Top Trends Shaping the Apparel Industry in South Africa

As South Africa has experienced recessionary economic conditions in the past year due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, value sales of apparel and footwear have declined by 15%. As a result, new trends such as digitalisation, cash-on-delivery and the rise of casual wear have emerged and are gaining traction. Though the pandemic caused massive disruption to supply chains with country-wide lockdowns, port backlogs and shipping delays, many companies have turned to local production, which has the advantage of more agile supply. In a market where agility is needed, it is in retailers' interest to support and invest in the local manufacturing industry.