Marginal product impact improvements are being outweighed by overall production growth, with ultra-fast fashion driving an industry-wide surge in volume. Yet even establishing the scale of the problem is difficult: only 9 percent of brands disclose their annual production volumes (Fashion Revolution’s What Fuels Fashion? Vol 2).
What we do know is that between 15 and 45 billion garments go unsold every year (WGSN), reflecting deep inefficiencies in a planning model that asks buyers to product demand months ahead with minimal evidence. The financial risk of under-ordering encourages brands to overproduce, making surplus a built-in feature rather than an exception. At the same time, unused stock presents a clear opportunity to improve margins, increase efficiency, and reduce waste.
This session will explore:
- How greater transparency can help pinpoint where and why overproduction occurs
- The practical solutions available today, including AI-enabled forecasting, production efficiency, and more local, demand-led manufacturing
- How these improvements stack up in an industry still driven by high consumption and constant product refresh
Ultimately, we ask what it will take to build an industry where producing less is not only possible, but capable of sustaining long-term business success.
What to expect from this type of session...
Main stage sessions, but not as you know them. Because we’re off-the-record, leading experts can speak candidly about their experience with what works, and what doesn’t. At least half the session is dedicated to audience insights and questions to ensure we tackle the big issues head on.
