In the textile industry, what does the term 'sourcing' refer to?

The term 'sourcing' in the textile industry primarily refers to the process of locating materials or finished products needed for production. This entails identifying suppliers who provide various textiles, fibers, or ready-made items necessary for creating garments and other textile goods. Efficient sourcing is crucial for manufacturers to ensure they have the right quality, quantity, and cost of materials to meet their production needs and maintain profitability.

In the context of this question, while finding new designers, distributing products, and creating textile designs are all important aspects of the textile and fashion industries, they do not capture the essence of sourcing as it specifically relates to the procurement of materials and resources essential for the manufacturing process.