# Agile retail > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Agile_retail > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Agile_retail.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_retail > Source revision: 1304444719 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Retail model **Agile retail** is a [direct-to-consumer](/source/Direct_selling) [retail](/source/Retail) model that uses [big data](/source/Big_data) to try to predict trends, manage efficient production cycles, and faster turnaround on emerging styles.[1] Agile retail applies concepts from Agile and Lean in the retail business, and aims to respond faster to customer needs. This retail model is used by [Amazon](/source/Amazon.com). The concept turns [e-commerce](/source/E-commerce) retailers into on-demand platforms that identify stock and deliver desired products directly to the consumer. The main focus of Agile retail is to identify trends that are popular with consumers at a given moment and deliver those products using Agile production concepts.[2] Experts in the fashion industry argue that Agile retail is the next step for fashion retail, especially with rising online sales.[2] Agile Retail gives more options to customers, usually at a lower price, and delivers the product directly to them.[2] Agile retail is a new form of fast fashion that applies the concepts of “Agile” and “Lean” in the fashion retail business.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] It is also all about serving customers better by aligning to their changing needs.[3] ## History The Agile ideology can be traced back to the [Lean manufacturing](/source/Lean_manufacturing) principles developed at [Toyota](/source/Toyota) in the 1950s.[4] Lean manufacturing focuses on eliminating waste in the manufacturing process. The basic intention is to maximize efficiency during manufacturing with a view to enhance productivity and lower costs. Back then, the Agile retail concept was applied mainly to the manufacturing of hard goods such as automobiles.[4] In recent years Agile retail, especially in the fashion industry, capitalizes on many of the principles that have made other stalwart tech companies successful in their respective industries.[1] In a traditional fashion company, a designer creates an entire collection usually based on his or her inspiration.[1] The Germany-based online retailer [Lesara](/source/Lesara) has been using the concept of agile retail in the fashion industry.[5] ## Processes Agile retail uses big data to try to estimate what customers want and anticipate demand and quantities.[6] Agile retail companies are able to respond more quickly to changing circumstances using the data from this process. The aim is to know consumer needs at any given point.[2][7] The Agile enterprise emphasizes iteration over perfection, the ability to move quickly and to constantly learn and adapt.[8] ## Advantages - Using big data to figure out faster what the consumer wants.[5] - Ability to respond to changing needs faster than traditional retail.[*[dubious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Accuracy_dispute#Disputed_statement) – [discuss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Agile_retail#Dubious)*] - Aim to personalize shopper's demands.[5] - Intense use of big data and data analysis.[*[dubious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Accuracy_dispute#Disputed_statement) – [discuss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Agile_retail#Dubious)*] - More efficient supply chain, reducing waste.[5] ## Disadvantages - Agile retail relies partially on traditional retailers, especially luxury retailers, in setting trends which are used as inspiration.[9] ## See also - [Agile management](/source/Agile_management) - [Agile software development](/source/Agile_software_development) - [Fast fashion](/source/Fast_fashion) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BC_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BC_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BC_1-2) Nadya Khoja, ["Changing Clothes: How Agile Retail is Disrupting the Fashion Industry"](http://www.business.com/retail-and-restaurant/how-agile-retail-is-disrupting-the-fashion-industry/), *business.com*, July 20, 2016. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-HP_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-HP_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-HP_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-HP_2-3) ["Can This New Industry Disrupt Fast Fashion?"](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nancy-laws/can-this-new-industry-dis_b_9362344.html), *huffingtonpost.com*, February 3, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-AR_3-0)** ["Agile Retailing?"](http://www.agileretailing.com.au/what-we-do/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150301120702/http://www.agileretailing.com.au/what-we-do/) 2015-03-01 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *agileretailing.com*,. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Agile_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Agile_4-1) ["From Factory Floors to Software Development: Tracing Agile's Toyota Roots"](https://kurtuhlir.com/agile-retail-direct-to-consumer/). *kurtuhlir.com*. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-INS_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-INS_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-INS_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-INS_5-3) ["Lesara Uses Agile Management and Data to Meet Retail Fashion Trends"](https://insights.samsung.com/2016/07/19/lesara-uses-agile-management-and-data-to-meet-retail-fashion-trends/), *insights.samsung.com*,. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Reasons Why Big Data Is The Next Big Thing In The Fashion Industry"](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/2768343), *entrepreneur.com*,. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Mark Collin, ["Future of Retail: Agile Retail Development"](https://www.thoughtworks.com/insights/blog/future-retail-agile-retail-development), *thoughtworks.com*,. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Jason Wallis, Mozu, ["3 ways retailers can learn from the Agile movement — and get bolder and faster"](https://venturebeat.com/2015/10/20/3-ways-retailers-can-learn-from-the-agile-movement-and-get-bolder-and-faster/), *venturebeat.com*, October 20, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Agile Methodology: Benefits & Disadvantages"](http://study.com/academy/lesson/agile-methodology-benefits-disadvantages.html), *study.com*, This article needs additional or more specific categories. Please help out by adding categories to it so that it can be listed with similar articles. (March 2024) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Agile retail](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_retail) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_retail?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.