US apparel spending will continue to fall in 2019, but a rebound will follow in 2021, according to ‘The Future of Apparel’, a new report from The NPD Group forecasting growth and declines across key apparel categories.

Sweats, swimwear, sleepwear and dresses are projected to be the primary sources of industry growth over the next two years. 

“The future success of the apparel industry will rely on categories that act active but look fashion,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor, The NPD Group. 

“Consumers are craving fashion but don’t want to sacrifice the comfort and convenience of activewear that they’ve grown accustomed to,” a press release from the company quoted Cohen as saying. 

Men’s and women’s sweatshirts spur growth in the active category and the blurred lines around the definition of loungewear benefit sleepwear sales. According to NPD’s Consumer Tracking Service, in the 12 months ending May 2019, total sales of sweats and active bottoms, including adults’ and kids’ products, grew by 8 per cent to $23.6 billion, and sleepwear sales increased by 2 per cent to $7.8 billion. 

While recent performance has not been as strong as that of sweats and sleepwear, dresses and swimwear will look to innovation to drive future growth. Dresses have experienced a 3 per cent decline to just under $15 billion, but women’s athletic dresses are expected to offset these declines over the next two years. 

Sales in the swimwear category declined by 4 per cent to $5.8 billion over the past 12 months, due in part to the late arrival of summer temperatures across the United States. 

Published On : 19-07-2019

Source : Fibre 2 Fashion