There is going to be a huge focus on quality going forward!
We have a new manager and she is not currently happy with some styles that we are putting
instore - they are not washing well after 1-3 washes. We are having shrinkage, twisting, uneven
necks, fading, pilling and flock and foil completely washing off. We also have a new GROUP Quality
manager - and he is looking at all suppliers and their inspection results. Prepare yourselves that
if you keep failing an inspection with our QC's they will reduce orders and have an expectation
that you will pass the AQL level I am receiving a huge amount of feedback that our foil washed off.
I need you all to please focus on your styles with foil - our care instructions advise cold
wash - but we need to also check that foil will remain strong after warm and hot wash (40
degrees) If you can investigate and focus on this that would be much appreciated. I am interested
to know your feedback on this. If we think it will never last in 40 degrees then maybe we need to
educate the stores on this I understand we have elevated our product significantly - it is looking
incredible Christmas product this year is sensational - they presented it to the global teams
yesterday and they were shrieking with excitement! - but our customers won't return if we have to
drop the quality to try and afford all of these extra affects on our products.
Going forward I am going to be requesting quality testing through Intertek - appearance after wash
and shrinkage. If it is a volume or fash volume style with huge quantities then I think it is fair
for the factory to pay for this test.I also need to discuss with each of you individually what the
cost would be to try and improve our base fabrics if they are not performing. We need our customers
to keep returning. Kmart/Target/Big W/Best and less - are all now doing elevated product and some
oftheir fabrics are better. Their retails are also much lower than us. I understand our margin
expectation is high - so we need to try and find the best balance together.