Otto International’s Post

It may seem like splitting hairs to some, but the planned metamorphosis at BASF is a good example of the difference between a conglomerate (current state) and an integrated group (target state). This (synergetic/structural) integrated group approach seems to me to be much more promising in the long term than the 'premium slim sizing' fashion, with its financial KPIs focus, which is particularly trendy in the Anglo-Saxon world. The first consequences of this fast-moving 'fashion' in Germany can be seen at Mercedes (focus on luxury!). I expect (after a brief high) many more 'crash landings' in the near future for companies that have enthusiastically embarked on this shortsighted path.

The panel discussion "Digitizing the Material Supply Chain" brought together by #PerformanceDays explored how 3D technologies are currently impacting fashion. Industry experts Anja Leipner, 3D Specialist at Mammut Sports Group AG, Detlef Mueller, Director, Digital Creation at adidas, JML executives Jenny Jiang, VP of Sales and President, North America, and Viktor S., VP of Finance and Business Development, and our CCO renate E., weigh in. It's packed with insights from discussing the upside and identifying the hiccups along the way. We're sharing the highlights below, but you can check the full video through the link in the comments.

Re-Restructuring - Can there be a new Esprit? When William Pak arrived as CEO, it was pretty clear from the outset that the top manager pins his hopes on Esprit’s return to the USA where the clothing company was founded by Douglas Tomkins at the end of the 60s. The big question is: What’s Pak’s plan for the core market, Europe and especially Germany where Esprit has been suffering for a while? Well, now we know that he’s going to cut costs and shrink the operation. Several European and German subsidiaries have filed for Chapter 11. It’s the second time, since Esprit already did it in 2020. Why again? “2020 would have been the best moment to make all these changes, but for some reason they were only made superficially and not deeply enough”, says William in an interview with my colleague Sarah Speicher-Utsch. Check it out on TextilWirtschaft! #apparel #clothing #einzelhandel #mode #fashion #branding #marketing #restructuring #ecommerce #stores

What about #production of #garments? I had the privilege of participating in the panel off “Can data save fashion” during #transformationconference arranged by Scandinavian MIND during CIFF · Copenhagen International Fashion Fair I shared the stage with Jess Fleischer of Son of a Tailor and Kasper Karimaa 🔑 Key take aways from my fellow panelists: 🗺️Fashion companies need to extend their core team to include process managers in order to adapt to the needs and demands of both the in-house CFO and their customers. ⚙️By shifting FROM constant development of new products of guestimates that reach market obsolescence at the moment it is available TO real time data collection on sales performance and an on-demand supply network both CFO, customer AND earth will be happy. #opensource can unleash creativity. Design can be elevated and once more be put in the drivers seat, AS SHOULD BE, if a licensing and copywriting fee was to be introduced. What do we at NOMS think? Well, this is our backyard and many of the key take aways are our own BUT we continue to emphasize the need for production infrastructure for any of this to become reality. That is why we trailblaze the establishment together with ACG Nyström AB and invest heavily in machinery and innovating the production system as well as building software to ease the usability through #paas #joinforces 🤖 👩🏭 🪡 💻🧑🎨⛽️

Setting Sail into 2024! As we embark on the journey that is 2024, we are thrilled to share with you the exciting path that STRØM is charting for the year ahead. In the spirit of innovation and growth, 2024 holds immense promises, but also challenges. This year is all about taking the next step forward—a crucial move in our evolution and our ambition to become a fixture in the fashion industry. Therefore, we will focus on three main points of ambition this year: Retail Expansion Expanding our retail presence will demand a dedicated focus. While our online community remains the heartbeat of STRØM, we understand the significance of physical spaces. You can anticipate encountering STRØM in even more locations as we broaden our footprint from a current 45 to at least 65 retail points. Initially, we are focusing on Belgium, but the Netherlands will increasingly come into consideration as well. Backprint T-Shirt Project Last year, one of our prime goals was to broaden our product range diversification. Upcoming spring, we want to take this to the next level and drop our first backprint t-shirt project. In the case of a brand that has grown significantly with minimalist icons, this is a challenge that we are eager to embrace, and it is crucial for us to offer our loyal customers something that appeals to their taste. Make sure to regularly check our Instagram page to keep up to date! International foundation And last but not least, this year, we aim to lay the necessary foundations for further penetration into international markets. To achieve this we will be expanding our networks, which will involve participating in (foreign) fashion fairs or initiating contacts with international fashion agencies. While the Belgian market remains our primary focus this year, starting from 2025, our expansion will include, first and foremost, our neighboring countries.           Setting the next step forward is now crucial. With dedicated on-topic collections, an extended product range, and the introduction of back prints, we aim to captivate and engage our community and be ready to conquer markets beyond the Belgian border. We're gearing up for an extraordinary year! All the best, STRØM    

We asked 500 American consumers how they feel about a potential Levi Strauss & Co. x Beyonce collaboration, and here’s what we found: 🤠 22% are excited about the idea 😐 34% feel neutral 👎 44% aren’t interested at all As for checking out the potential collection: 🛒 Only 9% would be first in line 🤔 29% might, but they’d wait to see the designs 🙅 45% said it wouldn’t influence them at all The overall sentiment? A bit lukewarm. While some are keen, most feel neutral or uninterested. Interestingly, some mentioned that Levi’s strong brand doesn’t need celebrity collabs to stay relevant. How important do you think celebrity collaborations are for a brand's success today?

In today's fast-paced business environment, where fleeting trends, annual updates, and rapidly changing fashions dominate the market, immediacy and transience seem to be the rule. However, iconic and enduring brands share a critical characteristic: Selling Long. This strategy, which prioritizes the sustained sale of products over the years, emerges as an economically viable option for traditional or stable companies. "Selling Long" is a term referring to a marketing and sales strategy where brands or companies focus on promoting the longevity, long-term value, and quality of their products or services. Unlike campaigns that highlight temporary offers or immediate discounts, the Selling Long approach seeks to build lasting relationships with customers by emphasizing how the product or service can provide value over an extended period. Key Elements of Selling Long: • Superior Quality: Using high-quality materials and rigorous manufacturing processes to ensure durability. • Timeless Design: Creating classic styles that remain relevant over the years. • After-Sales Support: Offering extended warranties and repair programs to protect customer investments. • Transparent Communication: Clearly explaining the long-term benefits of products. • Sustainability: Committing to environmentally responsible practices that resonate with modern consumers. At Cuco Company, we recognize the importance of this approach as it aligns with our focus on fostering lasting value and steady growth for brands. By promoting strategies that emphasize long-term quality and customer loyalty, we help brands build enduring relationships and achieve sustainable success. For example, CASIO has maintained market relevance for decades by focusing on durable, functional, and timeless designs. Similarly, Nike continues to attract customers with iconic lines like Jordan and AIR MAX, which are continuously improved and supported over time. By adopting the Selling Long strategy, brands can build strong, lasting relationships with customers, reduce economic volatility, and promote sustainable growth. #SellingLong #BrandStrategy #CustomerLoyalty #LongTermValue #MarketingStrategy #CucoCompany #CustomerRelationships

First and foremost, I'd like to express my gratitude to everyone who has read our submission. Over the past few days, we've received considerable recognition and encouragement from the industry professionals. However, could we kindly request that you not only show your support by liking our content❓ Instead, please reach out to us directly to get test data packages generated through our DX solution. Taking direct action is more crucial than anything else‼️🤝🤝🤝 Especially in the categories of women's blouses and dresses, which constitute the highest percentage of repeat purchases in women's clothing, we are confident in assisting our partners to become category leaders in the Asian market. Let's initiate the verification process❗️ There's a Japanese saying, "モノづくりは早もの勝ち," which means in product creation, the one who reaches the goal first is the winner. We fully agree👍👍 We have been practicing this approach for over a decade in China and have a solution that guarantees basic success. (https://lnkd.in/gVveFWpi) Let's infuse some fresh air into the industry🤝🤝 Improving the innovative environment in the apparel industry will attract more young digital technology professionals to choose it as their career development field. After gaining a deep understanding of the core of our solution, they become valuable assets to the company in less than half a year. (https://lnkd.in/gVc2BQWU) However, our interns often joke about why they find themselves earning one-third less than classmates who chose other industries after graduation, despite doing similar-level work🤣🤔️ I've always felt that the apparel industry needs someone like Elon Musk. Haha😁😁 Mar.4th,2024 #design #digital #digitalfashion #digitaltwin #3dmodeling #sustainability #apparelindustry #metaverse #fashiondesign #AIfashion #business #aigc #aiautomatedpatterngeneration

New season, new energy. Autumn’s here, and we’ve just launched our new campaign and brand positioning – and it feels like a game changer. Today, we introduced our Autumn/Winter campaign, "What do I wear?" – a question that hit home this morning when the weather flipped from warm to cold. But that’s not all. We also unveiled our updated brand positioning, and I’m genuinely excited about where we’re headed. Why? Because we’re focused on delivering what our customers really care about: great fashion, a sense of community, and inspiration. We’re pushing forward with a bold, confident approach that stands out. The campaign? It’s fun, relevant, and speaks to everyone. It’s one of those you’ll see something new in each time. As for the brand refresh – it’s a major step up. The look is modern, dynamic, and unapologetic. We’re putting ourselves front and center, and it shows. Take a look at the new campaign – this is just the beginning. https://lnkd.in/eq7zkTFU

More SPESA member news from this week's Behind the Seams newsletter: Go Beyond UK-Made at the January Furniture Show SPESA member Pathfinder Cutting Technology will showcase its latest collection at the January Furniture Show in Birmingham, UK. Lectra Launches the Observatory of Innovation and Transformation in the Fashion, Furniture and Automotive Markets As a leader in technology solutions accelerating the transition of fashion, furniture, and automotive companies to Industry 4.0, Lectra announced the launch of its Observatory platform. The Observatory will focus on innovations and changes in the fashion, furniture, and automotive markets, to help these sectors stay informed and adapt to new opportunities. The Lectra Observatory’s first white paper on the advent of Industry 4.0 is already available online. Medical Device Contract Manufacturer Launches in Minneapolis Visura Technologies, Inc., a privately owned medical device company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and SPESA member YKK Corporation of America have launched Evevo Manufacturing LLC, a new joint venture committed to serving emerging medical device companies in the Minneapolis ecosystem. Read more at www.bts-news.org.