Cooperation is the new trend

In this new phase after the bit hit of the pandemic, the first priority will, naturally, be to ensure the financial support needed to reset manufacturing and retailing activities. Nevertheless, when designing the strategy for the future, sustainability must be at the core of decision-making as pressure by consumers and other stakeholders is expected to have increased during the current pandemic crisis. A sustainable business model, allied with technology and transparency, will confer an advantage over competitors in the way businesses are run. In the fashion industry, that requires investments in innovation applied to design, materials and production processes.

Seek collective financial support
In response to the current crisis, leading brands, including Zalando, have endorsed a cross-industry plan to provide financial support to factories and workers struggling after the coronavirus pandemic. National governments and supranational
organizations, such as the EU or the IMF, also play an important role in supporting the countries and the sectors most affected by the pandemic crisis.

Join R&D partnerships
Even the biggest players struggle to achieve a significant technological transformation by their own. For many small businesses, with limited resources, and/or facing financial constraints, a collective response may be the only option available. Existing partnerships in the fashion industry aim at facilitating joint research in more sustainable production methods, access to financing and innovation through technology. Fashion for Good, a pioneer in collaborative innovation in the fashion industry, endorsed by
brands such as Galeries Lafayette group, Kering and the C&A foundation is a good example.

Engage in co-branding partnerships
Co-branding works as a strategic marketing partnership, which promotes the visibility of two separate brands, usually consisting of the launching of special limited editions. This may be an interesting strategy to promote sales in a particularly sensitive economic context.

In this new context, the World Footwear prepared a new Guidebook with Business Tips and Health and Safety Recommendations for Brand Managers and Retailers.

About the World Footwear Guidebook for Re-opening Retail
In this new prospect we are all living the World Footwear has prepared a Guidebook to support retailers and brand managers in this prospect by providing 30 business tips and 70 health and safety recommendations that might be useful in the return to their activities. Trends and Business Tips focus on Inventory; New Shopping Experience; Comfort at Home; Buy Less, Buy Better; Supply Chain: From Global to Local; All Together: Cooperation to Thrive and Digital Presence. Health and Safety Recommendations cover: Re-opening the Store; Access and Circulation in the Store; Social Distancing;  Spaces; Individual Protection Measures; Ventilation; Cleaning and Disinfection; Payments; Orders and Mail; Returns, Exchanges and Repairs; Other Considerations in Store; E-commerce and Online Presence and Employees.