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Valued at $288 billion in 2023, the global plus size clothing market is projected to expand at a CAGR of5.7 per cent to surpass $501.35 billion by 2033. As per a report by Future Markets Insight (FMI), this growth will be driven by the rise of body positivity movement, changing fashion norms, and increased consumer awareness.
The body positivity movement has played a key role, encouraging inclusivity and celebrating diverse body shapes, which has fueled demand for attractive plus size clothing. As fashion norms evolve, designers and retailers are increasingly offering trendy, stylish options for plus size individuals.
With awareness amongst consumers rising, plus size shoppers are seeking clothes that reflect their personal style while ensuring comfort, says the report. However, the market also faced certain challenges including inconsistent sizing and limited retail availability, which hinder the market's growth, it adds. Many physical stores offer a narrow range of larger sizes, making it difficult for plus size shoppers to find what they need. Additionally, discrepancies in sizing across brands complicate the shopping experience, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction, particularly with online purchases, the report adds further. v Opportunities for expansion in the plus size clothing market are significant, particularly in online retail and customisation. eCommerce platforms allow brands to reach a broader audience and offer a wider variety of sizes and styles.
Customisation options further enhance customer satisfaction by allowing plus size individuals to create clothing that fits their unique body types and preferences.
According to the report, current trends shaping the market include inclusive fashion campaigns, sustainable practices, and fashionable plus size activewear. Brands promoting diverse body types in their marketing efforts are fostering a more inclusive fashion landscape. Sustainability is also gaining traction, with brands incorporating eco-friendly materials and ethical practices. The rise of stylish and functional plus size activewear meets the growing demand for inclusive fitness apparel that is both comfortable and supportive.
United States holds a 40 per cent share in the global plus size clothing market with significant contributions from the UK, China, Japan, and South Korea. The casual wear and mid-priced segments are expected to dominate the market.
Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) willshowcase a few selected Danish and Nordic brands at a dedicated showroom during Paris Fashion Week SS25. A part of CPHFW’s ongoing efforts to support their economic growth, this initiative offersthese brands a platform to gain insights into the fashion industry and highlight their commitment to responsible practices.
In all, eight brands, that previously featured in CPHFW’s official show and presentation schedule, will participate in the showroom. Four of these brands—Alectra Rothschild / Masculina, Berner Kühl, Rolf Ekroth, and Stamm—are also part of CPHFW’s NewTalent incubator program. The other participating brands include A Roege Hove, Mfpen, Nicklas Skovgaard, and OpéraSport.
Each brand selected for the Paris showroom has met CPHFW’s stringent Sustainability Requirements, demonstrating their dedication to creating a more positive impact on the fashion industry and managing their environmental footprint. CPHFW emphasises, the inclusion of both established and emerging talent in the showroom underscores the importance of the journey towards sustainability and celebrates success stories of businesses that are scaling up while maintaining a positive impact.
Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO, CPHFW, says, event would serve as a significant opportunity to present CPHFW’s Sustainability Requirements and showcase the brands that meet these standards to the international fashion industry, she notes.
The initiative aims to also foster impactful collaborations that can accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable and positive fashion industry.
Supported by a shared grant pool from Danish ministers and the Danish Art Foundation, this initiative further emphasises the collaborative effort required to promote Danish and Nordic brands on a global stage.
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has warned that the government’s ‘regressive taxation policies’ may lead to the permanent closure of textile factories in Pakistan, resulting significant job losses.
Expressing deep concern over the impact of SRO350(1)/2024 and the recent removal of the sales tax exemption on local supplies for export manufacturing, APTMA argued, these actions are crippling the industry with severe consequences for employment, external sector stability, and the overall economy.
Despite repeated appeals from industrial stakeholders and assurances from senior officials, APTMA criticised the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for continuing to enforce what it described as a ‘dysfunctional policy’ that harms manufacturers across Pakistan. The association noted,the operational challenges introduced by SRO350 have compounded the difficulties already faced by the textile industry.
APTMA explained,the requirement to link the entire supply chain to file sales tax returns has created significant obstacles. Many of its members, along with other firms nationwide, are struggling to meet the filing deadlines because their upstream suppliers have not filed their returns. Furthermore, the FBR has eliminated the option to delink invoices from the return, worsening the situation.
APTMA urged the government to immediately amend SRO350(1)/2024 in consultation with industrial stakeholders who are most affected by it. The textile sector cannot endure further delays in addressing this issue, which has already caused substantial damage, the association warned.
Additionally, APTMA called for the reinstatement of the sales tax exemption on local supplies for export manufacturing. The association argued that the withdrawal of zero-rating on these supplies under the Finance Act 2024 was not driven by revenue needs but was instead a reaction to FBR audits that identified misuse by a small number of firms out of approximately 1,900 beneficiaries.
APTMA urged the government to restore the zero-rating on local supplies under the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) and to implement stronger checks and balances to prevent misuse, rather than resorting to measures that further accelerate the deindustrialisation trend harming Pakistan’s economy.
Uzbekistan is undertaking several textile projects across various regions of Azerbaijan, revealed YusifAbdullayev, Executive Director, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), at the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan business forum on Aug 22, 2024 in Tashkent
Uzbekistan's deep expertise and knowledge alongwithtextile exports worth over $4 billion will help implement these complex projects in regions like Imishli, Yevlakh, and the liberated territories, including Khankendi, he stated.
Several cooperation agreements covering sectors such as energy, education, logistics, and construction, were signed during the forum. The two countries also agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and establish twinning partnerships between the cities of Jizzakh (Uzbekistan) and Guba (Azerbaijan), as well as Shahrisabz (Uzbekistan) and Beylagan (Azerbaijan).
Furthermore, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan announced plans to open trade houses and showrooms in key cities, including Baku, Shusha, Tashkent, and Samarkand.
The Textile Association (India), Mumbai Unit, is set to host an internatiaonal conference on “Automation and Robotics in Textile & Apparel Industry” on November 15, 2024, in Mumbai. This event will explore the critical role of automation and robotics in the textile and apparel sectors.
Key discussions will focus on the integration of Industry 4.0 in textile machinery, innovations in apparel production, and the broader impact of automation on textile manufacturing. The conference will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and global experts to share insights and advancements.
With around 400 participants expected, this conference promises a significant platform for networking and knowledge exchange. The Textile Association (India), Mumbai Unit, known for its influential events, aims to continue its tradition of addressing cutting-edge industry trends and challenges.
This gathering underscores the growing importance of automation in maintaining competitiveness and driving innovation within the textile and apparel industries.
A 2024 Bain & Company report predicts, Gen Z consumers, born between 1997 and 2012, will make up nearly a third of luxury purchases by 2030, while millennials will account for over half.
As Gen Z is projected to become the wealthiest generation, their influence is expected to drive growth in luxury retail, travel, and technology sectors. Jason Dorsey, a Gen Z researcher, notes, although Gen Z's current spending power is lower than other generations, it will increase, making early engagement with this demographic crucial for brands.
The luxury market is shifting as Gen Z’s preferences challenge traditional brand loyalty. Claire Tassin from Morning Consult highlights, luxury consumers are increasingly ‘mercurial’ and prioritise quality over brand status. Despite their growing buying power, Gen Z's loyalty is less consistent compared to older generations. As per a report by McKinsey & Co, over 50 per cent of Gen Zers would switch brands for better value or quality, indicating a preference for authenticity and trendiness.
Brands face the challenge of appealing to both classic luxury shoppers and aspirational buyers, particularly with Gen Z's emphasis on authenticity and value. This balancing act is critical as overall luxury spending is expected to rise from €1.5 trillion ($1.67 trillion) currently to €2.5 trillion ($2.79 trillion) by 2030.
To succeed, luxury brands must avoid assuming that Gen Z lacks sophistication. Instead, they should recognise this generation’s diverse influences, inclusivity, and the importance of staying connected with trusted trends and information sources. Brands need to adapt to these evolving preferences to remain competitive and relevant in the expanding luxury market, adds the report.
On May 24, the Korean fashion brand Matin Kim launched its first pop-up store in Tokyo, Japan, marking a significant milestone in the rising popularity of K-fashion among young Japanese consumers. This trend has ignited a wave of Korean fashion platforms expanding into Japan's market, both online and offline.
Last October, leading Korean women's fashion shopping mall, Ably introduced a service that allows vendors to enter the Japanese market through its platform, amood. By utilising the ‘Overseas Sales Integration’ feature in the Ablyapp, vendors can list their products directly on amood, making them accessible to Japanese customers. Ably handles all the complexities of international commerce, including translation, shipping, customs, and customer support.
As of August 22, nearly ten months after its launch, a mood has seen more than 5,500 stores expand into Japan through the platform, with a cumulative listing of 1.85 million fashion and beauty products. The platform’s monthly active users increased by 20% compared to the previous month, and its transaction volume grew by 30%.
The entry of K-fashion platforms into Japan has been gaining momentum since the early 2020s. Mediquitous launched the fashion platform Nuguin Japan in 2020, which has quickly established a strong presence. By last year, Nugu's transaction volume reached 46 billion won, and the platform now has 1.8 million monthly active users. Similarly, another major Korean fashion platform, Musinsa established its Japanese subsidiary, Musinsa Japan, in 2021, operating both pop-up stores and an online shopping mall.
A significant player in the global fashion industry, Japan has an estimated market size of 100 trillion won, double that of South Korea. During Japan's economic boom in the 1980s, prominent designers emerged, bringing Japanese fashion to global prominence and influencing trends in South Korea. While Korean fashion saw a brief surge in popularity in Japan during the early 2000s, interest waned as the initial wave of Korean cultural content, including K-dramas, subsided.
The recent resurgence of K-fashion in Japan can be attributed to the growing influence of Korean celebrities and the widespread use of social media. Korean fashion trends are now spreading rapidly among trend-sensitive young Japanese consumers, fueled by the increase in K-fashion content shared online. A recent Nikkei article highlighted that Korean products and services are thriving in Japan, where social media plays a crucial role in amplifying trends. Young Japanese consumers, particularly those involved in "oshi-katsu" (supporting their favorite idols), are at the forefront of this trend, driving the global popularity of Korean fashion.
Urban Outfitters’ net income increased to $117.5 million in Q2, FY24 with total net income for the first six months of the year amounting to $179.3 million. The company’s net sales for the quarter rose by 6.3 per centto $1.35 billion, driven by a 2 per cent growth in comparable retail segment sales and a 3.1 per cent increase in overall retail segment sales.
In H1, FY24, Urban Outfitters’ net sales grew by 7 per cent to $2.55 billion, supported by a 3.2 per cent rise in comparable retail segment sales and a 4.4 per cent increase in overall retail segment sales.
The growth was fuelled by a rise in all three segments – retail, Nuuly, and wholesale. Four of the company’s five brands delivered record operating profits during the second quarter, notes Richard A. Hayne, CEO.
Performance of the company’s individual brands also remained performance. Net sales of the comparable retail segment increased by 7.1 per centat Free People, by6.7 per cent at Anthropologie, and 9.3 per cent at Urban Outfitters.Net sales of the Nuuly segment rose by 62.6 per cent as the average number of members increased by 55 per cent increase in the average number of active members.
Net sales in the wholesale category also increased by 15.1 per cent. This was largely driven by a 17.5% increase in sales at Free People, although this was slightly offset by a decline in sales at Urban Outfitters.
During the first half of the year, Urban Outfitters expanded its retail footprint by opening 19 new locations, including nine Free People stores, five Urban Outfitters stores, and five Anthropologie stores. Simultaneously, the company closed nine retail locations, comprising four Urban Outfitters stores, three Anthropologie stores, and two Free People stores.
Inspired by India’s rich textile heritage and craftsmanship, the handcrafted apparel and home decor brand Abraham & Thakore, led by David Abraham, RakeshThakore, and Kevin Nigli, has introduced a new home décor range offering wallpapers, soft furnishings, bed linens, ceramics, and wall art, all designed to bring the beauty of local craftsmanship into everyday living.
The collection is inspired by the brand’s desire to create home decor range that highlights the art of Indian craftsmanship, seamlessly integrating it into daily life. Through this collection, the designers aimed to envision the effects of traditional craft on daily life.
Known for their distinct, instantly recognisable style, Abraham &Thakore’s designs are refined yet relaxed, blending contemporary sensibilities with a deep appreciation for cultural history. The brand’s creations are characterised by strong principles of proportion, form, and volume, paired with a clean color palette of blocks and monochromes. This new home living range continues their commitment to simplicity and essentials.
Materiality plays a central role in this collection, guiding the designers’ vision to ensure that each piece authentically reflects the creative intent. The handmade touch is evident throughout the range. Soft, neutral linens set the tone for dining, while ceramics celebrate traditional Indian textile patterns. In collaboration with Obeetee Carpets, a legacy rug design brand, the collection includes sophisticated carpets, covers, and cushions featuring revered crafts such as ikat and kantha, rendered on soft tussar fabric. The walls come alive with evocative creations that highlight multiple heritage crafting techniques, unified by a powerful motif—the dot, which may seem insignificant until it’s not.
With this collection, Abraham &Thakore meticulously adapt intricate traditional practices to a contemporary palette, making the designs suitable for modern living spaces. With this launch, they aim to extend their collection’s reach into both domestic and institutional settings, infusing everyday life with cultural significance and pushing the boundaries of heritage celebration in contemporary design.
In a new move, the government has extended the implementation of the Quality Control Order (QCO) on cotton yet again, now expected to take effect from August 2025. This decision underscores the complexities surrounding QCO implementation and its diverse impact on different segments of the Indian textile industry. This deferment is in response to opposition from the country's ginning sector, which is unable to meet the stringent quality standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The QCO, designed to improve the quality of cotton exports, requires ginning units to invest in modern machinery to meet specifications for moisture, trash, and other factors. However, many of these units are small and medium-sized enterprises that struggle to afford these upgrades. While QCOs on polyester, viscose fiber, and other synthetic products are already in place, the repeated deferrals for cotton highlight the unique challenges faced by this natural fiber.
QCO on cotton, a delayed reality
The QCO on cotton, initially planned for 2023, has been repeatedly postponed, reflecting strong opposition from the ginning industry, largely composed of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The stringent quality standards mandated by the QCO necessitate substantial investments in modernization, are a hurdle for many MSMEs.
Experts say, QCO on cotton is a good move but its implementation needs to be gradual and supportive of MSMEs. They feel, the government should provide financial assistance and technological support to enable ginning units to upgrade their facilities
It may be recalled, the Cotton Association of India (CAI) and other industry groups had petitioned the government to delay the implementation of the QCO, arguing that a gradual rollout would be more feasible. The government has now agreed to this approach, postponing the effective date to August 27, 2025. This extension provides the ginning industry with additional time to modernize their operations and comply with the QCO's requirements. It also raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the industry and the potential impact on India's cotton exports.
Impact on imports from China
In fact, this delay in implementation has created a contrasting scenario where QCOs on synthetics are already operational, while cotton remains exempt. The QCOs on synthetics have led to a notable decline in imports, particularly from China. This decline is attributed to the stringent quality standards and the requirement for Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for imported inputs. The following table provides a snapshot of the import trend:
Table: QCQ’s impact on synthetic imports
|
Import item |
Pre-QCO import volume (2022-23) |
Post-QCO import volume (2023-24) |
Change |
|
Polyester Staple Fibre (PSF) |
150,000 tonnes (approx.) |
90,000 tonnes (approx.) |
-40% |
|
Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF) |
80,000 tonnes (approx.) |
50,000 tonnes (approx.) |
-37.50% |
Meanwhile, the absence of a QCO on cotton has resulted in a relatively stable import trend from China. However, the impending implementation in 2025 is likely to disrupt this trend.
Impact on India's export competence
While QCOs aim to improve product quality, the increased cost of raw materials due to limited imports and the complexities of BIS certification have impacted the competitiveness of Indian synthetic textile exporters. As experts opine, the QCOs have pushed the synthetic sector towards better quality, but the cost implications are significant. Result: India is losing ground in price-sensitive markets.
However, the current scenario, with no QCO on cotton, offers a temporary advantage to Indian cotton exporters. However, the looming implementation of QCO raises concerns about potential cost escalations and their impact on export competitiveness.
Impact on prices
The reduction in imports and high compliance costs has led to a rise in synthetic fiber prices.
Table: Rising price of synthetics
|
Fiber type |
Pre-QCO price (Rs/kg) (Jan 2023) |
Current price (Rs/kg) (Aug 2024) |
Change |
|
Polyester Staple Fibre (PSF) |
120 |
150 |
+25% |
|
Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF) |
180 |
220 |
+22.2% |
Source: Textile Commissioner’s Office
Interestingly, cotton prices have remained relatively stable due to the absence of a QCO. However, the anticipation of its implementation has led to some speculative price increases.
The implementation of QCOs highlights a critical juncture for the Indian textile industry. While the intent is to increase product quality and enhance consumer confidence, the diverse impact on cotton and synthetics underscores the need for a nuanced approach. Striking a balance between quality standards and the practical challenges faced by different segments of the industry is imperative.
The government's decision to extend the QCO on cotton provides a window for further deliberation and preparation. The success of QCO implementation hinges on collaborative efforts between the government, industry stakeholders, and technology providers to ensure a smooth transition toward a quality-driven textile ecosystem that fosters both domestic growth and global competitiveness.
Note: Statistics in this article are collated from different sources
