Functional Apparel Market: Opportunity and Market Trends

Posted by Kishor on February 27th, 2019

Global Functional Apparel Market – Snapshot

Functional apparel are apparel with integrated functions of controlling or adjusting according to its application. Functional apparel includes all types of apparel or assemblies that are specifically designed to deliver a pre-defined function to consumers, over its normal or usual functions. This includes protection under harsh environmental conditions during work or sporting activities and protection against extreme hazards and environments. The functional apparel market is predicted to witness expansion in terms of newer technologies, coupled with new trends.

Major factors driving the functional apparel market is rising demand for high-performance, application-specific apparel and footwear coupled with the rising participation in sports and fitness activities. Functional apparel manufactured using advanced technology are usually made of polyester fabric or spandex that absorbs sweat from the body on the fabric’s surface, from where it is evaporated. These apparel thus help athletes to stay dry and comfortable.

The comfort seeking middle class with high disposable income, changing lifestyles, and increasing urbanization has led to increased demand for functional apparel. The developing world’s emerging middle class is a critical economic and social factor because of its potential as an engine of growth, particularly in the largest developing countries such as China, India and, Sub-Saharan Africa. After showing signs of a slowdown, China’s economy is back on track. China has the largest share with demand for functional apparel being fuelled by the country’s burgeoning middle-class population. Also propelled by its robust economic performance and growing middle class, India is at the forefront of future growth opportunities.  Rise in demand for functional apparel is resulting in increased production of apparel in these regions. Cheap labor and availability of raw materials is also adding fuel to the production of functional apparel in these regions.

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China’s growth in the production of functional apparel is tightly linked to massive local engagement of the international apparel industry. China has become one of the most attractive destinations for production of apparel due to low labor costs, reduced commercial barriers, and better information flows. Over the past decades, production presence of the apparel industry has diminished in developed countries as companies have adopted a practice of outsourcing their manufacturing needs to low wage economies. Despite stable growth of China’s apparel market, several challenges have emerged on the horizon. Rising labor costs and increasingly strict environmental policies are among the most prominent issues for the Chinese apparel industry. In order to cope with these developments, an increasing number of Chinese manufacturers are focusing on upgrading their industrial infrastructure and modernizing their production processes.

The functional apparel market is segmented in terms of type, fabric, finishing, and geography. By type, the market is divided into sportswear, outdoor clothing, innerwear, footwear, socks, and swimwear. Innerwear, footwear, socks, and swimwear is further divided into athletic and non-athletic. By fabric, the market is classified into conventional fabric, specialty fabric, and others. Conventional fabric is further segmented into polypropylene, cotton, bamboo, wool, and polyester. Specialty fabric is divided into neoprene, and spandex. Polyester and cotton are widely used fabrics in functional apparel across the globe. Cotton is the major cash crop in Asia Pacific. Production of abundant raw materials is resulting in the increased production of functional apparel in Asia Pacific. Shift in preference for affordable, durable, and comfortable functional apparel increases the demand for high-value fabrics such as polyester, wool, cotton, and other synthetic fabrics. Blended varieties of fabrics are also growing due to significant features of artificial and natural yarn thus opening up new markets and growth opportunities. The conventional fabric segment is expected to experience a CAGR of 6.1% over the forecast period.

Polyester is the most commonly used conventional fabric in functional apparel. By finishing, the functional apparel market can be categorized into water resistant, anti-microbial, wicking, stain resistant, and others which include fire resistant, U.V. resistant etc. The water resistant finishing segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of nearly 6.3% during the forecast period, 2018-2026. Increased production of water resistant apparel in various active sportswear applications is due to its ability to offer protection from extreme weather conditions. By geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

Asia Pacific accounts for major share in the production of functional apparel due to the easy availability of raw materials and cheap labor. It is a major exporter to the U.S. and other developed countries in the world. The market in Asia Pacific was valued at US$ 117,075.7 Mn in 2017. Apparel is a prominent labor-intensive manufacturing industry in Asia. China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India are four of the largest apparel exporters in the world. Apparel production has been rising in low-cost alternative destinations to China such as India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Pakistan. The functional apparel market in Asia Pacific has reached a pivotal juncture. Economic and demographic transition in Asia Pacific is leading to the increased production of functional apparel in this region. Regarding functional apparel production, Southern and Western Europe, where most developed countries such as Germany, France, and Italy are located, accounted for nearly 80% of Europe’s apparel manufacturing in 2016.

The functional apparel industry is fragmented across the world. Some of the industry participants of the global functional apparel market are Adidas, Asics Corporation, Calvin Klein, HanesBrands Inc., Head, Icebreaker, Jockey International, MIZUNO Corporation, Nike Inc., Puma SE, Russell Brands, LLC, Skechers USA Inc., Umbro, and Under Armour Inc