Why Everyone is Suddenly Seeking a Partner
For years, fashion brands operated in their own little fiefdoms. But the ground has shifted beneath their feet. You have the fast fashion giants churning out new lines every week, online brands popping up overnight, and supply chains that have become horribly unpredictable. For a mid-sized brand, it’s like trying to run a charming local pub whilst a massive, all you can eat buffet opens up across the road. You simply can’t compete on price or scale.
This is where consolidation comes in. It’s not just about getting bigger, it’s about survival. By merging, companies can pool their resources, get better deals from suppliers, and afford the sort of technology that is now essential to compete. To me, it seems less a strategic masterstroke and more a pragmatic necessity. When the storm rolls in, you find the biggest, sturdiest shelter you can.