For women sportswear brands - Why is March-April a sample version for autumn and winter?
In the sports apparel industry, sports apparel brands must plan and prepare new products for each season in advance. And for the sample edition of fall and winter seasons, March-April is the key preparation period. Why? Let's take a deeper look.
Preparing for fall/winter samples
The reason to start preparing the sample edition for fall/winter season at this point in time is because the whole supply chain cycle needs to be considered. Usually, the new release of fall and winter clothes is in July-August. Then, it takes one month to produce the big goods, plus half a month to one month for transportation, and half a month for the edition period. So, in order to make sure that the products are ready before the upcoming season, preparations need to start in March-April.
At this time, manufacturers start to design, develop and produce sample editions for the fall and winter seasons. Not only that, some partners, such as suppliers and design planning companies (e.g. HUCAI), also provide fall/winter models and plans at this time of year. Such cooperation can help brands better grasp market trends and consumer needs, and ensure that the design and planning of new products are in line with market trends.
Benefits for customers to understand the purchasing nodes
For customers, knowing that sportswear brands start to prepare sample versions for the fall/winter season in March/April has many benefits.
1. Knowing when new products will be launched in advance: Knowing the manufacturer's lead time can effectively ensure the timing of new product launches. Advance planning of purchasing programs to ensure that the new products can be sold on the shelves in a timely manner at the beginning of the market.
2. Grasp the market trend: Customers can better grasp the market trend, they can be based on the brand's design and planning, timely adjustment of their own purchasing plan, to ensure that the products purchased can be consistent with the market demand, to improve sales efficiency and competitiveness.
3. Early layout of product lines: It is beneficial to layout product lines in advance. They can adjust their product line in time according to the brand's plan to ensure the diversity and marketability of the products to meet the needs of different consumer groups.
To sum up, sportswear brands start to prepare the sample version of the fall and winter season in March-April, which not only helps to launch new products in advance and in time and grasp the market trend, but also strengthens the cooperation with suppliers and lay out the product line in advance, so as to realize the mutual benefits of both sides.