New Guide: Apparel Merchandising for Brands in 2026

A new guide from MakersRow outlines essential steps for apparel merchandising, crucial for brands navigating the Fall/Winter 2026 season. Author Akshay Vichare emphasizes that effective merchandising connects design to sales, helping brands avoid the common mistake of unsold inventory. The guide covers seven key steps, from auditing current assortments to using sell-through data for future buys, aiming to make brands more financially resilient Source.

This update matters because it provides a practical roadmap for brand owners to implement strategic planning before designing, ensuring production aligns with market demand and financial goals. By focusing on merchandising math, inventory management, and leveraging sales data, brands can optimize their collections for the current retail environment and prepare for upcoming seasons.

Moving forward, brand owners should focus on integrating these merchandising principles into their operations for Fall 2026 collections. Key areas to watch include implementing structured assortment planning, carefully calculating pricing based on landed costs, and rigorously tracking SKU-level sell-through. Utilizing resources like MakersRow to connect with manufacturers that align with specific merchandising plans, including MOQs and specializations, will be critical for success Source.