Supply Chain Technology Sees Seismic Shifts Over Decade

Supply Chain Technology Sees Seismic Shifts Over Decade

BlueCherry report highlights seismic shifts in supply chain technology over the past decade.

Computer Generated Solutions, through its BlueCherry platform, has released its 10th annual Global Supply Chain & Technology Report

This provides a decade-long analysis of trends, challenges, and opportunities in the fashion supply chain landscape and reveals two top technology priorities in 2025: cultivating AI driven insights and optimising merchandise demand planning.

Over 300 executives across the global apparel, footwear, accessories, consumer lifestyle goods, retail, and manufacturing industries contributed to the new report. BlueCherry reveals how industry priorities have dramatically changed in a decade characterised by shifting technologies, consumer behaviours, and trade environments. Top 2025 priorities include:

  • AI and advanced analytics: data driven decision-making has been a high priority over the past 10 years and is now a must have capability in 2025. 91% of businesses view AI driven insights as critical to growth.
  • Merchandise demand planning: 77% of respondents cite implementing demand planning technology solutions as a top priority – the highest in four years. This is due, in part, to objectives for mitigating unforeseen supply chain disruptions.
  • Nearshoring and reshoring: 45% of businesses are prioritising nearshoring/reshoring, up significantly from a 14% average over the past four years.

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Top growth strategies remain unchanged: Although the past 10 years have seen dramatic economic, social and consumer behavior changes, prioritising new customer acquisition, e-commerce and deploying digital process improvements have each been constant priorities.

The report also highlights top industry concerns for 2025:

  • Economic and political uncertainty: 76% of industry leaders cited economic and political uncertainty as a serious or moderate challenge, up from 68% in 2024. By contrast, just 6% viewed trade policies (including tariffs) as a major risk back in 2020.
  • Supply chain visibility: While overall confidence in supply chains remains steady, most respondents (85%) still say visibility is a key area for improvement.

“Our annual State of Supply Chain & Technology Report has helped fashion and apparel brands navigate a decade dominated by tech driven disruption,” said Paul Magel, President, Business Applications and Technology Outsourcing Division  at CGS.

“Our findings underscore the importance of better demand planning and access to AI driven insights for smarter, faster decision-making. We’re proud to empower clients with the solutions and intelligence needed to optimise operations,  enhance resilience, and drive sustainable growth.”

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