Adaptation of the textile industry to the economy of the platforms

Abstract

Digital platforms are nowadays present in almost every sector. The leaders of each sector have decided to introduce technology in their strategic programmes to achieve a bigger development, by adjusting their business models. In the textile sector, INDITEX, leader of the fast fashion, is aware of this new situation, and has seen the opportunity to integrate the digital platforms in its companies in order to offer its clients a better experience while purchasing its products and therefore increasing its customers’ engagement. The target of this essay is the study of the performance of the platform economy in the textile industry. At first a general overview of the platform economy is done, explaining its components, methodology and effects on the world economy. The methodology used in this essay was mainly bibliographic research, comparison and contrast. Among the main obtained results, it can be pointed out the unconventional usage of the platform in INDITEX, who instead of opening its software to fashion designers, customers or developers, unlike many wellkown enterprises such as Apple, Phillips or Amazon among others, the Spanish group decided to create its own platform by taking advantage of its own vertical and private synergy derived by its vast infrastructure. Despite not following the conventional patterns, the quantity and quality of information that its platform receives is such, that the enterprise is able to decode which will be the next tendencies or the most demanded pieces at a global level.