that were not possible previously.