Core Insights - Xiamen has developed a complete industrial chain in the e-commerce apparel processing sector, supported by numerous small and medium-sized garment factories that provide comprehensive services from fabric procurement to finished product manufacturing [1] Group 1: Supply Chain Advantages - Xiamen is surrounded by multiple textile fabric markets, facilitating quick procurement of common fabrics such as cotton, linen, and chemical fibers for processing factories [3] - The local logistics system is mature, enabling rapid delivery of finished products to major e-commerce warehouses nationwide [3] - Some factories adopt a "small order quick response" model, completing small batch production of fewer than 500 pieces within 3-5 days, catering to e-commerce platforms' needs for testing products [3] Group 2: Common Cooperation Models - **Processing with Supplied Materials**: E-commerce platforms provide design drafts and fabrics, while factories handle cutting and sewing, charging processing fees ranging from 5 to 15 yuan per piece [4] - **Turnkey Production**: Factories autonomously procure materials based on client needs, with quotes typically including material costs and processing fees, suitable for small sellers with weaker supply chain control [4] - **ODM Cooperation**: Factories offer ready-made samples for clients to select, allowing for quick modifications and direct mass production, thus shortening the new product launch cycle [5] Group 3: Cost Structure Example - For a standard cotton T-shirt, the cost breakdown is as follows: - Fabric cost: approximately 8-12 yuan - Cutting and sewing labor cost: 3-5 yuan - Accessories (buttons/labels, etc.): 1-2 yuan - Packaging and transportation cost: 2-3 yuan - The total cost typically ranges from 15 to 25 yuan, depending on the complexity of the craftsmanship, with some factories requiring a minimum order quantity of 300 pieces [6][8][10] Group 4: Quality Control Points - E-commerce apparel processing generally employs QC inspection processes, with formal factories maintaining quality inspection records, while some small workshops may lack a complete system [10] Group 5: Industry Development Trends - Recent trends include specialization in certain segments: - Factories focusing on knitted products have introduced computerized flat knitting machines to enhance efficiency [10] - Some enterprises are transitioning to flexible supply chains, supporting minimum orders of 100 pieces [10] - Quality control steps include: - Pre-production confirmation of sample sizes and processes - Inspection of fabric defects during cutting - Random checks of semi-finished products during sewing - Full inspection of finished products for details like color differences and loose threads [10] - Factories are collaborating with design studios to develop proprietary pattern libraries [10] - There is a notable disparity in capabilities among processing factories in Xiamen, with larger factories having complete equipment but higher order thresholds, while smaller workshops are more flexible but may have unstable quality control [11] - Overall, Xiamen's e-commerce apparel processing industry has formed a regional agglomeration effect, capable of meeting diverse demands from low-end volume to mid-range quality [11]