Maria Rugolo is a Director and Industry Analyst of Fashion Apparel heading up NPD’s Apparel Market Insights team, driving insights and addressing industry challenges through deep levels of analysis and expertise. Maria joined NPD in 1999 as an Analyst of retail and consumer fragrance information. In 2011, Maria moved into a fashion apparel role where, in addition to managing a number of key fashion clients, she keeps a pulse on the apparel industry. Maria presents industry trends to manufacturers, retailers, and key apparel industry associations, including state of the industry presentations and white space opportunity analyses.

Maria has an MBA in Marketing, and a BBA in both Marketing and International Business from Hofstra University in New York. She expanded her global perspective while working four months in NPD’s Milan office.

Recent Posts

Finding Comfort in 2021

Jan 11, 2021

Today’s circumstances are leading us to seek out a sense of security - a mindset that is impacting how we are investing in our wardrobes now and in the future.

Apparel Stays Home for the Holidays

Oct 14, 2020

Connecting through the theme of “home” will be apparel’s best approach to a very different selling season.

Online Holiday Delights

Dec 9, 2019

Some Cyber Monday offerings were better than the weekend's in-store promotions - important to keep a "touch and feel" category like apparel top of mind online

VSCO Girls: How A Consumer Group Born on Social Media Has Cross-Industry Implications

Nov 11, 2019

The VSCO girl subculture took hold this summer and has created opportunities for products and brands in a variety of industries including apparel, beauty, fashion accessories, footwear, sporting goods and technology. We asked our industry analysts to weigh in regarding the implications and opportunities for their industries.

‘Tis the Season to Treasure Hunt

Oct 24, 2019

Off-price apparel sales are up, some retailers are expanding doors and moving online, and more consumers are planning on shopping off-price over the holidays.

2019 - A Year of Preparation

Jan 2, 2019

2019 will be the bridge to awaited transformations of a new decade, and there are six key strategies that retail and the fashion industry will need to focus on.