STRATEGIC VISION FOR RECOVERY OF MOLDOVA’S FASHION INDUSTRY AFTER COVID-19

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic situation has severely influenced both the European and Moldovan fashion industry, which is directly connected with the European one. For one year there have been essential changes in both the supply and consumption chains. Consumer preferences have changed, which has further underlined sustainable, ethical, and slow fashion. Requirements for social responsibility, accountability, and transparency, for the impact on the environment have amplified. In such conditions, it is necessary to review the vision of the industry both for the post-pandemic and in the medium- and long-term period. This paper reflects the current situation in the fashion industry of the Republic of Moldova, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on it. To overcome the situation generated by the pandemic Moldova’s Light industry needs a new vision to account not only for the COVID-19 crisis but also the behavior and mindset of the new generation of consumers that place a stronger emphasis on sustainability. Moldova’s Light industry needs to connect to consumer trends, such as Sustainable fashion, Slow fashion, Social fashion, Ethical fashion, for both its manufacturing services as well as the emerging domestic fashion brands. In the longer run, the industry needs to align itself to the new technologies, sustainability, digitalization, and constant innovation without harming the environment, since garment manufacturing remains one of the highest polluters in the world. Innovation, digitalization, and green economy remain key development goals for this industry.

Keywords

• covid-19
• sustainability
• innovation
• digitalization
• recovery plan.