Modehandel

Modehandel is the sector of the economy devoted to the distribution and sale of clothing, footwear and related accessories. It comprises wholesale trade that supplies retailers and brands, and retail trade that sells to end consumers. The field includes department stores, specialty shops, fashion chains, boutiques, marketplaces, and online platforms. Retailers may operate through brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce, or omnichannel approaches.

Participants include fashion brands, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, logistics providers, and service companies such as marketing and visual merchandising. Core activities include assortment planning, trend forecasting, buying, pricing, promotion, inventory management, and customer service. The business is influenced by seasonality and fashion cycles, with collections released in advance and products rotated to meet demand.

Market structure ranges from luxury to mass-market and fast fashion. Margins and pricing vary by channel, brand, and region. Distribution relies on both physical stores and digital platforms, including marketplaces. Data-driven marketing and international sourcing increasingly shape decisions.

Trends and challenges include digitalization, omnichannel integration, sustainability, labor and environmental transparency, and circular fashion. Consumer demand for ethical sourcing, clear labeling, and responsible waste management grows. Regulatory considerations cover product labeling, textile composition, and import/export rules.

Historically, modehandel evolved from local shops and wholesalers to department stores in the 20th century, followed by globalization, the rise of fast fashion, and the growth of online retail in recent decades.