Apparel, Clothing and Footwear

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 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…

Films targeted towards children, or those featuring iconic childhood characters, significantly influence childrenswear trends. Licensing has always been essential to boost sales in this category, especially with the regular release of children’s…

In 2023, categories within apparel and footwear in Mexico are set to experience diverse trajectories in terms of current value growth. While the overall trend is expected to be positive, apparel accessories is anticipated to continue to see a…

In the evolving world of fashion, current trends indicate a notable shift away from apparel accessories, underscoring a preference for a more casual and minimalistic aesthetic. Modern dress styles increasingly favour elements such as jewellery,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

While in 2023, current value and retail volume growth of womenswear has not reached the impressive double-digit figures recorded in 2021 (resulting in a full recovery to pre-pandemic sales levels, following a notable drop in 2020 as a result of…

Sportswear is the standout performer in Chilean apparel and footwear in terms of current value growth in 2023. While inflationary pressures have subdued demand for many apparel categories in general, sportswear’s growth remains positive due to the…

Menswear continues to exhibited a notable slowdown in both value and retail volume growth in 2023 compared to 2022. This is in contrast to womenswear, which is demonstrating more robust expansion. Nevertheless, certain product categories such as…

While demand for jeans continues to rise in 2023, value sales growth is more moderate, driven by the economy segment in Chile, and in particular, economy women's jeans, with the latter continuing to record remarkable double-digit retail volume…

Hosiery, driven mainly by the non-sheer segment, has found itself in a challenging situation with weakening retail volume sales. Simultaneously, overall value is recording minimal growth. The stagnation in value and reduction in volume can be…

Despite a weak performance in terms of retail volume sales in 2023, footwear in Chile is demonstrating robust current value growth, primarily driven by the men’s and women’s segments. Notably, a proportion of this growth can be attributed to price…

Childrenswear continues to experience a decline in value sales in 2023, a pattern consistent with the preceding year, and it remains one of the most heavily impacted categories within the broader apparel and footwear industry in the country. This…

Both retail value and volume growth of apparel and footwear in Chile continues to notably slow following 2021’s highs. During that year, strong growth was observed across most categories, supported by government aid, pension fund withdrawals, and the…

Apparel accessories is another category that has felt the reverberations of climate shifts triggered by the El Niño phenomenon. These shifts have led to unprecedented winter heatwaves, directly hampering the sales of cold weather-related accessories…

The sustainability trend in womenswear in Colombia reflects a growing awareness of environmental and social responsibility among both consumers and fashion brands. Colombian women are increasingly seeking clothing options that are eco-friendly,…

Brand loyalty remains a prominent aspect in the Colombian sportswear industry, with consumers often expressing strong preferences for established global brands, such as Nike and adidas due to their reputation for quality and performance. However,…

As society has now reopened in the wake of the pandemic and men have returned to their places of work and can once again enjoy social gatherings, items, such as outerwear, have become more necessary than underwear and nightwear. With limited budgets,…

Colombian jeans have gained worldwide recognition due to their exceptional quality, innovative designs, and impeccable fit. Renowned for their attention to detail, Colombian brands are known to have mastered the art of creating jeans that flatter…

Executive events, forums and union meetings have been reactivated post pandemic, and the trend in hosiery is the use of trendy stockings with vibrant colours and patterns: stripes, dots, cartoons and even fruits. Some businessmen mix them with the…

Colombian consumers' widespread adoption of sneakers/trainers, particularly white sneakers, can be attributed to their willingness to embrace global fashion trends. The growth of sneakers sales helped drive general growth of footwear in 2023. White…

Size changes, also known as growth spurts, play a significant role in promoting purchases in the childrenswear category in Colombia. As children rapidly grow, parents and caregivers frequently need to update their children's wardrobes with new…

The fashion industry in Colombia represents 9.4% of the total industrial GDP and employs around 600,000 people. The industry continues to grow post-pandemic, recovering from supply problems, regaining consumers as trend followers resume activities.…

The use of local materials is of utmost importance in Colombian accessories as it fosters a sense of cultural identity and pride. Utilising materials that are indigenous to the region celebrates the country's rich heritage and craftsmanship. By…

In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with rising income inequality being among the key ones. Nevertheless, addressing the income inequality through catering to the Bottom of the Pyramid and the Middle Class…

The global economy is facing weaker growth and increasing fragmentation, as a result of rising geopolitical tensions, especially due to the war in Ukraine and the US-China strategic rivalry. Protectionism, industrial policy and a focus on resilience…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. In 2023, global inflation is expected to ease from its peak in 2022, but remaining significantly above-trend. Geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market are…