The current environment is summarized in the figure below. Retailers, designers, domestic and off-shore manufacturers all work individually. Each considers themselves as a single entity.
Nobody shares any data, or works as a team.
Retailers are looking for fast inventory turns, keeping their inventory low, with the fewest markdowns. Manufacturers want to increase their sales, and keep their brand names in the market, meanwhile lower inventory. In our proposed model retailers, designers, domestic manufacturers, and off-shore manufacturers cooperate by sharing data and allocating resources so as to develop a system in which everyone benefits. Strategic alliances provide all players with the details of the consumption rate, the production plan, and inventory status. Through education and communication channels each player can react to changing situations based on the shared data.