Scouting Local Brands. Risks and Opportunities

The global fashion market is moving from a centralized buying model to a more fragmented one, where scouting local brands is becoming increasingly important. Buyers are now working not only with international brands but also with local players. At the same time, the growing number of brands also brings new challenges: inconsistent quality, limited ability to scale, limited production capacity, and business processes that are still developing.

As a result, the role of buyers is changing — from simply purchasing established products to systematically scouting brands, assessing their potential, and predicting their future growth.

• How is the role of buyers evolving in a fragmented market — from purchasers to scouts and market analysts?
• What criteria are used today to assess the potential of local brands?
• How is a scouting and selection system built: showrooms, platforms, and expert institutions?
• Are buyers ready to look for new brands abroad, or do they tend to focus on their domestic markets?