The company has also collaborated with UK-based fashion retailers Next and French Connection to broaden its contemporary assortment. Sears has been the exclusive US online retailer of Next branded apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and children since fall 2010, and of UK Style by French Connection branded clothing and accessories for men, women, and children since spring 2011. (Kumar, 2006)
The power of big retailers is a major challenge for many apparel vendors and manufacturers. As retailers shrink their inventories and order closer to the time that merchandise is needed, manufacturers are forced to assume more inventory risk. In addition, their sheer size puts big retailers in a strong position to negotiate favorable terms with manufacturers, with regard to pricing, shipping, co-advertising (in which retailers and manufacturers share the cost of advertising), and product labeling.
Consumers also wield considerable power over apparel and accessories brands, as they can switch readily from one product or brand to another. To dissuade them from doing so, manufacturers attempt to raise brand awareness and build brand loyalty among consumers. A strong brand image typically gives a manufacturer more pricing flexibility by creating a “must-have” perception to the consumer. Of course, some segments, such as the popular-price segment, compete strictly on price: consumers purchase whichever product is the cheapest. Manufacturers in this segment must focus on obtaining low-cost manufacturing. (Kumar, 2006)
该公司还与英国的时装零售商Next和法国合作，以扩大其当代的品种。法国品牌服装及衣着附件，自2010年秋季以来，英国风格的男人，妇女和儿童，西尔斯已在美国的独家下一页品牌服装，鞋类及配件的网上零售商自2011年春季以来的男人，妇女和儿童。 （库马尔，2006年）
大型零售商的力量是许多服装供应商和制造商的一大挑战。由于零售商缩减存货及订单需要时间，商品，制造商被迫承担更多的库存风险。此外，其庞大的规模将大零售商处于强势地位，与制造商有利的条款进行谈判，关于定价，航运，合作广告（零售商和制造商共享广告费用），以及产品标签。
消费者也超过服装及配饰品牌，拥有相当大的权力，因为他们可以随时切换到另一个从一个产品或品牌。为了阻止他们这样做，制造商试图提高品牌知名度和在消费者中建立品牌的忠诚度。通常，一个强大的品牌形象使制造商更灵活定价，通过创建一个“必须有”感知到消费者。当然，一些领域，如广受欢迎的价位段，严格价格竞争：消费者购买的产品是最便宜的。在这一领域的制造商必须专注于获得低成本的制造。 （库马尔，2006年）
