Hoodies and Sweatshirt Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material Type (Cotton, Wool, Leather, Fleece, Others), By End-use (Men, Women, Kids), By Distribution Channel (Offline retail, Online retail) And Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Hoodies and sweatshirts are winter wear garments, and people of all ages and genders wear both. Hoodies have a hood on the front side, whereas a sweatshirt doesn't have a pouch on the front side and are full sleeve pullovers. Hoodies are a protective garment from the cold winters and provide comfort to the body. In contrast, sweatshirts are skinny, maintain blood circulation and body temperature, and helps in the athletic activities of an individual. The main reason behind the sweatshirt was carrying out athletic training in winters, but nowadays, it is commonly seen among the masses, especially teenagers. Over the years, just like other fashion categories, the modern-day sweatshirts and hoodies have come a long way from being just a functional winter wear category to become a fashion statement of the new generation.

Manufacturers are constantly upgrading the apparel's printed designs and fabric quality to gain a competitive edge. The hoodies and sweatshirt market is expected to see vast innovation in the coming years as new technology and changing lifestyle trends will transform the industry. Celebrity endorsements and marketing campaigns by various brands such as Adidas, Nike, PUMA, etc., also play a crucial role in triggering the consumption of winter apparel, including hoodies, jackets, and sweatshirts. The long-lasting brand impression created by celebrities plays a pivotal role in capturing customers to purchase products from different brands, which is likely to influence the market's growth positively.

The hoodies and sweatshirts tend to appeal through their aesthetics and prints embroidered on them and attachments like hoods and zip-up styles. The fashionable sweatshirts and hoodies give an attractive appearance to the personality and can be worn out during any occasion since they are comfortable and multifunctional. This further captivates the interest of consumers towards fashionable, comfy outfits, which is driving the growth. Also, there is a substantial requirement for hoodies and sweatshirts in cold temperatures. They provide warmth to the body and regulate the body temperature, which influences the customer's demand for such products. Moreover, the winter getaways to cold destinations also augment the need for hoodies and sweatshirts as they are a perfect fit to sustain cold weather conditions.

Another significant change in the competitive scenario is the growing digitalization of the economy. The fashion industry is connected digitally. Digital platforms and digital marketing strategies are upscaling their growth in the fashion market. According to the JDA Software Inc. survey report published in 2018, 43% of fashion brands and retailers planned to invest in customer-based data science in the next five years for converting customer data into personalized merchandising clothing based on their lifestyle and localized trends.

The winter season generally experiences high-end winter clothing fashion among people, and due to its seasonal requirement, the market faces a challenge in enhancing the demand among the consumers. This ultimately hinders the market growth for hoodies and sweatshirts.

Key players covered:

Gucci, Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, Pierre Cardin, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Dolce and Gabbana, and Versace are prominent players operating in the market.

The global sweatshirts and hoodies market is segmented based on material type, end-use, distribution channel, and geography.

Based on the material type, the market is segmented into cotton, wool, leather, fleece, and others. The fleece fabric segment is anticipated to witness considerable growth in the upcoming years because of its insulating fabric material made of polyester used to trap heat created by the human body and protect from the harsh cold. Also, because of its low cost in comparison to cotton, it has gained wide popularity throughout. The fleece fabric used in hoodies and sweatshirts offers warmth and comfort for a more extended period during cold weather. Sweatshirts have gained widespread adoption globally among the new generation since the fabric used is applicable to all climatic conditions. Fleece hoodies are a perfect attraction for winters; they are softer and lightweight in nature and do not catch stain or dirt easily. Moreover, they are effortless to maintain and don’t require frequent washing compared to cotton. The elastic fleech materials used in the sweatshirts and hoodies allow stretching and flexing for sporting and fitness activities and have gained widespread traction among athletes and sportspersons.

Based on end-use, the market is segmented into men, women, and kids. The men’s segment is estimated to exhibit lucrative growth opportunities since the sweatshirts and hoodies are the ultimate crossover of style and comfort and give an attractive look as outerwear. Moreover, sweatshirts find more significant usage among fitness enthusiasts and athletes since they are flexible and stretchable and also helps to maintain and regulate body temperature. Hoodies are the trendiest clothing item in the market during cold winters, and people love to consider them the most comfortable and versatile clothing item of all. Furthermore, sweatshirts have become a staple outfit for every men’s wardrobe during any season. The variety of designs and colors in sweatshirts and hoodies is uplifting the segmental growth further.

Based on distribution channels, the market is segmented offline and online. The online segment is expected to provide significant growth opportunities due to the growth of the latest e-commerce trends in shopping and the changing customer patterns that demand numerous kinds of apparel from different brands. Many new brands have emerged with e-commerce, which allows companies to engage consumers through virtual reality. Also, the products sold across the online platform are customer-oriented, as the prints and designs on the sweatshirts and hoodies can be customized according to the customer's preferences. The easy payment interface, discount offers, and hassle-free return policies allow the customers to elevate their purchases through online shopping sites, thereby boosting the segmental growth.

Regional Analysis:

The global sweatshirts and hoodies market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa by geography.

The North American market is expected to foresee dominant growth in the market during the forecast period 2021-2028. The growing consumption of apparel products from countries like the U.S and Canada has bolstered regional growth significantly. According to the latest data published by the Commerce Department Office of Textiles & Apparel (OTEXA), U.S. apparel imports plunged 32 % to $6 billion in value terms in July 2020 compared to the previous year, 2019. The outdoor, street-styling, and sportswear are the fashionable trends available in the following variants, which is expected to uplift the regional growth. Also, the fashion trends and changing lifestyles have positively influenced the region's growth since the sweatshirts and hoodies come in a contemporary range of colors and designs, favoring the youth population. Manufacturers operating in the winter wear garments have partnered with strong distribution channels to boost noteworthy collections of various brands, such as Nike, Calvin Klein, Vans, and Tommy Hilfiger.

The Asia Pacific market is also estimated to witness noticeable growth opportunities during the forecast period 2021-28. The rising trend of outdoor sporting activities has fostered the demand for sweatshirts and winter garments. Various sporting events such as basketball, football, and cricket demand versatile and convenient apparel such as sweatshirts. The rising number of gyms and fitness centers promotes the usage of sweatshirts on a larger scale. Moreover, hoodies are trending due to the influence of underground music and rap culture performing battles of bands or self-recorded shows. The enthusiasm for hoodies among music lovers has posed significant growth with the emergence of underground music. Due to the temperature drop in winters, consumers go for bulk purchases of hoodies and sweatshirts to protect themselves from the adverse effects of cold fever and viral infections. The significant share in the APAC region is attributed to the growing consumption of winter apparel in India, Korea, and China. For instance, according to data reported by the United States Department of Agriculture, the sales value of the apparel, textile, footwear, and knitted products in China increase by 7.7 % over that of the previous year, 2017.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments:

• On November 10th, 2018, Nike and the Premier League have announced a six-year extension to their existing partnership until at least 2025. The extension of the deal cements one of Nike's longest partnerships in football, ensuring continued innovation on and off the pitch. This agreement will help Nike in boosting its business in sports suits, including Hoodies.


• In January 2020, Reima Oy Company, a leading company under the kids wear segment launched children Autumn/Winter 2020 collection including sustainable and highly functional jackets and hoodies for the winter season