Our vision is to be a worldwide leader in ‘big and tall’ fashion
The Duke Clothing Co. is a premier online wholesaler specialising in men’s plus size fashion, offering a diverse range of high-quality shirts, jeans, trousers, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories under brands like D555, Duke London, and Rockford. Established in 1985, The Duke Clothing Co. provides retailers and boutiques with stylish and value-driven men’s clothing designed in the UK, ensuring they remain at the forefront of fashion trends. In a conversation with Fibre2Fashion, Director Subhash Bassi talks about the company’s evolution, sustainability practices, challenges and more.
How is the fashion industry addressing the increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products?
The fashion industry is increasingly addressing the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products through various initiatives and strategies. These include:
Using organic and recycled materials
Pushing for fair trade practices
Exploring upcycling and recycling
Adopting technologies to save energy and water
Implementing natural and low-impact dyeing processes
These efforts help to create more sustainable products and reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
In what ways is technology, such as AI and augmented reality, transforming the shopping experience in the fashion industry?
AI and AR are definitely transforming the shopping experience in the fashion industry in several significant ways:
AI-powered product recommendations help customers decide what looks best on them.
Virtual try-on and fitting services allow customers to try on clothes from the comfort of their home or office.
AR product visualisation enables customers to see and interact with products in a virtual environment.
360-degree product views on websites provide a comprehensive view of the items.
We are all eager to see what will have the biggest impact in the future.
What significant changes have you observed in consumer behaviour in the fashion industry over the past few years?
Several significant changes have been observed in consumer behaviour over the past few years, driven by various factors such as technological advancements, shift towards online shopping, shifting cultural norms, impact of social media, and evolving market dynamics. These changes in consumer behaviour are reshaping the fashion industry landscape, driving brands to adapt and innovate to meet evolving consumer preferences and expectations.
What are the current challenges and innovations in supply chain management within the fashion industry?
The biggest challenge for the fashion industry is handling global events such as natural disasters, political instability, and trade disputes, which can severely disrupt supply chains. These disruptions lead to delays in production and transportation of goods. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of the fashion industry requires a quick turnaround time from design to production and into stores to meet consumer demand and stay ahead of fashion trends, putting significant pressure on the supply chain.
One of the most impactful innovations is the adoption of automation and robotics in manufacturing and logistics operations. This increases efficiency, reduces costs, and improves accuracy in tasks such as picking, packing, and sorting.
How do you gather and incorporate customer feedback to improve your products and services?
We believe there is no better feedback than talking face-to-face with consumers. Therefore, we always encourage our staff to engage with customers directly to gather feedback. By doing this, we gain valuable insights into customer requirements, preferences, concerns, and satisfaction levels.
This approach helps us build strong relationships with our customers and shows them how much they matter to us. In turn, this valuable feedback allows us to make informed decisions to improve their overall experience with our brands and the company.
How has social media influenced fashion trends and brand marketing strategies in recent years?
Social media has significantly influenced fashion trends and brand marketing strategies in recent years, shaping the way consumers discover, engage with, and purchase fashion products. Social media platforms allow users to share fashion trends and styles in real-time, revolutionising the fashion industry by democratising access to trends and fostering deeper connections between brands and consumers. This has led to more interactive and immediate marketing strategies, where brands can engage directly with their audience and receive instant feedback.
Can you share the vision and mission of The Duke Clothing Co., and how these have evolved over the years?
The Duke Clothing Co. is a division of Bassi Fashions Ltd. Founded in Nottingham in 1985, we are still a family-owned and run company. We are a world-renowned supplier of men’s casualwear, delivering to destinations all over the planet. We are also widely recognised as Europe’s leading branded marketeer of regular and king-size men’s clothing.
Marketing six of the most recognised brands—Duke London, D555, Split Star, Rockford, Laser, and Future Cut Cloths—our heritage of quality, innovation, and value for money combined with up-to-the-minute collections has earned us the trust of generations.
Today, the company designs, develops, markets, and sells its products all across Europe and to most countries across the world. ‘Fashion for men of all sizes’ is not only a key statement for The Duke Clothing Co. that has remained constant since the company’s establishment in 1985, but is also the company’s philosophy and marketing approach.
Since the company’s inception, The Duke Clothing Co. has been well known in the UK for its innovative and revolutionary style. This has resulted in the company’s brands enjoying an enviable reputation and quickly becoming the No.1 brand of choice for the majority of larger men in Europe.
Our vision is to be a worldwide leader in ‘big and tall’ fashion, renowned for fashionable and reasonably priced apparel, meeting a wide range of client needs and encouraging sustainability in the fashion sector.
Our mission is to satisfy our customers’ varied interests and preferences by providing them with stylish clothes beyond what they expect and delivering outstanding service and value for their money. To keep ahead of the fashion market, we must constantly innovate our product lines and operating procedures, reduce our environmental impact through sustainable sourcing methods, and engage with social responsibility initiatives to positively impact the communities in which we operate.
How do you ensure that The Duke Clothing Co. stays ahead in terms of fashion trends and product innovation?
At The Duke Clothing Co., we invest in comprehensive fashion research, keeping a close eye on emerging trends and regularly collecting data on customer preferences, sales patterns, and social media trends. This approach helps us make informed decisions when developing new collections and designs, ensuring that our products remain fashionable and innovative.
What sustainability practices has the company implemented to reduce its environmental impact?
At The Duke Clothing Co., we have implemented several sustainability practices to reduce our products environmental impact. Following are few of the practices which are a common part of our strategy:
Using organic cotton, recycled polyester and many other eco-friendly fabrics.
Using environmentally friendly dyes and water processes with minimum water.
Using recycled and biodegradable packaging.
Eliminating unnecessary packaging.
Educating consumers about sustainable fashion.
Who is the primary target audience for your company, and how do you cater to their specific needs and preferences?
The primary target audience for The Duke Clothing Co. is a ‘big’ or ‘tall’ male who is fashion-conscious individual looking for stylish, high-quality and affordable clothing.
How has The Duke Clothing Co. adapted to the digital age, especially in terms of e-commerce and online customer engagement?
The Duke Clothing Co. has adapted to the digital age through a multifaceted approach, focusing on enhancing e-commerce capabilities and boosting online customer engagement. Here are a few key points on how we have adapted:
User-friendly website: We have developed a user-friendly website that makes shopping easy and enjoyable for our customers.
Fast and reliable shipping: We ensure fast and reliable shipping to meet the expectations of our online shoppers.
Inventory management: Efficient inventory management helps us maintain product availability and satisfy customer demand.
Active social media presence: We maintain an active social media presence to engage with our customers, share updates, and promote our products.
Customer feedback and reviews: We value customer feedback and reviews, using them to continuously improve our products and services.
What are the biggest challenges The Duke Clothing Co. faces in the current retail environment, and what opportunities do you see in the near future?
As with any business, we face several challenges in the current retail and B2B environment, but there are also significant opportunities for growth and innovation. Here’s an overview:
Challenges:
The fashion industry is subject to rapidly changing trends and consumer preferences. Staying ahead of these trends requires constant innovation and adaptation.
Fluctuating economic conditions, such as inflation and recession fears, can impact consumer spending on non-essential items like fashion.
Global supply chain issues, such as delays, increased shipping costs, and raw material shortages, can affect product availability and cost.
Opportunities:
The shift towards online shopping continues to grow. We can capitalise on this trend by enhancing our online presence and offering a seamless shopping experience.
Embracing sustainability and ethical practices can attract environmentally conscious consumers. This includes using sustainable materials, adopting eco-friendly manufacturing processes, and being transparent about our practices.
How does your company differentiate itself from other fashion brands in the market?
At The Duke Clothing Co., we differentiate ourselves from other fashion brands by focusing on unique value propositions that appeal to our target audience. We provide a diverse range of clothing options, including casual wear, sportswear, and more, catering to various occasions and customer preferences. This variety ensures that we meet the needs of our customers, offering stylish and versatile apparel that stands out in the market.
Are there any plans for further global expansion? If so, which markets are you targeting and why?
We already have a strong presence across Europe and major cities around the world. So, we are focusing on nurturing and growing our existing customer base.
What are the key strategic initiatives The Duke Clothing Co. is focusing on for the next 5-10 years?
We are accelerating our digital transformation efforts to enhance the online shopping experience. This includes mobile optimisation, AI-driven personalisation, and virtual try-on technologies. These initiatives aim to provide a more seamless and engaging experience for our customers, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the fashion industry.
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