Kobo Labs Research

Industry Insights & Research

Market reports, technology deep-dives, and regulatory analysis for fashion and consumer goods professionals.

The State of Fashion PLM Technology
Market Reports2026 Report18 min

The State of Fashion PLM Technology

Fashion PLM reaches $5.2B by 2033. Market analysis covering enterprise vs SMB adoption, AI integration, sustainability mandates, and vendor landscape.

Fashion Tech Adoption Report
Market Reports2026 Report14 min

Fashion Tech Adoption Report

How fashion brands are investing in technology, from AI-assisted design to supply chain digitisation. Adoption curves by company size and region.

Sustainable Fashion Technology Index
Market Reports2026 Report12 min

Sustainable Fashion Technology Index

Tracking the intersection of sustainability regulation and technology readiness across the global fashion industry.

The State of Fashion AI
Market Reports2026 Report14 min

The State of Fashion AI

Where artificial intelligence works in fashion, where it doesn't, and what the next two years look like. A category-by-category assessment.

Is Your Brand Ready for AI?
Market Reports2026 Report10 min

Is Your Brand Ready for AI?

A diagnostic framework identifying the 7 operational gaps holding back fashion brands from AI adoption - and the foundation you need before any of it works.

The Fashion Brand Tech Stack Report
Market Reports2026 Report12 min

The Fashion Brand Tech Stack Report

What tools fashion brands actually use at every stage of growth - and where the Illustrator-Excel-WhatsApp Frankenstack breaks.

The DPP Countdown
Regulation & Compliance2026 Report11 min

The DPP Countdown

Kōbō Labs maps the 16 data categories fashion brands need to prepare for the EU Digital Product Passport. Most brands have zero infrastructure for it. Here's exactly what you need.

The EU Digital Product Passport
Regulation & ComplianceEU Regulation13 min

The EU Digital Product Passport

What fashion brands need to know about the EU’s Digital Product Passport mandate: timeline, requirements, and how PLM helps you prepare.

Common questions

About Kōbō Labs research

What research does Kōbō Labs publish?

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Kōbō Labs publishes market reports, technology deep-dives and regulatory analysis for fashion and consumer goods professionals. Current reports cover the state of fashion PLM technology, fashion tech adoption, sustainable fashion technology, the state of fashion AI, AI readiness, the fashion brand tech stack, and the EU Digital Product Passport.

Is there research on how fashion brands adopt technology?

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Yes. Kōbō Labs' Fashion Tech Adoption Report tracks how fashion brands invest in technology, from AI-assisted design to supply chain digitisation, with adoption curves by company size and region. The Fashion Brand Tech Stack Report shows which tools brands actually use at every stage of growth, and where that stack breaks.

What does the EU Digital Product Passport mean for fashion brands?

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The DPP will become mandatory for textiles once the EU's textiles delegated act applies. The Commission plans to adopt that act in Q4 2027, with rules normally applying at least 18 months later. Kōbō Labs' DPP Countdown report maps the 16 data categories brands need to prepare, and finds most have zero infrastructure for them. A companion guide covers the mandate's timeline, its requirements and how PLM helps fashion brands prepare.

Why aren't fashion brands ready for AI?

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Kōbō Labs' AI readiness report identifies 7 operational gaps that hold fashion brands back from AI adoption, and argues the foundation has to come before any AI tool can work. The State of Fashion AI report then assesses, category by category, where AI works in fashion today and where it doesn't.

Can I cite Kōbō Labs research?

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Yes. You're welcome to quote and chart findings from any Kōbō Labs report. Please credit Kōbō Labs, include the report title and year, and link to the report page so readers can check the sources behind each figure. Every report includes a suggested citation you can copy.