The Swimwear Industry
(Market Research Report)
Brief Overview of Growth/Trends in the
Swimwear Industry
The retail market for swimwear and beachwear is forecast to rise from
US$12.88bn in 2006 to US$13.51bn by 2012. This is growth of 4.9%
over a six year period - roughly equivalent to 0.8% per year - and
suggests that a sector that grew rapidly in the 1990s is now slowing
down. (Source: just-style)
The world market for swimwear and beachwear is projected to exceed
$17.6 billion by the year 2015. This is primarily driven by the growing
interest in body care, social mobility, relaxed dress codes, improved
performance of textiles, and the escalation of beauty and spa industry,
worldwide. (Source: Global Industry Analysts, Inc.)
Recent Swimwear Industry Stats
Slower Growth In The Coming Years
Recent retail reports indicate that swimwear, worldwide, could
experience slower growth between 2011 and 2014. (Source:
WeConnectFashion.com)
This sluggish growth forecast is blamed on the current uncertain
economic situation, long-term population stagnation, and the shift in
branded manufacturing to lower-cost countries. (Source: just-style)
Overall, it could lower world swimwear growth between 2008 and 2014
from 5.32% to 1.69% and leave the world market at retail worth
US$13.25bn rather than US13.85bn. (Source: just-style)
What Will Drive Up Demand?
1. Swimwear fashion in the Western world will be driven by the acceptance of
swimming as a relaxing pastime for an ageing population.
2. Among the younger age group, swimwear will be worn away from the sea
and the pool.
3. Figure supporting and enhancing fabrics will encourage older women to wear
swimwear.
4. Western swimwear habits will take hold in the developing world.
5. Internet sales growth will outstrip that of traditional retailing.
6. The desire of women to look fashionable by the pool and at the beach.
7. Increasing incorporation of fashion elements into swimwear.
8. The growth of beauty and spa industry.
9. The London Olympics will create a swimwear mark.
(Source: Just-Style and Global Industry Analysts, Inc.)
Good News For The Luxury Swimwear
Industry
In the face of an uncertain economy, consumers continue to embrace
luxurious swimwear options. (Source: Trend Report)
According to the survey, the majority of women (94 percent) are willing to
pay more for good quality swimwear(Source: Land's End Survey)
The Swimwear Market By
Geographical Location
Europe and the United States dominate the global swimwear and
beachwear market. The developing world such as the South East Asia
and China provide a greater opportunity for the growth of the
swimwear market as the western swimwear habits gain hold in the
developing nations. (Source: Global Industry Analysts, Inc.)
The Swimwear Market By Age
Swimwear Market:
Women's Apparel:
Youth specific holiday market was
the most successful; Under 25's
are the primary buyers of
swimwear (Source: Mintel 2010)
A third of women who shop in
department stores are aged 25 –
55. (Source: Cotton Inc.)
Women aged 45 to 64 spend more
More than a third of respondents
on clothing per capita than any
(38 percent) started shopping for
other group. (Source: Apparel &
quality swimwear in their 20s, 43
Textile Trends)
percent discovered superior
Women born between 1946 and
suits in their 30s and 5 percent
1964 racked up 39 percent of all
in their 40s (Source: Land's End
women's apparel purchases.
Survey)
Women ages 41 to 59 are the
greatest marketing opportunity
today. (Source: Imago Creative)
The Swimwear Market by Clothing Size
Fashion designers are finally
recognizing that the market for plus
size swimwear is not only profitable
to them (and those who sell their
designs), but it is also a reality and
a necessity! (Source: Plus size
swimwear looking good. Jean
Sanders)
In America alone, there are 40 million
women over size 14, spending $25
billion a year on clothing, or a
quarter of all clothing sales.
(Source: American Demographics)
U.S. retail sales of women's plus-size
apparel approached $32 billion in
year 2000. This is a 33 % rate of
growth since 1996. (Source:
MarketResearch.com)
The Swimwear Market by Occupation
Specialty apparel stores thrive in middle to upper income areas and
those with above-average white-collar employment levels.
(Source: Downtown Market Analysis. University of Minnesota)
The Swimwear Market by Education Level
In general, areas with high levels of educational attainment tend to prefer
“the finer things.”
That is, they may have a preference for shopping at smaller, non-chain
specialty retail stores.
(Source: Downtown Market Analysis. University of Minnesota)
The Swimwear Market by
Annual Household Income
Coldwater Creek targets women between the ages of 35 and 60 with an
average income of $75,000.
(Source: Coldwater Creek to Pamper Customers with Spa)
Highly affluent households with annual incomes above $100,000
comprise one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population,
increasing by more than 2 percent each year since 2000.
(Source: Downtown Market Analysis. University of Minnesota)
The Swimwear Market by Location
Shopping Preferences
Department stores are the most popular places to purchase swimsuits,
with 50% of women buying their suits there
(Source: ShopSmart Poll)
27% of women have tried shopping for a swimsuit online
(Source: ShopSmart Poll)
Common Activities/ Interests
An estimated 300,000 swim competitively in the US. An additional 7 million
swim for recreation or fitness. (Source: Sports Marketing 2011, Richard K.
Miller and Associates)
According to the Travel Industry of America, 72 million women in the U.S. took at
least one trip last year. The average adventurer traveler is 47 years old and
wears a size 12 dress. Women also made up half of all business travellers
last year spending $175 billion.
Average Amount Spent on Swimsuit
Ave. price for a woman's bathing suit: $24.26
Ave. price for a man's bathing suit: $15.62
(Source: NPD Group)
Average Swimwear Prices Per Unit
Major Players
Speedo, Tyr, Gottex, Michael Kors, Catalina, Jantzen and O'Neill.
(Source: Global market review of swimwear and beachwear –
forecasts to 2013 by Reportlinker)
American Apparel, Inc., Diana Sport, Eveden Group, Equatorsun Ltd.,
Jantzen, Inc., La Perla Group, Nitches, Inc., NOZONE Clothing Limited,
O'Neill, Inc., PARAH S.p.A, Pentland Group plc, Perry Ellis International,
Inc., Quiksilver, Inc., Seafolly, Seaspray (UK) Ltd., Swim Suit Company,
Tefron, The Wet Seal, Inc., TYR Sport, Inc., VF Corporation, and
Warnaco Group, Inc., among others. (Source: Global Industry Analysts,
Inc.)
Brand Positions in the Swimwear Market