Pull-based production in fashion is a manufacturing approach where production is triggered by real customer demand rather than long-range forecasts. Instead of producing large quantities upfront, brands replenish inventory incrementally based on sell-through signals.
At its core, pull-based production shifts risk from upfront inventory commitments to ongoing replenishment decisions.
Fashion supply chains face constraints that make pull-based production difficult: fabric minimums, long material lead times, sampling and fit iterations, and factory capacity planning. As a result, many brands default to push-based models even when demand is uncertain.
Pull-based production is a foundational mechanism within agile supply chains. By tying production decisions to demand signals, pull-based production enables faster response times, shorter calendars, and lower inventory risk.
Patchwork enables pull-based production in fashion by replenishing factory-level inventory to approximately one month of demand and shipping directly from manufacturer to consumer. This allows brands to operate with a 6-week apparel calendar while avoiding large upfront inventory commitments.