Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 58 Fashion Marketing &Merchandising
Primary Group
As with the previous chain, textiles make up the first
link. In combination with leathers and furs (and some
plastics and metals), they comprise the primary group
of the four-groups approach. This group provides the
raw materials from which fashion products are made.
Varying amounts of fibers, fabrics, leathers, and furs
are sold to apparel and accessory producers. Some of
these primary products are also sold to fabric stores
and production specialists who move them on for
home decorating or industrial uses.
Secondary Group
The secondary group is the manufacturing segment,
which makes fi nished garments from the textiles
and other materials bought from the primary suppli-
ers. This group produces sewn or fabricated products,
which include garments, accessories, and other items.
Retail Group
The retail group consists of stores, Internet retail sites,
mail-order catalogs, TV home shopping channels, and
other retail enterprises that sell the fi nished goods to
those who want to buy and use them. Retailers are
the fi nal link between product manufacturers and
consumers. They must stock adequate assortments of
what consumers will buy.
Auxiliary Group
The fi rst three groups are almost identical to the textile/apparel pipeline
discussed earlier, but with different labels. The auxiliary group supports, or
helps, the fi rst three groups.
Fashion auxiliary enterprises function with all the other groups simulta-
neously. They include market researchers and forecasters who provide infor-
mation about colors and other trends that are occurring in the consumer
marketplace. These consulting and reporting firms help to analyze and inter-
pret future fashion directions. They give advice that assists manufacturers and
retailers in understanding upcoming trends and satisfying consumer demand.
Other examples of auxiliary enterprises are the many fashion publications
and advertising agencies that produce and disseminate fashion information
and ads. Editors of fashion magazines visit the fashion markets and attend
major showings to be able to report the latest fashion news. They educate
both consumers and working members of the industry. Publicity and adver-
tising agencies assist client companies in researching the consumer market
The Four-Groups Approach
Primary
group
(raw materials)
Secondary
group
(manufacturing)
Retail group
(final
distribution)
Textiles
Leathers
Furs
Garments
Accessories
Other
fabricated
products
Stores
Catalogs
TV sales
channels
Other selling
Auxiliary
group
(fashion-related:
trade
associations,
publications,
consultants,
agencies)
Retail websites
Consumers End users
Mary G. Wolfe
Figure 4.3 Th e four-groups approach to the channel of
distribution is similar to the previous soft goods chain, but
shows the additional auxiliary group that gives supplemen-
tary support to all other parts of the fashion industry.
Primary Group
As with the previous chain, textiles make up the first
link. In combination with leathers and furs (and some
plastics and metals), they comprise the primary group
of the four-groups approach. This group provides the
raw materials from which fashion products are made.
Varying amounts of fibers, fabrics, leathers, and furs
are sold to apparel and accessory producers. Some of
these primary products are also sold to fabric stores
and production specialists who move them on for
home decorating or industrial uses.
Secondary Group
The secondary group is the manufacturing segment,
which makes fi nished garments from the textiles
and other materials bought from the primary suppli-
ers. This group produces sewn or fabricated products,
which include garments, accessories, and other items.
Retail Group
The retail group consists of stores, Internet retail sites,
mail-order catalogs, TV home shopping channels, and
other retail enterprises that sell the fi nished goods to
those who want to buy and use them. Retailers are
the fi nal link between product manufacturers and
consumers. They must stock adequate assortments of
what consumers will buy.
Auxiliary Group
The fi rst three groups are almost identical to the textile/apparel pipeline
discussed earlier, but with different labels. The auxiliary group supports, or
helps, the fi rst three groups.
Fashion auxiliary enterprises function with all the other groups simulta-
neously. They include market researchers and forecasters who provide infor-
mation about colors and other trends that are occurring in the consumer
marketplace. These consulting and reporting firms help to analyze and inter-
pret future fashion directions. They give advice that assists manufacturers and
retailers in understanding upcoming trends and satisfying consumer demand.
Other examples of auxiliary enterprises are the many fashion publications
and advertising agencies that produce and disseminate fashion information
and ads. Editors of fashion magazines visit the fashion markets and attend
major showings to be able to report the latest fashion news. They educate
both consumers and working members of the industry. Publicity and adver-
tising agencies assist client companies in researching the consumer market
The Four-Groups Approach
Primary
group
(raw materials)
Secondary
group
(manufacturing)
Retail group
(final
distribution)
Textiles
Leathers
Furs
Garments
Accessories
Other
fabricated
products
Stores
Catalogs
TV sales
channels
Other selling
Auxiliary
group
(fashion-related:
trade
associations,
publications,
consultants,
agencies)
Retail websites
Consumers End users
Mary G. Wolfe
Figure 4.3 Th e four-groups approach to the channel of
distribution is similar to the previous soft goods chain, but
shows the additional auxiliary group that gives supplemen-
tary support to all other parts of the fashion industry.