Amazon Wins Patent for On-Demand Clothing Manufacturing System

Amazon.com was awarded a patent on Tuesday for an on-demand manufacturing system. The computerized system is designed to quickly produce clothing and other products only after a customer has placed an order. To increase efficiency, the goods would be manufactured in batches based on factors such a shipping addresses, the patent said. The inventors of the patent said the system could work well for categories like clothing, footwear, bedding, curtains and towels, and use materials such as leather, plastic, paper and rubber.

Total Retail’s Take: This patent is another sign that Amazon is continuing its push into the apparel business. Amazon currently has eight company-owned clothing brands and a huge apparel selection on its marketplace, but it has plans for more. The e-commerce giant has its sights set on becoming a major playing in the fashion space, and this on-demand manufacturing system may help it get there.