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Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in Marketing & Merchandising. : The Blueprint Behind the Threads

"It's not just a process, it's the pulse of every garment line."

Introduction

SOPs support production and planning, helping businesses structure and execute activities to achieve development goals. However, they are not business plans but rather a guide to process and implementation.

An SOP provides a basic framework for activities. It's just a matter of deciding what elements it includes, how and where to place them so that everything goes according to plan.

Marketing Merchandising SOP

1. Product Strength
  • Highlight the key strengths of the product, such as quality, unique design, or durability
  • Stay ahead with market insights and customer preferences
  • Maintain consistent quality standards to build buyer trust
2. Production Capacity & Delivery
  • Ensure the factory or supplier can meet production demands on time
  • Plan production schedules to avoid delays
  • Provide buyers with a realistic delivery timeline
  • Have a backup plan for unexpected issues like material shortages or factory disruptions
3. Price Standard
  • Base pricing on fabric, worker, logistics, and real-world data
  • Offer discounts for bulk orders or loyal customers
  • Keep prices competitive and profitable to attract buyers
4. Buyer’s Credibility
  • Verify if the buyer has a good track record of timely payments
  • Review their previous business transactions and request references if needed
  • Avoid buyers with a history of order cancellations or payment issues
5. Payment Terms & Conditions
  • Clearly define payment methods — LC, TT, advance, etc
  • Set due dates and include late fee policies
  • Use secure payment methods to reduce financial risks

Executing Merchandising SOP

1. Development Stage
  • Stay in touch with the buyer.
  • Costing based on product requirements
  • Develop samples if required
  • Ensure a smooth process with the buyer
2. Order Confirmation Stage
  • Confirm final price
  • Receive the purchase order (PO)
  • Prepare the bill of materials (BOM)
  • Create the Time and Action (TNA) Calendar
  • Update Shipping Details
  • Follow Up on Master Letter of Credit (LC)
  • Ensure Timely Back-to-Back (BTB) LC
3. Approval Stage
  • Lab-Dip development and approval
  • Material arrangement for sample approval
  • Set a timeline for sample, trims, and accessories approval
4. Production Planning
  • Prepare production files
  • Conduct pre-production (PP) meetings
  • Calculate production lead time and allocate lines
  • Ensure materials are ready before production
  • Meet daily production targets
5. Shipping Plan
  • Arrange final random inspection (FRI)
  • Book shipment with the forwarder
  • Obtain shipping approval and handover goods
  • Follow up on document submission
  • Stay in contact with the buyer for payment