| In the past several decades, intensive competitive pressure in the U.S. apparel market has forced retail firms to seek suppliers that can provide better quality products at lower costs (Cho and Kang, 2001; Fredriksson and Jonsson, 2009). Although retail companies are consistently looking for suppliers that can provide goods at a low price, the final sourcing decision cannot always be determined by price alone (Chi and Kilduff, 2010). Though we know that imports account for the majority of U.S. apparel sold in mainstream retail channels, specific countries in the developing world play different roles in this market. This research provides insight into the specific efforts that developing and LDC designated countries place on apparel exports in the U.S. market.;This research provides a current analysis (i.e., 2010-2012) of the U.S. retail market's sourcing practices by examining imports from seven predominant apparel source countries (i.e., China, India, Vietnam, Mexico, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Cambodia) that supply major channels in the U.S. retail environment (i.e., mass merchant channel, value department store channel and traditional department store channel). In addition, this research informs the academic work on global sourcing decision making as well as the continued role of Neoclassical export-led development theory within the global textile industry (Salvatore and Hatcher, 1991; Moschos, 1989; Mbaku, 1989; Balassa, 1985). The research findings reveal sourcing countries' export efforts among large U.S. retail channels and specific product categories (i.e., woven shirts, knit shirts, denim jeans, and pants). (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.). |
