WHAT IS RESILIANCE?

Given that warehousing is one of the most important tasks in supply chains, resilience
should be taken into account and prepared for beforehand. Dimensioning of
warehouses, necessary stock and buffer levels, all crucial warehouse procedures, the
geographical structure and layout of various warehouse levels, and vertical or horizontal
partner collaboration are all covered by this.
In addition to considering outsourcing from an economic standpoint, one should also
take resilience into account. In this context, technology automation, warehousing
equipment, IT infrastructure, and digitalization all play significant roles. This article
attempts to provide a summary of these issues and discusses what has to be done to
make warehousing more resilient.

RESILIANCE OF WAREHOUSE UNIQLO.

Vertical Integration Strategy of Uniqlo
According to Investopedia, vertical integration is a strategy in which a business owns or
controls its distributors, retailers, or other suppliers in order to manage its value or
supply chain. Companies profit from vertical integration because it gives them control
over processes, lowers costs, and increases efficiency. Since Uniqlo maintains every
aspect of its business in-house, from product planning and design to production and
distribution facilities, it is always aware of the wants and demands of its customers.
This enables the brand to avoid incurring expenditures due to excess production or
pointless overhead. Uniqlo is able to replace its stock in a matter of days and develop
its products in a matter of weeks because to this effective vertical integration strategy.
Buying fabric in quantity enables the business to bargain with suppliers and produce
inexpensive garments.

Quality > Quantity

Focusing on high-quality clothes is one of Uniqlo's primary differentiators. The brand
specializes in season-proof basics, as opposed to the majority of mass fashion labels,
which are trend-based and have shorter life cycles. Uniqlo prepares their production a
year in advance, whereas Zara seeks to speed up its apparel-making process to
produce goods in just two weeks! The company has been successful in stabilizing the
buying cycle and delivering on its commitment to sustainable clothes by offering high-
quality garments.
Uniqlo Strategy makes it a Technology Company
Tadashi Yanai frequently used. And every newly released product reflects that. Using
technology throughout the board, including in its manufacturing facilities, supply chain,
in-store experiences, and with its customers, is what makes Uniqlo unique. Innovative
textiles made by Uniqlo include HeatTech, which keeps people warm, AIRsm apparel,
which is soft and breathable, and UV Protection, which prevents UV rays from reaching
the skin. Life Wear is working to revolutionize casual wear and comfortable apparel.
The apparel retailer has a distinct advantage over its rivals thanks to branding these
innovations. Every Uniqlo location is created with the digital customer in mind.
Customers are encouraged to explore and learn about the technology used at the
store's interactive area to create fabrics. Huge LED screens, warm interiors, bright
lighting, and welcoming store managers all work together to create an immersive and
comprehensive shopping experience that will have you coming back time and time
again. The business has extensively invested in the potential of e-commerce and used
digital marketing to communicate with customers through a variety of initiatives. Uniqlo
hopes to expand its target population and increase website traffic with these digital
initiatives. See the HEATTECH campaign, winner of a Shorty Award, which attracted
35,000 new clients and received over 4,000,000 views.

Brand Collaboration
Celebrities who share Uniqlo's ideals of high performance, resiliency, humility, a strong
display of sportsmanship, and character have carefully partnered with the company. It
features six international sports ambassadors who serve as role models for younger
generations, including tennis superstar Roger Federer and professional golfer Adam
Scott. Much like the brand, they communicate through their performances. With brand
partnerships like Disney, the Louvre, Andy Warhol artwork, Manga, and top designers
like street artist Keith Haring, Marimekko, and Jil Sander, to mention a few, Uniqlo
offers a dynamic splash of colour and excitement to contrast with the minimalism of its
offerings. Through these partnerships, the company has been able to reach audiences
with minimal brand awareness. . What is superior? You might also work with someone!
UTmeapp, !'s just by creating your prints there. In just 20 minutes, using the app, you
can create a design, customize it to fit your tastes, and have it printed! Although this is
only offered at a few locations, it has a lot of potential to continue to be important in
the fast fashion industry.
The Brand Vision
Uniqlo has been steadfast in its drive to offer top-notch comfortable clothing to
everyone while keeping the client at the centre of its business strategy. By
implementing a strong omnichannel approach, Tadashi Yanai hopes to revolutionize the
customer experience and establish his brand as the market leader in each nation where
it does business. Yanai, in order to set Uniqlo apart from other Japanese companies and
establish the company as a worldwide brand, has made sure that every employee
speaks English. The open and transparent corporate culture allows all stakeholders,
regardless of position, the opportunity to share their ideas. Have you ever listened to
the notorious "Welcome to Uniqlo"? The business makes an investment in training the
storefront staff before you even go inside to ensure the finest possible customer
experience. In fact, Uniqlo established a centre in Tokyo and annually educates more
than 1500 retail personnel. Tadashi wants to advance the goal of "Changing Clothing"
through Uniqlo. modifying received wisdom. transform the world. And as part of this
initiative, the company has been putting sustainable measures into effect to give back
to society. It has gathered millions of unwanted Uniqlo garments through its recycling
initiative RE.UNIQLO and given them to the less fortunate.

The Pandemic Effect on Uniqlo’s Strategy

The fashion sector has suffered because of the Pandemic. People were unable to leave
their homes because production and supply chain processes were shut down, and
countries were in lockdown. As a result, people started choosing comfortable at-home
attire instead of fashionable attire. While all fast fashion companies have something to
offer in comfortable clothing, Uniqlo, which is more lifestyle-focused, discovered its
primary growth opportunity. As a matter of fact, Fast Retailing has reportedly seen
profits return to pre-pandemic levels and forecasts a total turnover of $21 Billion in the
fiscal year ending in August 2021. Uniqlo's emphasis on the Chinese market is a key
factor in this. When the economy expanded and coronavirus epidemics were contained,
fast retailing in China saw an improvement in business. Uniqlo is now China's most
popular fashion shop with over 800 outlets. And this is attributable to the fact that
Uniqlo's Life Wear selections are ideal for use as outdoor casual wear and work-from-
home attire.
The Way ahead
Tadashi Yanai wants to dominate Asia. The company opened its first three outlets in
India in 2019 after its inception. It will be interesting to see how Uniqlo communicates
with and adapts its products to match the needs of this expanding country's 1.3 Billion
population as they increase their focus on winning the Indian market. For the time
being, Uniqlo has a place in my wardrobe; how about yours.

HOW TO MAKE WAREHOUSE RESILIANCE?

Step 1: Save Picking Time on the Warehouse Floor
Step 2: Getting Orders Packed Right the First Time, in Less Time
Step 3: Getting Orders Out the Door and Headed in the Right Direction
Step 4: Seeing Orders Through Delivery