Industry Report
COVID-19 and what we’ve
learned
Prama Bhardwaj, founder and CEO of Mantis World, outlays how COVID-19 has changed the supply chain and the way business is done in our industry – perhaps for the better?
W
hat a difference a few weeks have made. None of us could have predicted how dramatically and quickly our lives would change in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost overnight, many businesses in our industry closed or saw regular demand plummet. Many have successfully adapted to supply workwear or PPE, while others have seen business increase for e-commerce clients. The way we do business has also changed. With so many of us working from home, offices have closed and we suddenly rely on virtual meetings. The crashing together of our personal and professional lives has been an instant leveller as we get a peek into each other’s homes, we’ve all had calls where someone’s dog appears suddenly or we can hear the kids yelling in the background. It reminds us, no matter where you are in the world, that we are the same, whether you’re the client, the supplier or the colleague.
Changes will last
In fact, we seem to be speaking more to each other than we were pre- lockdown. Some of these changes will last. It no longer makes sense to drive hundreds of miles or fly to another country to meet face to face. It’s far cheaper and efficient to have that meeting online, making presentations over shared screens. And while, of course, we did this pre-lockdown, now it
| 48 | July 2020
has become the only way and the efficiency gains are undeniable. This pause has also given us a chance to reflect on our priorities. Time with our family and friends is suddenly more precious than ever. We value our parks and outdoor spaces and have all felt the benefit of the dramatic drop in pollution, hearing birdsong and having almost no traffic on the roads. We have become bakers, musicians, gardeners and crafters – not missing shopping trips to buy endless amounts of things we don’t really need. On a personal note, I’m watching with curiosity as I let my grey hair grow out – albeit rather than looking like the distinguished wise woman I had envisaged, I seem to be rocking the Cruella de Vil look. Some of these changes will last too – I hope. Part of our industry has suffered as live events are cancelled, as are promotions calling for disposable, single-use products. We are incredibly thankful that Mantis World does not fall into this category. With the surge in demand for comfortable, sustainable, high-quality clothing, suitable for working from home, Mantis’ adults wear fits the bill for many. There’s been a boom in online retail following the closure of shops, and with people keen to support small local businesses, personalised babywear also has done exceptionally well, with customers opting for Babybugz as the organic market leaders.
A recent Mckinsey survey of 116 sourcing executives found that ‘the
majority of fashion stakeholders believe that some core sustainability trends have been accelerated by the current crisis. More than 70% see closer partnerships with suppliers increasing and more than 60% believe that sustainable materials will become mainstream.’
Unequal balance of power The crisis has laid bare the unequal balance of power between different actors on the supply chain. Most of the clothing this industry relies on is made in countries with the fewest resources, with many people living in conditions that make social distancing impossible. In the west, our governments have provided businesses support in the form of furlough schemes, grants and loans – most countries in the developing world have little or no support. There certainly are brands, both fashion and promo, who have gone to great lengths over the years to be seen as ethical, yet are cancelling orders already shipped or demanding massive discounts from their suppliers. We don’t believe those at the start of the supply chain with the least power should sacrifice the most. At Mantis World, we have promised not to cancel any orders already produced or in the pipeline, nor will we ask for discounts. In a post-COVID world, suppliers will remember this and will, we think, be more open for a diverse number of smaller clients rather than relying on one or two large ones who call all the shots. And it’s not just the suppliers,
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
