Slowing the decline of Japanese apparel : How SPA businesses are bucking the trend of a faltering industry

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings With the Japanese apparel market in decline, there is a pressing need to understand how, if at all, apparel manufacturers can survive. The vertical integration of the SPA business model is providing benefits to apparel manufacturers, with those adopting the model showing resilience to the overall downturn of the market. The author-reviewed article has investigated whether the use of an own brand strategy is influenced by four key concepts, and how they function within apparel manufacturers. Particular attention is paid to the practices used by those that have adopted the specialty store retailer of private label apparel (SPA) business model. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.