Apparel, Clothing and Footwear

Womenswear witnessed a decrease in volume sales in 2023, with retailers hit hard in the first quarter of 2023 as prices soared. The devaluation of the Egyptian pound in December 2022 led to a sharp slowdown in the economy, as input costs skyrocketed.…

Sales of women’s apparel are expected to maintain a stable, positive growth trajectory in 2023. Although growth may slightly lag behind the previous year, factors such as inflation, price increases, favourable weather, and a return to workplaces are…

In 2023, womenswear in the UK is grappling with the multifaceted challenges posed by inflation and a cost-of-living crisis, significantly impacting discretionary spending patterns. As inflation rates rise, the overall cost of goods and services…

As was the case throughout the review period, brands from womenswear, menswear and childrenswear have continued to enter apparel accessories and add more products to their established portfolios in the category in 2023. Argentina’s entrenched…

Given the economic uncertainty at the end of the review period, Austrian consumers purchased fewer apparel accessories. While the boom in fashion face masks (“other” apparel accessories) ensured a positive retail volume growth performance overall in…

A post-COVID-19 return to business travel and events such as christenings and weddings benefited apparel accessories in 2023, with a notable increase in volume sales of ties. Belts, too, are benefiting from a return to office work and socialising and…

The overall landscape of apparel accessories in Morocco experienced a moderate decline in 2023, largely attributed to the sharp decrease in face mask sales. The return to pre-pandemic routines, marked by the complete lifting of restrictions in 2022,…

Recent fashion aesthetics like 'Old Money' and 'Quiet Luxury' have spurred a surge in demand for classic accessories such as hats/berets, belts, and silk scarves. In 2023, these categories exhibited substantial growth rates, reflecting the evolving…

Total current value sales growth for apparel and footwear in Argentina in 2023 is set to surpass that recorded in 2022. However, this is solely because the country’s entrenched problems with high inflation have recently been greatly exacerbated by…

After two challenging years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the recovery of apparel and footwear started in earnest in 2022, but retail volume sales did not return to the 2019 level. On the other hand, high inflationary pressure on…

Inflation and the cost of living crisis affected the performance of apparel and footwear in Greece in 2023, with price increases resulting in substantial current value growth across all categories. Volume sales increased, too, post-COVID-19; however,…

The end of the review period witnessed an unprecedented surge in commodity prices, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This surge, coupled with the national economy grappling with a slowdown due to drought and inflation, resulted in…

The prevailing inflationary pressures in Poland have wielded a substantial influence over apparel and footwear in 2023. Escalating living costs have prompted a gradual shift among Polish consumers towards more affordable brands and private label. As…

US childrenswear firm Carter's Inc recently began producing its Carter's and OshKosh brands at a facility in Argentina’s La Rioja province. Focused on garments such as t-shirts and leggings, this factory is the company’s first in Latin America and…

Purchasers of childrenswear focused on quality and less at quantity as they became more mindful of personal finances and textile waste. Still high inflation in 2023 translated into retail current value growth, despite the decline in retail volume…

Within apparel and footwear, childrenswear was the least affected by COVID-19 and lockdowns, so the high growth recovery rates seen in apparel for adults are not as evident in childrenswear in 2023. Widespread and ongoing economic uncertainty is…

Decreasing birth rates, largely influenced by post-pandemic economic repercussions, led to a weakened market for baby and toddler wear. The postponement of childbearing due to economic uncertainty, reduced marriages, and increased celibacy, driven by…

Over recent years, second-hand shopping gained global traction, primarily among Gen Z. This trend has now transcended demographics, notably appealing to parents of small children. With Poland's ongoing cost of living crisis and the rapid growth of…

A large proportion of footwear sold in Argentina is manufactured domestically using imported raw materials. This is particularly the case with sports footwear from leading international brands. For example, the Brazilian Grupo Dass manufactures…

Footwear has been under particular stress with the shift from traditional leather shoes to other materials and sports shoes for many years. In particularly, children’s footwear has been under pressure, and it is projected to see the biggest decline…

Discounting activities have been gathering pace in footwear as players deploy this strategy to clear out accumulated stock gathered during the pandemic, and to mitigate declines in volume sales as a result of inflationary pressures which are…

The surge in sports participation among various age groups and genders in Morocco has notably impacted footwear sales in 2023. With an increased focus on health and wellness, evidenced by the rise in gyms, walking tracks, and outdoor fitness…

The ongoing fluctuations in global temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns have instigated notable shifts in consumer behaviour. With the occurrence of an unusually cold spring and warm autumn in 2023, Polish consumers have adjusted their…

Retail sales of hosiery in Argentina have historically been concentrated in specialist stores. This is particularly the case with sheer hosiery items, which are mainly sold in outlets that also offer underwear, swimwear and nightwear. Similarly,…

Hosiery slowed down in Austria in 2023 in comparison with 2022, as the cost of living crisis instilled caution over spending among consumers. Additionally, consumers purchased more hosiery in 2022, after two years of reduced demand due to the…

Extremely high inflation levels, resulting in price increases across most consumer goods, have directly impacted household purchasing power and led to changes in consumer behaviour. Within hosiery, consumers have become more price-sensitive,…

Hosiery purchases in Morocco continue to reflect low brand loyalty, primarily occurring as incidental buys during other shopping trips. The prevailing difficult economic conditions have severely constrained consumer finances, prompting a…

Economic dynamics, notably high inflation and escalating living costs have fuelled a greater emphasis among consumers in Poland on price-consciousness. This inclination has driven a significant demand for cost-effective yet high-quality hosiery…

While the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades is the main reason jeans is set to record a steep decline in retail volume terms in 2023, it also continues to be more exposed to the growing willingness of Argentinians to purchase second-hand clothes…

Men’s jeans and women’s jeans are projected to see retail volume sales decline across price segments over 2023. In Austria, the purchase of new jeans was not a priority at the end of the review period, with many consumers already owing one or more…

The lifting of pandemic restrictions has boosted sales of Jeans in Greece in 2023, while unusually low temperatures in May and June prolonged the jeans-wearing season (usually, sales begin to decline in mid-spring, when local consumers switch to…

Tough economic conditions have led consumers to favour more affordable yet quality jeans, resulting in increased demand for economy and standard jeans. Standard jeans are preferred for their affordability, while economy jeans, especially favoured by…

Circular fashion, a sustainable approach encompassing recycling, upcycling, and extending the lifespan of jeans through repair and resale, stands at the forefront of the fashion industry's movement towards reducing waste and environmental impact.…

Fashion styles and workplace dress codes for men in Argentina have been becoming more casual for several years. This trend has recently been reinforced by changes brought about by COVID-19, most notably the wider adoption of remote/hybrid work…

As in womenswear, retail volume sales of menswear are projected to decline over 2023, as the category stabilised following rebounds, especially in 2022, from the Coronavirus (COVID-19)-induced slump in 2020. Moreover, economic uncertainty amid high…

The impact of hikes in production and transport costs is leading to price increases across menswear in Greece, which was visible in mid-2022 and continues to influence category performance in 2023. Amid the cost of living crisis, which is taking its…

Increasing price-sensitivity among male consumers led to a notable shift in preferences towards more affordable clothing options, particularly in economy clothing. This trend was further accentuated by the rise in customs duties on imported textile…

In 2023, outbound tourism from Poland expanded significantly, while domestic tourism witnessed double-digit growth, significantly contributing to the increased demand for men's swimwear. The rise in international and domestic travel has spurred a…

Import restrictions and capital controls have driven a number of international sportswear brands to withdraw from Argentina in recent years. Several of those that continue trading in the country meanwhile have attempted to mitigate the challenges…

Sportswear in Austria is starting to show signs of saturation after an excellent recovery from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Many consumers purchased sportswear/athleisure for comfort and ease during long periods at home in the wake of…

Although inflation is beginning to ease in 2023, average unit prices remain high, and local consumers have been forced to reduce spending on non-essential items, including apparel and footwear. Many consumers are trading down to cheaper brands of…

The national team's World Cup success significantly boosted sales of national football t-shirts among both locals and tourists, attributing to impressive growth. Meanwhile, BD Morocco's collaboration with athlete Hadi Laabi for brand promotion…

Despite Poland's sustained high inflation in 2023, the prices for sports and sports-inspired clothing continued their upward trajectory, albeit at a slower pace than in 2022. Consequently, sportswear experienced significant sales growth in value…

Womenswear in Argentina has long been dominated by domestic companies, with international players having a relatively limited presence in the category. Despite the most severe cost-of-living crisis in a generation, premium domestic brands that…

Retail volume sales of womenswear are projected to fall over 2023. This is partly due to stabilisation following two years of rebound, especially in 2022, from the slump recorded during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. However, demand has…

A mild winter in 2023 led to only modest volume growth for product areas such as jackets and coats and jumpers. However, temperatures were unusually low in late spring, with the summer season starting later than usual. This impacted sales of summer…

In response to Morocco's hot climate, loose trousers, loose tops, and dresses have surged in popularity. Dresses, especially, have seen significant growth as they cater to both conservative and less conservative women. This trend aligns with a…

As inflation in Poland continues to outpace the EU average, many Polish consumers are curtailing their expenditure on non-essential items like apparel. They are opting for more affordable brands, private label, and second-hand items. Women's wear…

In the context of climate crisis, shifting regulation and high inflation leading consumers to rethink their fashion spend, fashion and luxury market players need to review their operations to minimise their negative impact while helping to build…

2023 saw dips in demand for scarves, hats, gloves and similar items of winter apparel as several factors undermined the willingness of consumers to spend money on such items. The most important influence on waning demand for warm scarves, hats and…