Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Supply Chain Management in the Clothing Sector and Possible Solutions

The clothing sector is one which possesses significance in global trade. The sector has been negatively affected by the pandemic due to its labor-intensive structure and possession of a relatively long and global supply chain. At this point, the Turkish clothing sector, which is the sixth biggest clothing supplier in the world, the third biggest clothing supplier in the European Union, and comprised 10% of Turkey’s general exports in 2019, should be investigated. In this context, this research aims to determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply chain management in the Turkish clothing sector. Also, it aims to specify possible solutions against the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In accordance with the aim of the research, a survey was conducted in clothing enterprises. 391 survey questionnaires were incorporated into the research. According to the research results, it is determined that supply chain management in the Turkish clothing sector has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Order disruptions and cessations have ruined employment, production, procurement and investment processes resulting in financial disruptions. The most significant possible precautions that can be taken by enterprises that can be indicated as follows: benefiting from government support, heading towards online trade and an omni-channel strategy, actualising necessary alterations in product ranges, giving essential importance to innovation, efficient use of occupational health and safety systems, shortening the supply chain as far as possible, integrating digitalisation into all processes of the supply chain, and increasing the efficiency of marketing activities.