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Apparel isn’t just another product, it’s personal. Whether it’s a long-awaited restock of a jacket someone planned to gift their partner or a carefully chosen outfit for an upcoming event, customers expect their orders to be accurate and on time.
In fact, 32% of customers would stop doing business with a brand they love after just one negative experience. To maintain customer loyalty and ensure timely order fulfilment, relying on spreadsheets, memory, or last-minute inventory checks simply isn’t enough.
What you need is a structured approach: an apparel order management software that helps you keep up with demand, manage stock efficiently, and ensure every order is processed without errors.
Now, as you go about looking for such an app for your Shopify store, you’ll find many options offering similar features. So, how do you choose?
This article will give you a breakdown of the top 5 order management software solutions for apparel businesses and a checklist to help you make the right choice.
Essential Features to Look For in Apparel Order Management Software
Before you invest in apparel order management software, here are some must-have features to look for
1. Inventory management
For apparel brands, managing inventory can be a huge challenge, especially with a wide range of sizes, styles, and seasonal trends. Running out of a best-selling item means lost sales while overstocking ties up cash and storage space.
In 2022, the total cost to US and Canadian retailers for overstocks and out-of-stocks was $349b in lost sales.
An apparel order management system eliminates these by providing real-time visibility across all SKUs, styles, and sizes. Instead of manually tracking stock, you get automated replenishment alerts before popular items sell out so that you never miss a sale. This precision is especially valuable during peak seasons like holiday shopping or fashion week launches, where demand patterns can change quickly.
2. Order processing and fulfillment
Manual order processing slows down fulfillment and increases errors. An apparel order management software automatically captures. verifies, and processes your incoming orders without human intervention. This minimizes errors and speeds up fulfillment.
Its integration with multiple sales channels allows you to manage orders from various platforms on one centralized dashboard. This improves order accuracy and workflow efficiency, reduces costs, and enables you to deliver faster to customers.
3. Reporting and analytics
Gut feelings don’t grow businesses, data does. The right reports and analytics help you make informed decisions, faster. Apparel trends change quickly and you need accurate forecasting abilities to dodge the risk of overstocking slow-moving items or running out of bestsellers. Instead of reacting to stock shortages or unsold inventory, you can predict demand and adjust before problems arise.
Customizable reports are also important to turn raw data into insights that matter to your business. You must be able to track sales trends, customer buying behavior, and inventory movement across all locations and channels in one place.
4. Integration capabilities
U.S. employees change through an average of 13 apps 30 times per day which makes them less efficient at work as per Asana’s 2023 report.
Juggling multiple tools slows down operations and increases costs. Transferring data between disconnected systems leads to delays, errors, and inefficient workflows.
A good apparel order management software integrates with ERP, CRM, accounting, and shipping tools to ensure real-time updates across platforms.
Most apps come with pre-built integrations for Shopify, QuickBooks, and Salesforce, reducing setup time and preventing compatibility issues. Also, ensure API access so that you can build custom workflows suited for your apparel business.
Top Apparel Order Management Software
With these must-have features in mind, we’ve picked out the five best apparel order management software you can choose from for your business.
1. Prediko
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At No.1, we have Prediko, an AI-powered inventory management and planning app built specifically for D2C businesses on Shopify. It’s ideal for apparel brands that need to balance stock across collections, manage seasonal drops, and optimize cash flow.
With its focus on simplifying all aspects of the supply chain, Prediko helps you maintain the right inventory levels, keeping bestsellers available and avoiding overstock of seasonal items.
Key Features
- 1-click Shopify integration: Syncs with your Shopify store instantly, connecting orders and inventory for complete visibility.
- AI-Demand Planning: Prediko’s AI, trained on over 25 million SKUs across 15+ industries, forecasts demand for the upcoming 12 months, breaking down your sales target by SKU, product, and category with precision.
- Replenishment Alerts: Receive automated out-of-stock, at-risk alerts along with buying recommendations on which apparel SKUs to reorder, when, and in what quantities—all based on the demand.
- Production Planning: If you have in-house apparel production, you can easily predict the requirements for raw materials (like fabrics and trims) based on your demand forecasts. Create BOMs to outline each step of the production process for better efficiency.
- Buying Table: Use an interactive, Airtable-style interface to plan your supply based on Prediko suggestions and generate purchase orders with a single click.
- Purchase Order (PO) Management: Easily create, track, and manage POs based on your Shopify orders. Communicate and collaborate with suppliers from within the app.
- Analytics & Reports: Access customizable inventory reports (CSV or PDF) with over 100+ filters, offering deep insights into stock health, sales trends, and future apparel needs.
Pricing
Based on annual revenue. Starts at $119/month for brands with $0K-$500K revenue. Learn more here.
2. NetSuite
NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP system that helps apparel businesses manage orders across multiple sales channels. It provides a centralized platform to track inventory, process orders, and handle fulfillment.
For brands dealing with seasonal demand and high return rates, NetSuite offers merchandise planning and returns management, linking returns to original orders for accurate inventory adjustments.
Key features
- Centralize orders from multiple sales channels
- Track stock across warehouses, stores, and online platforms
- Automate order routing, invoicing, and shipping
- Predict seasonal trends and manage reorders with a replenishment plan
- Handle returns by linking them to the original order for accurate inventory tracking
Pricing
You’ll have to contact their team to know the pricing.
3. Katana
Katana specializes in manufacturing and inventory management, making it a better fit for small to mid-sized apparel brands, especially those involved in made-to-order or custom production.
With the Stock screen, you get a clear view of your inventory in real-time. You can update stock levels, assign batches and serial numbers, adjust stock, and set up reorder points to never run out of popular items.
Key features
- Manage orders from multiple sales channels
- Generate POs automatically based on material requirements and set reorder points
- Shop floor control app to manage operations with task lists and real-time updates for production teams
- Automate production planning and allocate resources accordingly to fulfill custom or made-to-order deadlines
Pricing
Katana’s pricing starts at $179/month and goes up to $799/month (billed annually).
4. Cin7
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Cin7 is an inventory and order management solution that can help apparel businesses manage stock and order fulfillment across different sales channels.
It connects every part of the supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to tracking sales and restocking, ensuring smooth operations across multiple locations. With its integrations, including Shopify, Amazon, QuickBooks, and Xero, Cin7 allows brands to maintain accurate inventory data.
Key features
- Automated tracking, warehouse management, and stock transfers
- Manage supplier relationships and procurement with integrated supplier tools
- Automate restocking with AI demand forecasting and reorder automation
- Real-time insights into sales trends, inventory costs, profitability, etc
- QuickBooks and Xero integrations for payment and invoices
Pricing
Cin7 pricing starts at $349 per month and goes up to $999 per month.
5. EasyEcom
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EasyEcom is an inventory and order management platform that works well for apparel businesses operating across multiple sales channels.
It offers a central dashboard to track inventory movement, automate stock replenishment, and optimize supply chain operations. By integrating online and offline channels, EasyEcom ensures brands have 360-degree visibility, reducing errors and improving fulfillment efficiency.
Key features
- Real-time inventory tracking with visibility across warehouses, stores, and suppliers
- Sync inventory across all sales channels like Amazon, Shopify, and Flipkart
- AI-powered demand forecasting with integrated supplier management
- Predictive analysis with channel-wise sales trends
Pricing
You’ll have to contact their team to know the pricing.
6. Zoho Inventory
Zoho Inventory is designed to manage inventory operations for businesses of all sizes, from MSMEs to large-scale enterprises. It allows apparel stores to track stock levels, process orders, and expedite fulfillment across multiple sales channels.
Key features
- Sync inventory across Shopify, Amazon, and other sales channels in real-time
- Track stock with batch and serial numbers for sizes and colors
- Automate packing, generate shipping labels, and track deliveries
- Analytics including inventory aging, sales trends, and stock valuation
- Integration with Zoho Books, QuickBooks, and Xero
Pricing
Zoho’s pricing starts at $29 per month and goes up to $249 per month.
How to Choose Right Software for Your Business
Choosing the right software isn’t as simple. But with the right steps, you can choose the one that fits your bill.
Here’s how to do it
1. Assess your business needs
Choosing software without understanding your needs is like buying clothes without checking the size. The right apparel order management software depends on your business model, order volume, and existing tools.
Start by mapping out daily operations. Identify bottlenecks, repetitive tasks, and areas where manual work slows things down. A software should solve real problems, not add complexity.
Key factors to evaluate:
- Inventory management: Does it offer real-time stock tracking and replenishment alerts?
- Order processing: Can it handle multi-channel orders efficiently?
- Integrations: Does it connect with your ERP, CRM, or accounting software?
- Scalability: Will it support future growth without frequent upgrades?
A clear checklist of must-have features makes decision-making easier. Without it, it’s easy to end up with software that’s either too complex or too limited.
2. Consider budget and ROI
Price alone doesn’t determine value. Cheaper software can lack important features, while expensive solutions may include features you don’t need. The right system balances costs with long-term benefits.
Look beyond the upfront price
- Subscription vs. one-time cost: Does the pricing model align with your budget?
- Feature limitations: Are critical features locked behind higher pricing tiers?
- Implementation costs: Will setup, training, or integrations add extra expenses?
- Scalability: Will future growth require costly upgrades?
ROI matters just as much as cost. Software that reduces manual work, minimizes errors and improves efficiency pays for itself over time. Instead of focusing only on the price tag, consider how much time and money it saves in the long run.
3. Evaluate vendor support and training
Even the best software is useless without proper support. Delays in resolving issues can disrupt operations, and a lack of training can leave teams struggling to use key features.
Support should be accessible and responsive. A vendor offering 24/7 live chat, email, or phone support is far more reliable than one with limited hours or slow response times. Checking reviews and real user experience on G2 and Shopify App Store helps understand how well a vendor handles customer concerns.
Training is just as important. Some platforms come with detailed onboarding, video tutorials, and knowledge bases, while others leave users to figure things out on their own. If the system is complex, live training sessions or dedicated account managers can make adoption easier.
4. Check customization and flexibility
The software should fit your business, not the other way around. If workflows are rigid, efficiency takes a hit. An apparel order management software with configurable dashboards, automated workflows, and custom reporting makes daily operations smoother.
Some platforms allow easy modifications with settings, while others require coding for even minor changes. Knowing how much flexibility you have upfront prevents roadblocks later.
Now, as order volumes increase or new sales channels open, the software should also scale without expensive upgrades or complex workarounds. A tool that grows with you saves time and money down the line.
5. Test with a free trial or a demo
A trial or demo is a good way to see if a system actually works as claimed. Features may sound great in theory, but hands-on testing reveals if they truly improve your workflows.
Start with everyday tasks. How easy is it to process an order, update inventory, or generate reports?
If something feels clunky during trial, it won’t get better with long-term use. If navigating the system is frustrating, adoption will be slow, and productivity will take a hit. A trial isn’t just about checking features, it’s about making sure the software fits seamlessly into daily operations.
Future Trends in Apparel Order Management
Now that you understand the impact of an order management software solution for apparel businesses, let’s explore what’s next. Here are some key trends shaping the future of apparel order management:
1. Sustainable inventory planning
Sustainable inventory planning means keeping stock levels balanced and meeting demand without creating unnecessary waste, which is also good for the environment as you produce only what’s needed.
Shoppers are also paying attention. A 2024 PwC survey found that consumers are willing to spend 9.7% more on sustainably sourced products, making it important for apparel brands to choose their raw materials and suppliers carefully.
And with the right tools, you can make sustainable inventory planning easier.
Prediko helps you track inventory health in real time, offering live purchase order recommendations, inventory restock alerts, and reports on which products are at risk of stockouts or overstocking. Instead of reacting to inventory issues at the last minute, you get clear insights to adjust purchasing and production decisions before waste becomes a problem.
2. Frictionless Shopify integration
Who doesn’t like convenience? More businesses are moving towards plug-and-play Shopify integrations that don’t come with the complexities of traditional ERP systems. Managing inventory, orders, and analytics shouldn’t require lengthy setups or technical expertise, and more platforms are recognizing that.
This shift makes scaling easier. Instead of spending months integrating a rigid ERP, businesses can quickly connect their systems and start selling. With faster setup, lower costs, and fewer technical headaches, frictionless Shopify integration is also becoming a standard, not an exception.
Prediko deeply integrates with Shopify and automatically pulls all your sales and inventory data to help you make educated planning, purchasing, and restocking decisions.
3. Automated fulfillment & micro-warehousing
74% of online shoppers expect their orders to be delivered the next day. To meet these high expectations, many businesses are turning to automated fulfillment and micro-warehousing solutions.
A 2024 Duke University study revealed that almost 60% of businesses have already implemented automated solutions to handle different aspects of their business.
Automated fulfillment centers use technology to process orders with minimal human intervention, reducing errors and speeding up delivery times. Micro-warehousing involves setting up small, strategically located warehouses closer to customers, which helps in cutting down delivery times and costs.
4. Omnichannel order sync
Imagine a customer orders a dress online, expecting it to be ready for in-store pickup. When they arrive, the dress is not available as the store’s inventory hasn’t been updated to reflect the online order. This mismatch between channels leads to customer frustration and missed sales opportunities.,
That’s where omnichannel order synchronization comes in. By integrating inventory management and order processing across all your platforms, you can ensure that stock levels stay accurate, orders are fulfilled efficiently, and customers get what they expect, whether they’re shopping online, in-store, or through any other sales channel.
Fulfill Orders Like a Pro with the Right Apparel Order Management Software
Bravo! You’ve made the right decision to invest in apparel order management software. Now, look for essential features including inventory management, order processing, reporting, and integrations.
Evaluate the tools mentioned in this article and see which one is suitable for your business. To make a choice, assess your business needs, consider budget and ROI, evaluate vendor support and training, check customizations, and test with a free trial.
Don’t forget to look out for future trends in apparel order management like sustainable inventory planning and automated fulfillment.
Prediko is a powerful order management software solution for apparel businesses that offers multi-channel order sync, AI-driven demand forecasting, automated replenishment alerts, and seamless Shopify integration to help you fulfill customer orders at a lightning-fast speed.
