Will Amazon’s on-demand manufacturing create trouble for fast-fashion?

via retailwire.com

Zara, Topshop and the like have upset apparel retailing with their sophisticated fast-fashion processes, but a new patent awarded this week to Amazon could make their systems look passé.

Amazon’s on-demand system would use automated textile printers, cutters and assembly lines to custom manufacturer garments and route them to customers. The model emphasizes cost reduction, organizing batch, for example, based on the shipping addresses of customers.

The patent also envisions the system being used for other categories such as bedding, towels and footwear. Amazon’s on-demand book publishing has already revolutionized that business. What do you think on-demand could do for/to apparel?

DISCUSSION HERE