Apparel, Clothing and Footwear

Apparel and footwear was among the industries worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine further disrupts the world’s economy, fashion players are now in a race to adapt to an increasingly uncertain environment. Those…

Automatic laundry can only expand if efficient cold wash is achieved. All laundry stakeholders need to be in sync with one another in order to create effective solutions. Beyond collaboration, auto-dosing enables improved hygiene results in cold wash…

Generation Z, comprising one-fifth of the global population, is poised to wield significant consumer influence. However, their polarized behaviours toward social activism, technology, and spending present challenges for businesses. This report…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence among the key economies remains. Supply chain and commodities markets disruptions remain the key risks for…

In 2023, a notable rise in social activities was observed, particularly with an increase in the number of women venturing out for work, which contributed to a significant surge in their spending on business attire, thereby fostering the growth of…

The demand for sportswear experienced a substantial surge in the post-COVID-19 era, driven by a shift in consumer preference towards adopting a healthier and fitness-oriented lifestyle in India. This transformation is evident in the growing emphasis…

Menswear witnessed substantial double-digit current value growth in 2023, marking a continued strong rebound from the pre-pandemic downturn. In contrast to the previous year, which was characterised by festive purchasing and stockpiling, the…

Premium men’s jeans, and particularly premium women’s jeans, experienced robust value growth in 2023. The surge in demand can be attributed to a shift in consumer preference towards investing in high-quality jeans that offer durability and longevity.…

In 2023, domestic travel in India witnessed remarkable growth of 56%, reflecting a significant increase in the number of people spending time away from their homes. This surge in travel activities, in turn, contributed to a higher retail volume…

In a rebound from the strong decline seen in 2020 due to COVID-19, the footwear category in India has been seeing significant growth, and recovered to the 2019 level of value sales in 2023. Post-COVID-19, consumer spending on footwear increased after…

Childrenswear has been experiencing a notable surge in sales, fuelled by younger parents’ changing preferences and spending habits. With the rise of dual-income households, these parents possess more significant disposable incomes, enabling them to…

India’s distinction as having one of the youngest populations globally provides a significant advantage, particularly when it comes to fashion. With a substantial proportion of the population belonging to younger age groups, the country boasts a…

After experiencing a rapid surge in growth during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trajectory of apparel accessories underwent a significant shift in 2022 and 2023. The demand for face masks, a pivotal component of the category…

Womenswear in Nigeria recorded a strong decline in volume sales in 2023 due to the challenging economic conditions in the country, with value growth being largely due to significant price increases. High inflation limited consumer spending power…

Demand for sportswear was negatively impacted by the weak economy in 2023, which was caused by high inflation which weakened consumer spending power as the cost of living rose. Although the category registered healthy growth in current value terms in…

The challenging economic conditions in Nigeria in 2023 led to a strong decline in retail volume terms for menswear during the year. In particular, high inflation limited consumer purchasing power. An increase in unemployment and weak spending power…

Sales of jeans saw a double-digit decline in retail volume terms in 2023 due to the challenging economic conditions. In particular, the high inflation being seen in Nigeria placed limits on consumer spending power. Inflation was driven by the…

Sales of hosiery slumped in retail volume terms in 2023 as the challenging economic conditions in Nigeria put pressure on disposable income. With high inflation limiting consumer spending power consumers were forced to become more frugal and to focus…

Sales of footwear in Nigeria recorded a steep decline in retail volume terms in 2023, following the general pattern being seen across the apparel industry. This decline was due to the challenging economic conditions in the country with soaring…

Childrenswear saw a strong decline in retail volume terms in 2023 as demand fell due to consumers struggling to manage their finances as soaring inflation impacted the market. The inflationary conditions were driven primarily by the depreciation of…

Overall, retail sales of apparel and footwear in Nigeria saw a strong decline in volume terms in 2023 while price inflation ensured sales continued to grow in current value terms. High inflationary conditions limited consumer spending power, forcing…

Apparel accessories reported a steep decline in sales in retail volume terms in 2023 due to a weak economy, high inflation, and reduced consumer spending power. Since many customers see apparel accessories as non-essential products, the category…

Technological advances in 2024 will continue to reshape consumer behaviour. This annual report explores the top five digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this report’s edition…

In 2023, Brazil found itself at a crucial economic juncture, emerging from the shadows of the pandemic’s economic downturn. The country experienced a reduction in inflation after grappling with the economic fallout of the pandemic, offering a glimmer…

In 2023, Brazil emerged as a beacon of recovery after the tumultuous period marked by the global pandemic. The economic landscape of the country witnessed a transformative shift as it navigated the challenges of the post-pandemic era. The first year…

In 2023, Brazil found itself at a crossroads of economic recovery and lingering challenges. After grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic, economic perspectives have brightened, and inflation has somewhat stabilised. However, the path to…

In the dynamic landscape of the Brazilian apparel and footwear industry in 2023, jeans was one category that stood out for its remarkable resilience against the uncertainties and challenges that have marked the economic trajectory of the country.…

In 2023, the hosiery category in Brazil proved resilient, as this is a fundamental and enduring investment, and a staple in the everyday wardrobe of the Brazilian population. This significance became even more apparent in the wake of the pandemic, as…

In 2023, Brazil experienced a challenging economic landscape, shaped by the lingering impacts of the global economic crisis and the ominous shadow of high inflation. A continued surge in footwear prices due to the economic downturn, fuelled by…

As Brazil navigated the economic landscape in 2023, the nation was at a turning point of recovery and resilience. While inflation presented new prospects of stabilisation, optimism for the future was limited by the effects of the pandemic and global…

In 2023, apparel and footwear in Brazil navigated a complex landscape, shaped by the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic. As the first official year post-pandemic, the nation saw a resurgence in socialisation and a desire for a return to…

In 2023, apparel accessories in Brazil saw commendable performances across various categories, especially belts and hats/caps. These accessories, representing a diverse range of styles and trends, contributed significantly to the overall fashion…

In a time of uncertainty, brands must ensure that the value proposition provided by their loyalty schemes is firmly aligned with customer needs, priorities and expectations, continuously refined and adapted to withstand disruption and changing market…

After decades of low inflation, consumers are grappling with rising living costs, prompting shifts in priorities and preferences. This report delves into four major consumer goods industries – apparel, beauty and personal care, drinks, and food – to…

Global inflation continues impacting the apparel and footwear industries. Rising production costs, driven by increased prices of raw materials and transportation, have led to higher retail prices. This inflationary pressure is straining purchasing…

After a challenging end to 2022, when the holiday sales season’s underwhelming results left retailers apprehensive for the year ahead, 2023 started on a more positive note in womenswear. German consumers took a conservative approach to…

Sportswear in Germany had a shy start to 2023, after the last quarter of 2022, when consumer confidence was at a record low. Despite initial pessimism about the economy in 2023, given the spike in energy prices, winter was less rigorous than…

After seeing slow volume growth and exceptional current value growth in 2022, menswear is set to turn to volume decline in 2023, and much slower, although still significant, current value growth, largely driven by high inflation. In value terms,…

Levi Strauss Germany is set to maintain its leading position in both men’s and women's premium jeans in Germany in 2023, and stores have seen a consistently positive business performance. Levi’s enjoys long-time brand recognition amongst consumers,…

In 2023, hosiery in Germany has continued experiencing a shift in consumer behaviour, which started along with the reopening of businesses. Given the return to events outside of the home, such as socialising, travel, and office work, sheer hosiery is…

After seeing close to double-digit current value growth in 2022, footwear has been facing challenges in Germany in 2023, and growth is set to slow. Several insolvencies have been filed in 2023 – an increase compared with the year before –…

Childrenswear in Germany is expected to continue to see current value growth in 2023, given the high inflation rate and resultant price increases. Nevertheless, volume sales are set to decline, reflecting the cost-of-living crisis and low consumer…

In Germany, inflation and interest rates have remained high in 2023, and real GDP has remained relatively flat, negatively affecting consumer spending and demand for non-essential goods such as fashion items. Despite the expectation of an increase…

Volume demand for apparel accessories is expected to see a notable decline in 2023, demonstrating a shift in behaviour from German shoppers. Although the pandemic is over, changes in consumer behaviour have remained. The need for apparel accessories…

In 2023, the release of the Barbie film in the middle of the year had an astounding impact on womenswear, giving rise to the “Barbiecore” trend, whereby enthusiasts sought to emulate the iconic dolls’ outfits and colour palettes. This trend endured…

In 2022, buoyed by post-pandemic recovery optimism, sportswear giants such as adidas and Nike significantly ramped up their import volumes. However, by 2023, the import volumes for these two brands were seeing a sharp decline, especially when…

The landscape of men’s fashion has undergone notable changes in response to evolving workplace dynamics. Initially, the pandemic fostered a shift towards hybrid work models, allowing men to embrace less formal attire. The smart-casual style, blending…

Jeans is set to experience near statis in volume sales in Mexico in 2023, following a pronounced rebound during 2021 and 2022, when post-pandemic trends favoured more casual styles, particularly for workplace attire. In anticipation of a full return…

After the post-pandemic years, a shift back towards more formal attire in the workplace has been emerging in 2023, despite the persistence of hybrid work models. While many employees continue to work remotely for part of the week, the days spent in…

The year 2023 has marked a period of robust value growth for Mexican companies, yet the national footwear industry faces critical economic challenges that threaten its progress. A key concern is labour shortages, as the younger workforce is exploring…