Global sourcing describes strategic sourcing throughout the world. Most children’s apparel companies now include global sourcing as part of their procurement strategy.

The global sourcing of children’s goods has advantages and disadvantages that can go beyond low cost. Some advantages of global sourcing, beyond low cost, include: learning how to do business in a potential market, tapping into skills or resources unavailable domestically, developing alternate supplier/vendor sources to stimulate competition, and increasing total supply capacity. Some key disadvantages of global sourcing can include: hidden costs associated with different cultures and time zones, exposure to financial and political risks in countries with (often) emerging economies, increased risk of the loss of intellectual property, and increased monitoring costs relative to domestic supply. For manufactured goods, some key disadvantages include long lead times, the risk of port shutdowns interrupting supply, and the difficulty of monitoring product quality. Visit these websites for valuable information out starting your own Global Sourcing initiative.

Global Sources Comprehensive Global Sourcing search results and verified suppliers

Alibaba.com Global Trade Starts Here

Panjiva Comprehensive objective source of information of hundreds of thousands of overseas manufacturers.