Here is a list of important abbreviations in the fashion business to know, so you don’t have to pretend knowing it when someone in the design department asks you for your “POM, BOM or UOM for your CNST”.
PLANNING AND DESIGN
USP – Unique Selling Point
CNST – Chain Stitch is a series of stitches that loop together like a chain
EGST – Edge Stitch is a series of stitches that loop together like a chain
TPST – Top Stitch is a decorative stitch on the top side of a product
GG – Gauge is the number of knit stitches per finished inch
CS – Cover Stitch is a double or triple needle stitch on one side and “zig zag” loops on the other
LS – Lock Stitch is the top thread and bottom thread locked together
DNTS – Double Needle Topstitch is a parallel stitch that is done on top of the product with a double needle
SNTS – Single Needle Topstitch is a finishing stitch done on the top of the product with a single needle
DN – Double Needle is stitch with a double needle
SN – Single Needle is a stitch with a single needle
BOM – Bill of materials is a part of your tech pack, a master list of every physical item required to create your finished product
UOM – Unit of measure is the type of measurement used for different items or parts of your product. Ex Unit
POM – Point of Measure is a specific point(s) on your product that are defined and used for measurement. Most often they’re measured on a flat product that is not on the body
CF – Center Front
CB – Center Back
A/H – Armhole
HPS – Highest Point Shoulder when the product is lay flat, not including the collar area
SS – Side Seam (S/O to Sole Slam)
CP – Crotch Point
TM – Total Measure
PRODUCTION
MOQ – Minimum Order Quantity
SMS – Salesman Sample
ODM – Original Design Manufacturing
OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturing
H/L – Handloom
OBM – Original Brand Manufacturing
SKU – Stock Keeping Unit (also used in logistics)
CAD – Computer Aided Design
QC – Quality Control
CMT – Cut, Make, Trim / Cut & Sew
FPP – Full Package Production
WIP – Work in progress/process
COO – Country of origin
S/O – Strike off is a printed artwork that the factory submits for approval
K/D – Knit Down is a knit fabric that the factory submits for knit structure design and layout approval
PROTO – Prototype design
PP – Pre-production sample
TOP – Top of production is a sample reference of the final product
SY – Sample Yardage
MARKETING
GWP – Gift with purchase (giveaway items when you purchase)
BNWT – Brand new with tags
BNIB – Brand new in box
OOTD – Outfit of the day
BNDS – Brand new deadstock (unworn)
VNDS – Very near deadstock (used a few times but still looks new)
BUSINESS
B2B – Business to business
B2C – Business to customers
C2C – Customers to customers
PB – Private Brand
PL – Private Label
KPI – Key Performance Index
RETAIL OPERATION
POP – Point of purchase
POS – Point of sale
AR – Augmented reality
VPT – Value per transaction
UPT – Unit per transaction
CRM – Customer relationship management
MATERIALS
PVA – Polyvinyl Alcohol
PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride
PTFE – Polytetrafluoroethylene
PU – Polyurethane
ELS – Extra long staple for cotton use
SALES/ACCOUNTING
CP – Cost price
GM – Gross Margin
CAGR – Compound annual growth rate
ROI – Return on investment
GP – Gross Profit
DOI – Days of inventory
VAT – Value added tax
CAO – Computer assisted ordering
OTB – Open to buy
LOGISTICS
RFID – Radio Frequency Identification
HTS CODE – Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes that are used to classify internationally traded goods. HTS codes are what determines the duty rates
GDS – Global data synchronization
EPC – Electronic product code
GTIN – Global trade item number
UPS – Universal product code
EAN – European article number
JAN – Japan article number
FOB – Free on board
FCA – Free carrier
C&F – Cost and freight
CIF – Cost insurance and freight
DDP – Delivered duty paid
DDU – Delivered duty unpaid
LDP – Landed duty paid
FF – Freight forwarder
FGP – Factory gate pricing is the pricing of the product available for pick up by the buyer at the factory
EBITDA – Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
DC – Distribution Center
ASN – Advanced shipping notice
VMI – Vendor managed inventory
If there are any key abbreviations you would like to add, add a comment down below.
Question of the day: What are the top 3 new abbreviations that you just learned today that you will be able to use?
December 16, 2020 Author Khel Lawrence
Some of the abbreviations are already common and is utilized with other industries. But for me, I new with BOM, H/L, and Proto. Out of the three, I think Proto will be the most useful for me since a prototype can refer to anything that is new or a draft.