Research methodology
The research was conducted to identify the trends in the Australian clothing and textile market, as well as identify the consumer trends among women who are the primary target market for the business. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used in the study to gather information. For the quantitative research methods, data from other researchers was used (Kothari, 2004). The data included the geographical location and climate of Australia and their direct and indirect impacts on the Australian clothing and textile market. Other trends such as sources of raw materials and fashion were also researched with the use of secondary sources. These include articles, books, and magazines. Quantitative research methods are more concerned with information like how much, how often, how many, and to what extent (University of Southern California, 2016). Empirical, analytical research methods are, therefore, more appropriate. The research focused on objective knowledge which was then analyzed by the use of deductive reasoning to arrive at reasonable conclusions.
Qualitative research methods are effective when trying to study human behaviors such as consumer preferences. The data was collected through observation and interviewing. The qualitative research was focused on the reasons why female consumers behave how they do, how their consumer trends are influenced by events around them and how they form opinions on fashion trends. Interpretive methods were used for this part of the study. The research used here is based on observable outcomes of the human behavior, and in this case, the researchers were more interested in the human behavior outcomes of the female consumers in Adelaide (University of Southern California, 2016). The observation was conducted in popular fashion stores across Adelaide. Interviewees were also selected randomly from these stores and requested to answer questionnaires pertaining their opinions and the fashion industry in Adelaide.
Data
Cities in Australia are spaced in between each other, and the Australian geographical location puts the country six months behind the global fashion trends in Europe. Australia has liberalized trade markets and open markets for imports. Most garments sold in Australia originate from China. Import duty rates in Australia have been on the decline since 2005 from 17.5 percent to 10 percent in 2010 and were expected to drop further to 5 percent by 2015 (Weller, 2007). The local garment and textile production industry experienced a decline of 8 percent between 2001 and 2005. Australia has a casual lifestyle and a moderate climate. Clothing share in household expenditure has also declined in Australian households over the last ten years. Clothing retailing establishments are widely distributed in the major cities of the country. Clothing retailing establishments in the country include department stores, small business, and boutiques and clothing stores among others. The import for clothing and knitting mill products has increased steadily from 18.5 percent in 1991 to 51.8 percent in 2001 (Weller, 2007). Garment related textiles experienced a 60 percent decline between 2001 and 2005.
The first fashion report in Australia was published in 2013 after which the grading system was introduced to improve the fashion industry in the country. At the time, only 128 brands were graded, but in 2015, the number rose to 219. 54 percent of the companies in 2013 were responsive compared to a higher percentage of 75 responsive companies in 2015 (Nimbalker, Mawson, & Cremen, 2015). 94 percent of the companies engaged in 2013 were responsive in 2015. The grading system focusses on a lot of ranking areas which include safety of employees and ensuring that employees are not exploited. Companies demonstrated 90 percent improvement in grading areas. The fashion industry in Australia is more concerned about the child and forced labor in the country.
References
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research Methodology; Methods and Techniques. Retrieved from SUZA: http://www.suza.ac.tz/saris/download/132376585119680689-Research-MethodologyMethods-and-Techniques-by-CR-Kothari.pdf%202.pdf
Nimbalker, G., Mawson, J., & Cremen, C. (2015, April 16). The Australian Fashion Report 2015. Retrieved from Baptist World Aid Australia: http://www.abc.net.au/cm/lb/6398294/data/fashion-report-data.pdf
Weller, S. (2007, October). Retailing, Clothing and Textiles Production in Australia. Retrieved from Victoria University: http://www.vises.org.au/documents/wp29.pdf
