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F YOU’VE WORKED in the industry for much time
at all, you may believe purchasing apparel produced
stateside is rarely necessary. Unless you’re working on
a government contract or helping choose items for a politi-
cal campaign, where’s the need? And more important,
what’s the benefit?
The truth is, there are many great reasons to look for items labeled
“Made in the U.S.A.” Sourcing domestic apparel can positively affect
your business’s image and bottom line by providing intangible value and
boosting client confidence. Here are three examples of what we mean.
· U.S. goods are seen as higher quality.
Nostalgia for the good ol’ days of American-made quality and
craftsmanship is real. Shopper research from Perception Research
Services (PRS) shows the average American will pay up to 60 percent
more for U.S.-made products. This is largely because domestically-
made goods are perceived to be of higher value—and not just by
Americans. Citizens in other countries perceive American goods
to be the best, too.
· Buying domestically-made apparel is good business.
Purchasing apparel items from domestic manufacturers
results in faster shipping times with fewer potential delays.
Shipping products from overseas factories means orders
can take as many as seven weeks to be delivered. Orders
from U.S.-based facilities, however, have average pro-
duction times of about half that amount. Speedy
turnaround times are a necessity for the apparel
industry, which moves quickly in order to take
advantage of emerging fashion trends.
Surprisingly, buying apparel overseas doesn’t
automatically mean lower prices like it once
EYE ON APPAREL
I
WHY PURCHASING AMERICAN-MADE APPAREL IS
GOOD FOR BUSINESS
BY TAMA UNDERWOOD
IT PAYS TO
GO NATIVE
12 •
PPB
• JULY 2015
INNOVATE