PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, February 21, 2006 – Strong sales in t-shirts, jeans, tailored clothing and pajamas helped fuel growth in the apparel industry in 2005. According to leading consumer and retail information company The NPD Group, total U.S. apparel sales reached $181 billion in 2005, a 4 percent increase over 2004.
“As NPD predicted early last year, the apparel industry saw another healthy year of growth. Those who didn’t update their wardrobes two years ago made sure they did so last year,” said author and NPD chief industry analyst, Marshal Cohen.
Men Outpaced Women
Men’s apparel led the industry’s growth with an increase of five percent, reaching nearly $53 billion in 2005. Sales in women’s apparel also grew, reaching $101 billion; a three percent increase from 2004. Children’s apparel sales grew two percent, to $27 billion.
Men continued to dress to the nines in 2005. Men’s tailored clothing (suits, suit separates and sportscoats/jackets) grew 7 percent, totaling over $5 billion in sales. Young men took the tailored clothing industry by storm; combined sales of suits, suit separates and sportscoats/jackets grew 53 percent among men ages 18-24.
Another big category winner, men’s tops - accounted for 38 percent of the men’s apparel market, climbing six percent in sales; dress shirts and polo/golf/rugby shirts fueled much of the growth in the category, up 10 and 14 percent respectively.
“The surge in men’s apparel sales came from some of the most unexpected places, such as young men buying a suit. Teens and young adult men have finally ‘discovered the suit.’ When exploring that further, NPD found that young men never owned a suit, never wore a suit and never saw their father in a suit - yet, they have migrated towards dressing up to be ‘cool.’ We are seeing a shift in the younger generation reaching their image through grooming and dressing up,” said Cohen.
Women Accessorize in ‘05
Women spent $2.6 billion on hats and scarves, driving an 11 percent increase in the category. Cozy pajamas and fluffy robes were all the rage last year as women’s sleepwear sales generated nearly $4 billion in 2005, a 10 percent increase in dollars from 2004. It was also a strong year for women’s intimate apparel, the $9.6 billion industry expanded by nearly 4 percent in 2005.
“Women updated their wardrobes and showed a propensity towards style and comfort. Accessories provided a great way for women to update their look. Women also pampered themselves with cozy pajamas and robes and other self-care products that went beyond apparel,” said Cohen.
Big investments were made in the women’s jean sector. In 2005, women’s jeans were $7.6 billion, up nearly 10 percent in sales. Women’s premium jeans (jeans priced over $100) accounted for 18 percent of denim sales in U.S. department stores, up from 12 percent in 2004. Women needed something to wear with their jeans and so, they shelled out over $10 billion on t-shirts, posting a 10 percent spurt last year.
“Last year was a clear indication of where the consumer is heading for 2006. Today’s consumer enjoys splurging on higher-end products now and then, but their quest for value still remains,” said Cohen.
About The NPD Group, Inc.
Since 1967 The NPD Group has provided reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,400 manufacturers and retailers rely on NPD to help them better understand their customers, product categories, distribution channels and competition in order to help guide their businesses. Information from The NPD Group is available for the following major vertical sectors: apparel, appliances, automotive, beauty, consumer electronics, food and beverage, foodservice, footwear, home improvement, housewares, imaging, information technology, music, software, toys, video games, and wireless. For more information, visit www.npd.com.