5 Trends from PI Apparel’s Fashion Technology Show London
This week, the Bamboo Rose team was on the ground in London for PI Apparel’s Fashion Technology Show, joining leading brands and retailers from across EMEA for two days of insight, discussion, and real-world perspective.
We came to listen. We left with clarity.
Across every conversation, one thing stood out: while the challenges facing the industry are familiar, the urgency to solve them has accelerated. Here are the five trends that defined the event.
1. Planning and product development must be connected
One of the most consistent themes we heard was the ongoing disconnect between planning and product development. Many teams are still operating in silos, with limited visibility between financial plans, assortments, and what is actually being developed.
This gap is costly. It leads directly to overbuying, missed margin, and excess inventory.
What is changing now is a clear push toward alignment. Brands are prioritizing connected workflows that bring merchandise financial planning, assortment planning, and product development together. The goal is simple: make smarter, faster decisions with full visibility from the start.
2. AI is becoming operational, not experimental
AI was a central topic throughout the show, but the conversation has shifted. The focus is no longer on experimentation. It is on execution.
Brands are asking where AI can deliver measurable value and how to scale it responsibly. The use cases gaining traction are practical and impactful: real-time demand forecasting, AI-supported assortment decisions, and automation of repetitive development tasks.
The outcome is not just efficiency. It is enabling teams to focus on higher-value work while improving speed and accuracy across the product lifecycle.
3. Speed to market is a competitive advantage
Speed is no longer just about operational efficiency. It is a driver of revenue and margin.
With trend cycles accelerating and demand shaped by digital channels, the ability to move quickly from concept to consumer is critical. Brands are actively working to reduce lead times, streamline sampling, and strengthen supplier collaboration.
At every scale, speed is now a strategic priority.
4. Sustainability depends on data, not intent
Sustainability continues to be a major focus, but the conversation has evolved beyond commitments and policies.
What brands need now is the infrastructure to act. That means end-to-end traceability, accessible compliance data, and the ability to evaluate sourcing decisions with full visibility into environmental and social impact.
Sustainability is no longer a reporting exercise. It is becoming embedded in how supply chains operate.
5. The biggest challenge is still people and process
Despite advances in technology, the most significant barrier to transformation remains the human side.
Upskilling teams, breaking down siloed ways of working, and building confidence in data-driven decisions are ongoing challenges. This was a consistent theme across conversations with brands throughout EMEA.
The most successful transformations are not just about implementing new systems. They are about enabling new ways of working.
Let’s Talk
It was energizing to connect with so many organizations navigating these challenges and to share how Bamboo Rose TotalPLM™ is helping brands and retailers bring planning, product development, sourcing, and supply chain together in one platform.
The conversations we had in London were grounded, practical, and urgent, exactly the kind that drive real progress.
If these trends reflect what your organization is working through today, we would welcome the conversation.
Bamboo Rose Team at PI Apparel London 2026