An agile supply chain in fashion is a production and fulfillment model that lets brands respond to real customer demand rather than relying on long-range forecasts. Instead of committing to inventory months in advance, agile supply chains emphasize shorter production cycles, smaller batch sizes, and frequent replenishment based on sell-through.
In fashion, the difference between push-based and pull-based supply chains comes down to when production decisions are made. Push-based systems rely on forecasts and large upfront commitments, while pull-based systems tie production and replenishment to actual demand. For a detailed comparison, see Push vs pull supply chains in fashion .
Fashion has real constraints that make agility hard: fabric lead times, minimums, trim availability, sampling rounds, fit risk, and factory capacity. Most brands end up locked into early commitments because the cost of being late is high and the cost of holding inventory is often underestimated until markdown season.
Patchwork enables agile supply chains for fashion brands by operating at the production planning, factory-level inventory, and fulfillment layer. By replenishing factory-level inventory to approximately one month of demand and shipping directly from manufacturer to consumer, Patchwork helps brands operate with a 6-week apparel calendar while reducing deadstock and inventory risk.