Baby Apparel Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Top Wear, Bottom Wear, and Others), By Material (Cotton, Wool, and Others), By End-user (Girls and Boys), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global baby apparel market size was valued at USD 64.64 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 67.47 billion in 2024 to USD 108.36 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.10% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the baby apparel market with a market share of 38.78% in 2023.

Growing social media influence and changing fashion trends have strongly impacted the children-wear industry. Modern age parents are keen on clothing choices for their kids, thereby pushing the demand for fashionable clothes. Furthermore, the adoption of online shopping among parents across the globe will further fuel market growth. On the other hand, sustainable clothing is being promoted worldwide, which is also trending in this market. For instance, in March 2020, Gerber Childrenswear LLC launched Gerber Modern Moments baby clothing that is made with organic cotton, owing to the increasing demand for eco-friendly clothes. Therefore, sustainable kids’ clothes are likely to have a positive impact on product consumption rates.

The coronavirus pandemic led to the closure of retail stores owing to the restriction on non-essential items, which, in turn, exhibited a negative impact on market growth. For instance, as per Q2 2020 results of the Children's Place Inc., one of the leading kids apparel companies, temporary store closures declined its overall sales revenue as the Children’s Place had to close down about 98 stores out of its 102 stores in the first half of fiscal 2020. However, the company witnessed a 118.2% increase in its digital sales in Q2 2020, owing to shifting consumer preference toward online buying.

Besides, strict lockdown restrictions imposed by governments coupled with social distancing norms have further obstructed celebrations such as baby showers and naming ceremonies. Cancellations of such events have decreased product demand, thus inhibiting market growth.

Baby Apparel Market Trends

Bio-sensor based Baby Products Are Trending in the Marketplace

Smart baby apparel is gaining traction in the market, owing to its ability to easily detect various activities of an infant. Wearable smart clothing detects information from sensors attached to baby clothes, which can be transferred to the parents’ smartphones, so parents can keep a watch on their baby. For instance, in June 2019, the Nanit brand launched its Breathing Wear for babies with a fabric that is characterized by customized patterns. This engineered pattern can be read by the Nanit Plus camera that is connected to the smartphone, allowing parents to easily monitor the breathing motion of the baby. Therefore, technological developments are expected to boost product demand.

Baby Apparel Market Growth Factors

Surging Birth Rate to Propel Product Demand

Developments in medical sciences have resulted in reduced infant mortality rates, which, in turn, have strongly supported product consumption. For instance, as per the report, ‘World Mortality 2019’ of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, the infant mortality rate has decreased by 54% from 1994 to 2019, which was valued at about 28 deaths under one year of age per 1,000 live births in 2019 from about 61 deaths in 1994.

Similarly, techniques such as in-vitro fertilization as well as surrogacy have helped the parents overcome concerns of infertility and thereby have increased the number of newborns, in turn, positively impacting the market growth. Besides, infants up to the age of 24 months usually outgrow their sizes rapidly as compared to teenagers that in turn, leads to frequent purchases of new clothes. 

Greater Access to Fashion Products to Support Market Growth

Increasing access to apparel and accessories, coupled with the infrastructural development of retail stores in emerging economies, will accelerate market expansion. For instance, in March 2019, PT Matahari Department Store Tbk announced its collaboration with OVS, one of the leading Italian clothing companies that also offers baby apparel. Through this collaboration, Matahari stores will become the exclusive distributor for OVS products in Indonesia, expanding its product reach.

Besides, the increasing number of working women has increased their purchasing power, which has resulted in greater demand for designer clothes for toddlers. Social media challenges such as matching mother and baby clothing along with the increasing trend for baby photoshoots, have further increased demand for new age stylish baby garments. Furthermore, a rise in the demand for branded baby apparel among consumers globally, along with changes in consumer lifestyle and growing disposable income, are the factors driving the growth of the baby apparel market. Manufacturers' rise in social media marketing is the key strategy adopted to attract a large consumer base in a short period. The wide availability of fashionable baby apparel in offline and online sales channels, such as Amazon, Flipkart, FirstCry, and others, will further drive the market growth. In addition, the rise in attractive offers and discounts on e-commerce websites has further encouraged the adoption of online shopping among consumers. The easy availability of fashionable baby apparel made from natural and organic materials, such as organic cotton and hemp, will further propel the market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Leasing Practice of Baby Products to Hamper Market Growth

Increasing adoption of ‘re-commerce’, renting, or leasing practices of baby clothing across the globe is expected to affect the demand for new clothes and limit market growth. Besides, strict regulations imposed by government authorities on the manufacturing of products for babies in terms of the use of chemicals are expected to pose a challenge to the players.

Baby Apparel Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

Top Wear Segment to Dominate owing to Greater Convenience Offered by Bodysuits

Based on type, the market is segmented into top wear, bottom wear, and others. Top wear is further classified into tops/shirts, bodysuits, and others. Bodysuits segment is expected to hold a significant share as they are a convenient option for parents in terms of diaper coverage and gives them easy access to diaper changes. Similarly, these types of clothes are comfortable for babies and can be used as an ideal outfit for outside use. Girls usually tend to wear dresses/frocks contributing to greater demand for top wear. Besides, a wide variety of vests and jackets as winter wear further adds impetus to the top wear segment’s growth, making it a dominant segment.

Bottom wear segment is further sub-segmented into trouser/legging, skirts, and others. The trouser/legging segment is expected to hold a major share as these products are available as unisex products, whereas skirts are only used by baby girls. Besides, all-in-one suits or full-body suits are also gaining momentum in the market as they can effectively cover the whole body of the baby. In addition, consumers are more focused on stylish apparel and cloth wear for babies, owing to which manufacturers are more focused on manufacturing designable, attractive, and convenient baby dressing.

By Material Analysis

Higher Material Softness makes Cotton Segment to Hold a Leading Position

Based on material, the market is segmented into cotton, wool, and others. The cotton segment dominates the market due to its inherent softness, which is highly preferred for kidswear. The baby’s skin is delicate and sensitive to external factors, and as the baby apparel is in direct contact with the skin, it needs to be made up of soft materials. For instance, as per Cotton Council International and Cotton Incorporated’s 2019 Global Childrenwear Study, about 85% of survey respondents said that cotton clothing is comfortable for their children.

Besides, trendy silk baby clothing, as well as woolen wear that is to be used in cold climatic conditions, are growing at a rapid rate, which is further expected to augment the baby clothing market growth.

By End-user Analysis

Boys Segment to Hold Major Share due to the Presence of Greater Number of Newborn Boys

Based on end-user, the market is segmented into boys and girls. The boys segment is expected to hold a major market share as the number of boys born is greater than that of newborn girls across the globe, thereby exhibiting a greater need for baby boy’s clothes. For instance, as per the data released by the United Nations Statistics Division under ‘World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision’, the sex ratio at birth is expected to be 1.06 male births per female birth worldwide, whereas it is expected to be 1.09 male births per female birth in Asia from 2020 to 2025.

However, the wide variety available in baby girl’s apparel, such as one-piece dresses, skirts & skorts as well as divider skirts, among others, is likely to grow the girls segment rapidly over the forecast period.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia Pacific dominated the global baby apparel market share in 2022, accounting for over 38.64% of global revenue. An increasing number of newborns in the region is likely to have a positive impact on product sales in China, India, and Southeast Asia. In addition, increasing birth rates in these countries will encourage baby clothing manufacturers to invest more in these countries. With the termination of a single child policy in China that now allows a couple to have two children, China is expected to become one of the largest markets for baby apparel in the forecast period. For instance, as per the IND – TEXPO 2019 presentation of Cotton Council International, apparel spending is expected to grow from 2016 to 2030 by 116% in China and by 148% in India. Increasing middle-class population, coupled with increasing standard of living in the region, is further expected to bolster the market growth of baby products. Furthermore, the availability of apparel products in online distribution channels, such as Amazon, Flipkart, and others, will further drive market growth.

Increasing purchasing power of working women in Europe is expected to support market growth in the region. Moreover, increasing demand for full body nightwear and winter wear owing to cold climatic conditions in the winter season in Europe is driving the market growth.

Higher spending on baby products in North America is projected to support market growth in the region. For instance, as per the OfferUp 2020 Recommerce Report-Parents & Kids, in the U.S., retail spending on baby and kid products increased from USD 62.03 billion in 2014 to USD 72.62 billion in 2019. Additionally, higher consumption of premium and designer kidswear in the region is expected to aid in greater revenue generation.

The South America and the Middle East & Africa markets held a relatively lower market share. International brands are making efforts to grow their market presence in these untapped markets to expand their business. For instance, in May 2020, Christian Dior opened its virtual pop-up store in the UAE featuring various fashion products along with the baby apparel line ‘Baby Dior’ that is specifically designed for Ramadan in the UAE. Besides, improved apparel retail infrastructure facilities with increased access to baby products are expected to offer growth opportunities to players in these regions.

List of Key Companies in Baby Apparel Market

Highly Competitive Kidswear Industry to Support Development

The baby apparel industry is highly fragmented, which, in turn, is expected to increase competition between players. Therefore, key players are adopting strategies such as improvements in the supply chain as well as mergers, and acquisitions to strengthen their foothold in the market. For instance, in April 2019, The Children's Place acquired Gymboree and Crazy 8 assets offering various kidswear. This is expected to expand the product portfolio of the Childrenplace.

Similarly, players are making efforts to attract new consumers by launching new product lines. For instance, in August 2020, H&M introduced its kidswear capsule collection, which is based on the famous Harry Potter film series. The collection includes tops, hoodies, trousers, dresses, and bodies, among others for babies.

Besides, an increasing number of local startups is further expected to bolster the global market growth.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Carter's, Inc. (U.S.)


• Hennes & Mauritz AB (Sweden)


• Gerber Childrenswear LLC (U.S.)


• Cotton On Group (Australia)


• The Children's Place, Inc. (U.S.)


• Industria de Diseño Textil, S.A (Inditex) (Spain)


• Nike, Inc. (U.S.)


• Mothercare plc (U.K.)


• Gianni Versace S.r.l. (Italy)


• Burberry (U.K.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• January 2023: LVMH, also known as LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, launched its first baby apparel, shoes, and accessories collection. The collection will consist of a diversified range of apparel and accessories for babies from three to twelve months of age. This new collection launch will help enhance its product line.


• May 2023: Ed-a-Mamma announced the launch of its new baby collection, which focuses on the age group of 0-3 years. The collection consists of sets and standalone pieces such as denims, dresses with bloomers, bodysuits, caps, t-shirts, sleepsuits, and others.


• April 2022: H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB launched sustainable baby clothes that can be composted when worn out. The 12-piece collection for babies is made from organic cotton and consists of tops, bottoms, hats, and others.


• April 2021: Carter Inc., which deals in branded apparel designed specifically for babies, announced the launch of its recycling program, Kidcycle. The company's focus on sustainable products has increased with this program's launch.


• October 2020: Loulou LOLLIPOP launched its Fall 2020 Baby Apparel collection. It features bodysuits made with eco-friendly materials and Eco-Soft Technology.

REPORT COVERAGE

The research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as competitive landscape, materials, and leading product types. Besides this, the report offers market insights and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation