This paper aims at analyzing what fashion supply chains management can do in order to reduce costs and time in the development of products that make use of non-exclusive materials. The research method was a double case study focused on non-exclusive items (common materials sold to more than one type of shoe or apparel producer). The following constructs were investigated: product modification/creation, speed and cost effectiveness. Shoes producers and their material suppliers were investigated in both China and Brazil. We have observed a difference in the way shoes manufacturers identify non-exclusive items: In Brazil, they do it through visits to suppliers and clients, whereas in China it is done by visiting the "shopping of materials" in Dongguan. The Chinese approach seems to increase the speed and flexibility of the development process and also to reduce costs of suppliers and buyers.
Flexibility; Costs; Design agility; Supply Chain
