Cotton comeback… High-waisted jeans are in at Levi’s. Levi’s lifted its annual forecasts after last quarter’s sales blew past pre-pandemic levels for the first time. Rising cotton costs have caused shares of retailers like H&M and Gap to fall over the past six months. But Levi’s stock surged 9% yesterday thanks to the denim powerhouse’s strong sales and proactive supply chain.
Casual clothes, serious supply chain… Levi’s is cashing in on denim demand. The overall apparel market has outgrown its pre-pandemic size, and denim sales have grown even faster. Levi’s leaned into the jean-aissance by investing in Levi’s-branded stores and embracing the post-pandemic “casualization” trend (think: baggier fits and yoga-wear). But there’s another secret to Levi’s success: smart supply-chain management. Here’s the skinny:
Reliable supply chains never go out of style… but fashion trends come and go. Levi’s sales are booming today because it diversified its supply chain years ago. Levi’s de-risked system ensures no more than 20% of products come from any one country, preventing pipeline wrinkles. In the wake of pandemic factory closures, more companies making everything from shoes to furniture are trying on Levi’s strategy and diversifying their supply chains too.