On May 7, a training session on textile brand innovation was held in Keqiao, Shaoxing, sending a clear signal: as competition shifts from scale to brand advantage, full-chain collaboration has become a key lever for breakthroughs.
Background
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee designated the textile industry as a key sector for ‘optimization and upgrading,’ emphasizing the mission to consolidate global division of labor. Against this backdrop, Sun Ruizhe, President of China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), noted that corporate competition is shifting from point-based to system-based, making collaboration and symbiosis core logic. Brands must find niches in industrial integration and leverage points in value symbiosis.
Song Qi, Deputy District Chief of Keqiao, outlined a blueprint for local brand development, emphasizing the use of industrial chains to enhance innovation chains and value chains to shape brand chains. Keqiao will optimize full-chain services including brand cultivation, trade matching, and IP protection, aiming to become a key hub for innovation transformation and global market expansion.
Industry Impact
Supply chain collaboration was a central theme. Mao Yongjun, founder of Lushuzhengcheng, pointed out that brands must break down departmental silos to improve coordination between product and supply chain ends, forming reasonable category mixes, compelling story points, and efficient control processes to move toward both ends of the ‘smiling curve.’ This implies that mere product innovation is insufficient; systematic supply chain management has become a new threshold.
Material innovation offers differentiation. Jin Zhixue from Fujian Yongrong Jinjiang introduced a nylon differentiated product system, emphasizing joint solutions with garment and fabric suppliers to create products with brand DNA. Duan Furong from Baoxiniao outlined two strategies: adding machine-washable, cooling, and UV-resistant functions to traditional fibers, and making synthetics mimic natural fiber textures while retaining wrinkle resistance.
Diverse innovation paths also drew attention. Li Zhihui from Niannianyouyu shared Hanfu fabric innovations through blending cotton, linen, silk, and lyocell to enhance silk-like effects and comfort. Wu Peng from Dongfang International stressed that 3D digital garment software has become a standard for supply chain optimization, urging companies to build data-driven decision-making cultures.