By moving their sourcing around the world, retailers exploit labor and force down prices. To do so in a highly competitive environment, they must seek the best sources of supply for the products they sell. Sometimes a U.S. producer may be the best source for a particular item, while in other instances it may be a foreign producer. The United States simply does not produce all the products, especially the apparel and footwear, that American consumers demand. Moreover, because of U.S. trade laws limiting apparel imports, retailers may be forced to source apparel from a number of different countries.
American consumers demand, and deserve, the best value in their products.
To meet this demand, retailers must travel the world finding suppliers who can provide the quality and value customers require. Far from exploiting labor, retailers have created millions of jobs worldwide. When retailers buy from suppliers in the United States or overseas, they create jobs. Jobs in the apparel industry in particular are often the first step up from poverty for people in many developing countries, especially women. The truth is, by sourcing throughout the world, U.S. retailers provide American consumers with the greatest selection and value in the world, while creating jobs, and the first step towards economic independence, for millions worldwide.