Sports Apparel Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product (Tops & T-shirts, Trousers & Tights, Shorts and Others), By Demography (Men, Women, and Kids), By Distribution Channel (Online and Offline), and by Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global sports apparel market size was valued at USD 203.26 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 211.57 billion in 2024 to USD 298.06 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.38% during the forecast period. North America dominated the sports apparel market with a market share of 39.56% in 2023.

Sports apparel refer to clothes worn while performing physical activities, such as hiking, running, and yoga. These products cater to the wide-ranging demands of men, women, and children. Consumers can purchase these products through online and offline distribution channels.

The market has been observing steady growth rate in recent years due to new product launches and rising participation in sports activities in countries, such as India, the U.S., and others. The increasing preference for outdoor recreational activities among the young generation has been a significant factor fueling the demand for sports apparel. This aspect, along with rising health consciousness, new product launches, and growing inclination towards sports will accelerate the global sports apparel market growth during the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Decreased Preference for Recreational Activities Restricted Market Growth During COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 outbreak significantly impacted the global economy and multiple industries. This scenario resulted in lockdowns and restrictions imposed by governments around the world to control the spread of the infection. The shutdown of gyms and sports complexes were shut down caused the product demand to decline significantly.

However, as the restriction started to ease, sports complexes and gyms were reopened, creating a robust demand for sports apparel. Many market players including Nike, Adidas AG, and others ramped up their omnichannel services to cater to the growing need for these products and boost market recovery. For instance, in January 2021, Alice and Olive, a sportswear company in the U.S., launched their new campaign for a direct-to-customer online channel.

Sports Apparel Market Trends

Shift in Consumer Preference for Recreational Activities to Fuel Market Progress

A rise in awareness of leading a healthy lifestyle and the popularity of sports and recreational activities has rapidly grown owing to the growing cases of obesity among the young and adult generations. These factors have supported the sales of sports apparel across the globe. Furthermore, recreational and sports activities are effective ways for developing health and well-being. In addition, they also help improve fitness, increase mental and physical health, relieve stress, and prevent chronic diseases, such as heart attack. The rise in interest of individuals of all age groups and disabilities toward recreational activities showcasing their abilities and strengths will further boost the market's growth.

For instance, as per the 2022 Outdoor Participation Trends Report by the Outdoor Industry Association, in 2021, around 54% of Americans aged 6 years and above, representing 164.2 million of the country’s population, had participated in outdoor recreational activities at least once. Furthermore, in 2021, the outdoor participant base grew by 6.9% since March 2020. These aspects will expand the market size. In addition, as per the study conducted by all trails hiking saw a growth of 171.62% from 2019 to 2020. Thus, to cater to the growth in 2022, Lululemon launched its new hike collection. As per Ben Stubbington, Lululemon’s Senior Vice President of Design, this new collection is to bring consumer closure to nature with colours such as soft nudes and greens.

Sports Apparel Market Growth Factors

Rising Adoption of Sports Apparel Due to Its Comfort and Breathability to Drive Market Development

Many manufacturers are introducing a variety of sportswear materials that can absorb sweat and keep the person cool and dry. Fabrics, such as cotton, spandex, microfiber, nylon, polyester, calico, and many others are used to make this apparel as these fabrics can assist in making workout sessions comfortable by supporting body movements with optimal elasticity. For instance, in September 2022, Nike announced its latest innovation in the materials used for apparel manufacturing called “Forward”, which is manufactured through a new production process that uses fewer steps and consumes lesser energy. The material has a lower density than woven or knitted, making it more comfortable for athletes and a suitable alternative for climate-conscious clients.

Sports aesthetics have enormously influenced fashion and styles, such as jerseys, pleated skirts, and other clothing items. As these clothes are more comfortable, they have set the trend for comfortable clothing in the fashion industry. For instance, in 2020, style sage mentioned they had seen a high rise in sales for tennis-inspired skirts as they are convenient for outdoor and indoor activities and can be worn everywhere

World renowned athletes have an enormous influence over consumers in terms of fashion and lifestyle. This scenario has prompted major sportswear companies, such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Reebok, and others to collaborate with them to endorse their brands and products. For instance, in March 2021, Reebok announced a long-term partnership with all-pro defensive end Myles Garrett for the brand’s lifestyle and performance categories across classics, running, cross-training and heritage basketball. As a Reebok athlete, Garrett will be a key figure in the brand’s marketing campaigns and product innovation for performance designs, while providing product feedback and footwear testing for future models. Such initiatives will help the global market grow. In addition, these celebrities, athletes, and sports persons are turning into fashion brand owners by launching their fashion brands to cater to the growing demand for comfortable clothing. For instance, In September 2021, football star Raheem Sterling debuted the tailored menswear brand 1692 with British designer Samiyah Miah.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Fluctuating Raw Materials Prices to Restrain Market Development

Yarns and other raw materials used to manufacture sports apparel have a tedious production process. As per the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the production of textiles is concentrated in a few major countries, such as India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brazil, and Turkey. For example, as per the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India was the largest cotton producer, manufacturing around 362.18 lakh bales during the cotton season of 2021-22. The production of cotton as a raw material is seasonal and depends on natural factors, such as rainfall, humidity, solar radiation, and others. Furthermore, production of synthetic fibers, such as nylon, rayon, and polyester requires crude oil consumption. The fluctuation in crude oil prices globally has affected the prices of artificial fibers.

According to the Indian government, cotton production suffered due to the delayed monsoon season in 2021, even after launching several schemes to support the cotton industry including a 40% increase in support price for cotton. The cost of cotton in the market increased exponentially, and the apparel industry suffered a major decline in their revenue margins. The sector is also dependent on human labour. The labour rates in countries, such as China and India have been rising lately. For example, labour rates skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, further impacting the raw material prices for sports apparel manufacturers.  For instance, as per Don Blair, Nike’s Chief Financial Officer, the American multinational company is adopting new technologies, such as 3D printing to tackle the rising labour cost in China and Indonesia.

Sports Apparel Market Segmentation Analysis

By Product Analysis

Rise in Demand for Tops & T-shirts to Fuel the Market Growth

Based on product, the global market is divided into tops & t-shirts, trousers & tights, shorts, and others. The tops & t-shirts segments account for the largest market share and is expected to record a steady CAGR during the forecast period. The percentage of women participating in athletics is increasing at a healthy rate every year. More people are also taking part in outdoor recreational activities. In addition, market players are launching new top and t-shirt designs & collections. For instance, in August 2022, luxury fashion brand H&M launched its new sportswear brand ‘H&M Move’ to cater to the ever-growing demand for active wear among consumers. The new brand consists of functional tops, lightweight jackets, and a broad selection of tights and bras, alongside items designed to train and run.

Furthermore, brands, such as Nike, Puma, Adidas, Reebok, Yonex, and others are manufacturing products, such as polo, knitted, casual, and other types of sports apparel designed to meet the specific needs of an athlete or sportsperson. For instance, in August 2022, Adidas launched its all-new sports collection inspired by the next generation and its comfort-first mindset. All garments in this collection including shirts, tops, and other items are designed to enhance the everyday sports streetwear style and provide optimum comfort. Rising innovations, new product launches, and comfort-oriented designs of tops & t-shirts, trousers & tights, and shorts will significantly contribute to the market expansion.

By Demography Analysis

Higher Participation of Men in Sports and Recreational Activities to Boost Sports Apparel Sales

Based on demography, the market is segmented into men, women, and kids, from which the men segment has the highest market share owing to the availability of a wide variety of products for men by the key players, which fuels the demand. Furthermore, the kids segment will grow at a higher CAGR in the forecast period with new product launches and development by market players. For instance, in August 2021, the Venice-based brand Onzie launched its new activewear collection for kids and women designed to assist in jumping, running, playing the sport, cycling, and others. This new collection includes hoodies, leggings, elastic sports bras, biker shorts, and more.

The rising number of women participating in sports and outdoor recreational activities will fuel the demand for tights, sports tops, and others. Thus, to cater to the growing demand, major players are launching new collections designed for women. For instance, in August 2021, one of the leading European fashion brands for women, “ONLY” marked its entry in the sports apparel segment with its new collection “, Only Play”. This new launch is to strengthen its position as the fashion-forward brand in the market by providing a wide range of products to meet the rising demand from millennial women. The new collection offers a range of products such as tops, tights, tank tops, shorts, and others with the technical specifications such as removable and non-removable padding, racerback style, functional pockets, and windproof breathability technology to provide comfort and stability to women while performing their activities.

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Launch of New Retail Outlets Will Enhance Product Adoption

In terms of distribution channel, the industry is bifurcated into online and offline. The offline segment is expected to capture a larger share during the forecast timeline. Many reputed brands, such as Nike, Lululemon, Adidas, and many more are coming out with their own retail outlets. For instance, as per Nike's 2022 annual report, the brand had 344 stores in the U.S. and 702 stores outside the U.S. Similarly, in November 2022, Adidas launched its largest flagship store in Delhi, India. The new store is spread across 2 floors and is around 6,800 sq. ft. in size. These initiatives will spur the growth of offline distribution channels.

The rising demand for online sales channels by consumers post the pandemic period has also contributed to the market expansion. More customers are opting for online distribution channels as they offer a lot of convenience. For instance, in 2020, Walmart-owned Flipkart, an e-commerce platform, saw a surge in demand for T-shirts, track pants, running shoes, walking shoes and women’s tights To cater to this growing demand for online stores, many market players have been launching new platforms for their consumers. For instance, in 2021, Lululemon Athletica announced its expansion in the Europe region with plans to launch a local e-commerce website in Spain, assisted by local retail stores. This factor is predicted to enhance the market outlook during the forecast period.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The global sports apparel industry is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East and Africa.

North America captured the largest market share owing to the growing consumer base for these products in the U.S. The rising influence of sports, such as basketball, football, and baseball in the country has contributed significantly to the market progress. Furthermore, new product launches by market players influenced by the variety of sports will fuel the demand for sports apparel in this region. For instance, in July 2022, DRAKE'S NOCTA announced the launch of its new basketball apparel collection in collaboration with Nike. The collection will include performance-based items, such as workout hoodies, tees, shorts, and socks.

Asia Pacific is also a significant contributor to the growth of the market. This is due to the region’s rising participation in sports and the influence of sports in countries, such as India, Bangladesh, China, Australia, and others. The launch of new sports events will further boost the adoption of sportswear products. For instance, in September 2022, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) announced the Indian National Basketball League (INBL) 5×5, which will see Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata play over three rounds before heading to the playoffs.

Europe is witnessing significant growth owing to the rise in the participation of individuals of all age groups in outdoor recreation activities. Furthermore, the rise in consumer inclination toward health & fitness and the growing trend of virtual fitness platforms will further boost product demand. The easy availability of sports apparel in retail outlets and e-commerce platforms will further fuel market growth.

List of Key Companies in Sports Apparel Market

Market players in the sports apparel industry are focusing on innovating their existing product range through new launches. They are also trying to expand their regional presence by introducing advanced technologies in their products. Manufacturers are also collaborating with sports events and leagues to achieve a wider customer reach. For instance, in May 2022, Adidas collaborated with Balenciaga to launch a new collection at the latter’s resort 2023 runway show in New York City. It was instantly made available to shop at Balenciaga’s website. Furthermore, new technologies, such as texture blocking and layering styles will also improve the demand for high-tech sports clothing in the forecast period.For instance, in 2020, Adidas announced the development of its new technology, “Strung”, the first-ever textile technology that transforms athlete data into dynamic performance material.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED

• Nike, Inc. (U.S.)


• Adidas AG (Germany)


• Puma SE (Germany)


• Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (Canada)


• Under Armour, Inc. (U.S.)


• Columbia Sportswear Company (U.S.)


• Asics Corporation (Japan)


• FILA Holdings Corp. (South Korea)


• Mizuno (Japan)


• LI Ning Company Limited (China)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• In January 2023, Lululemon announced the launch of its new e-commerce website ‘Lazada’ as the athletic wear brand moves to expand its presence across Asia Pacific. The launch is for the brand's flagship store on Lazmall. In addition, this is the brand’s first e-commerce partnership in Asia.


• In November 2022, Nike unveiled its new web3 platform called “SWOOSH”, which will be used to launch apparel and footwear for avatars. With the introduction of this new technology, the brand wanted to improve and expand its presence and reach amongst the younger generation.


• In September 2022, Lululemon Athletica Inc. announced the launch of its new service and attempted to connect its consumers through its Lululemon studio. The studio will be accessible through the Lululemon Studio Mirror, app, and in-person experiences from reputed online studio brands, such as AARMY, Y7 Studio, DOGPOUND, FORWARD Space, Pure Barre, Rumble, AKT, and YogaSix. In addition, the studio members would receive discounts on Lululemon products, early access to lululemon events, and more perks. This launch will assist the company in advancing its online presence and brand awareness among younger generation.


• In April 2022, Walmart unveiled its new private-label activewear brand to grow its product portfolio and cater to the rising demand for activewear in the U.S. The new line is called Love & Sports, which would be rolled out to 1,500 stores.


• In December 2021, Adidas India declared the launch of its shopping app in India, equipped with AR technology. The launch aimed to create a home for a global membership program which included the creators club. The program allowed members to shop, review, participate, run, and train to earn points and unlock rewards. This move will assist the company in enhancing its consumer engagement rate and reach.

REPORT COVERAGE

The global market report analyzes the market in detail and highlights crucial aspects, such as prominent companies, competitive landscape, different product types & share analysis, demography types, market sizing, and distribution channels. Besides this, the research report also provides insights into the latest sports apparel market trends and highlights significant industry development in regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and South America. In addition, to the aspects mentioned earlier, the report encompasses several factors contributing to the market's growth.

Report Scope & Segmentation