Sports Clothing Industry
7. Sports Clothing
INTRODUCTION
While this section evaluates the sports clothing market, it is impossible not to include sportswear items bought to wear for leisure, not just for active participation.
The sportswear ranges cover numerous sports and outdoor activities, but the main ranges were originally designed for the following sports:
•athletics training (tracksuits, shell suits, shorts, warm-up tops)•outdoor sports (jackets, fleeces)•football (tracksuits, replica kits)•racquet sports (polo-style shirts)•skiing, snowboarding and boarding/extreme sports (full range of clothing)•golf (branded knitwear)•rugby (shirts).KEY TRENDS
The sportswear boom of the 1980s was originally construed as a passing fad, but, ultimately, it had a profound influence on the general clothing business. The `leisurewear' category that emerged in the late 1980s comprised mainly garments which were originally designed for sports pursuits, even if those buying them used them simply to relax in at home.
Inevitably, the rapid growth period eased off, so that the sports' share of all clothing stabilised at around 10% in the mid-1990s. It then declined to around 9% under pressure from discounting.
Table 7.1: Sports Clothing as a Percentage of the
Total Clothing Market (�m at rsp and %), 1997-2001
% Change
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 1997-2001
Sports clothing 2,500 2,625 2,550 2,600 2,750 10.0 Total clothing
market 26,500 27,799 29,168 30,122 31,650 19.4
Sports clothing
as a % of total
clothing market 9.4 9.4 8.7 8.6 8.7
Note: includes all sportswear bought, whether for participation or as casual apparel Source: Key Note
Manufacturers have generally adapted to the demand for `sporty leisurewear'
INTRODUCTION
While this section evaluates the sports clothing market, it is impossible not to include sportswear items bought to wear for leisure, not just for active participation.
The sportswear ranges cover numerous sports and outdoor activities, but the main ranges were originally designed for the following sports:
•athletics training (tracksuits, shell suits, shorts, warm-up tops)•outdoor sports (jackets, fleeces)•football (tracksuits, replica kits)•racquet sports (polo-style shirts)•skiing, snowboarding and boarding/extreme sports (full range of clothing)•golf (branded knitwear)•rugby (shirts).KEY TRENDS
The sportswear boom of the 1980s was originally construed as a passing fad, but, ultimately, it had a profound influence on the general clothing business. The `leisurewear' category that emerged in the late 1980s comprised mainly garments which were originally designed for sports pursuits, even if those buying them used them simply to relax in at home.
Inevitably, the rapid growth period eased off, so that the sports' share of all clothing stabilised at around 10% in the mid-1990s. It then declined to around 9% under pressure from discounting.
Table 7.1: Sports Clothing as a Percentage of the
Total Clothing Market (�m at rsp and %), 1997-2001
% Change
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 1997-2001
Sports clothing 2,500 2,625 2,550 2,600 2,750 10.0 Total clothing
market 26,500 27,799 29,168 30,122 31,650 19.4
Sports clothing
as a % of total
clothing market 9.4 9.4 8.7 8.6 8.7
Note: includes all sportswear bought, whether for participation or as casual apparel Source: Key Note
Manufacturers have generally adapted to the demand for `sporty leisurewear'