Abstract
There is concern about the impact of automation on employment. It is agreed that jobs comprised of repetitive codifiable tasks are at greatest risk. The apparel industry has been strategic in economic development as an entry point into global markets and as a creator of jobs. Although routine work characterizes the bulk of employment in apparel manufacturing, the penetration of automation technologies remains limited. This paper offers new insights from interviews with leading apparel brands about the current and projected use of technology, highlighting practical bottlenecks and discussing potential implications for the global distribution of production and employment.