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The premium apparel industry is thriving, with a market size of $422 billion in 2023 and a projected CAGR of 3.8 per cent to reach $547 billion by 2030. This growth is fueled by several factors.
The rise of social media has been a game-changer. Luxury brands are leveraging these platforms to connect with consumers on a deeper level, fostering emotional connections through powerful branding. Additionally, globalization and rising disposable incomes worldwide are expanding the market's reach and potential.
However, the industry faces challenges. The blurring lines between luxury and mass-market offerings due to the "democratization" of fashion can impact the perceived value of premium brands. Furthermore, easy online access to product information threatens the aura of exclusivity traditionally associated with luxury.
Despite these challenges, exciting opportunities lie ahead. Emerging markets like China present significant growth potential for premium apparel. Brands can also capitalize on this growth by employing targeted marketing strategies – understanding consumer preferences and leveraging celebrity endorsements and brand culture can be key drivers of success.
The market encompasses North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. Clothing, a core component of self-expression, dominates the premium apparel market. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for high-quality clothing that reflects their unique style and status. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
The second-hand apparel market is expected to rise past $284 billion by 2030, fueled by a growing taste for sustainable and affordable clothing. This segment, valued at $71 billion in 2022, is projected to rise at over 14.8 per cent annually.
The trend is driven by several factors. The booming e-commerce market offers convenient platforms for buying and selling pre-loved clothes. Consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious, seeking ways to reduce textile waste and embrace sustainable fashion.
Affordability plays a major role too, with second-hand clothes offering budget-friendly alternatives to traditional retail. The chance to find quality branded items at lower prices is another big draw.
However, challenges remain. The presence of counterfeit goods can erode consumer trust and hinder market growth. Additionally, rapidly changing fashion trends require market players to adapt quickly to fluctuations in demand.
Despite these hurdles, the future looks bright for second-hand apparel. Regions like the Middle East and Africa, with their high demand for affordable clothing, are expected to see significant growth. Europe, with its established thrift culture, is another promising market.
Recent developments underscore the trend. In 2022, H&M launched a pre-owned clothing initiative, while Farfetch partnered with a charity to promote clothing donation. As sustainability and affordability continue to be key drivers, the second-hand apparel market is poised for a long and fashionable runway.
The West Bengal garment industry is set to thrive with the 56th Garment Fair and B2B Expo, held from July 1-3, 2024, at Biswa Bangla (Milan Mela), Kolkata. Organized by the West Bengal Garment Manufacturers and Dealers Association (WBGMDA), the event is expected to generate Rs 850-900 crore in business with the participation of 900 national and international brands.
This significant event underscores its impact on the state's economy, marked by the presence of government officials and key industry figures. Inaugurated by Chandrima Bhattacharya, Finance Minister of West Bengal, and Sujit Bose, Minister of State for Fire, the expo gathered notable personalities such as Pradeep Kumar Nandy, Nirmal Jain, and Ram Chandra Agarwal, among others.
WBGMDA, with 58 years of industry service, has consistently facilitated B2B exhibitions and garment fairs to strengthen the global textile supply chain and support the growth of MSMEs. The non-retail event has evolved into a key meeting point for prominent businesses in Eastern India, significantly contributing to the GDP and job creation.
DevendraBaid, Hony. Secretary of WBGMDA, highlighted the event's longstanding success and the association's role in bolstering the readymade garment sector amid economic fluctuations. President HariKishanRathi emphasized the support received over the years and expressed hope for creating a sustainable environment for future generations, with this meet offering fresh opportunities for all participants.
Despite the textile industry showing recovery signs, garment companies in India continue to adopt a cautious outlook as they await a boost in the momentum of their order books.
As per a report by Avendus Spark, cotton prices in India continue to be lower than global prices, aiding cotton spinners in increasing their volumes. In Q4, FY24, the sector's revenue grew by about 8 percent Y-o-Y, although a 5 percent drop in yarn prices limited overall growth. With cotton prices stabilising, value growth is expected to align with volume growth soon.
Home textile companies reported a strong quarter, with 16 percent growth in value, as Indian exporters gained market share. Despite challenges from price fluctuations, garment manufacturers reported a 4 percent revenue growth, and cotton spinners enjoyed robust margin expansion due to higher utilisation and stable cotton prices.
Indian cotton-related exports rose by 20 percent sequentially and 18 percent Y-o-Y despite a brief period where Indian cotton prices were lower than global prices. Currently, Indian cotton prices are about 13 percent higher than global prices. Garment manufacturers saw EBITDA margins improve by 177 basis points in 4QFY24 due to lower input costs, with vertically integrated players reporting better margin growth.
Home textile companies outperformed with a 15 percent Y-o-Y growth in revenues due to strong demand and increased exports, with India's market share in US cotton sheet imports reaching an all-time high of 62 percent. However, EBITDA margins fell by 80 basis points, suggesting a potential slowdown in volume demand.
Revenues from the man-made staple fibers (MMSF) sector grew by 5 percent Y-o-Y. However, cheaper imports from countries like China and Bangladesh led to pricing pressures. Capacity constraints limited volume growth for MMSF players, though several companies plan to increase capacity in the coming quarters. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is expected to encourage further investments in MMSF yarn production.
The maiden edition of the Textiles Recycling Expo, from June 04-05, 2024 in Brussels, will address the growing issue of textile waste. This first-of-its-kind expo will focus on the recycling of fabrics, clothing, footwear, fibers, and non-wovens.
Free to attend and fostering collaboration, the expo welcomes a global audience across the entire textile supply chain. This includes leading recyclers, waste managers, textile manufacturers, clothing suppliers, retailers, and other relevant stakeholders.
Driven by new regulations and consumer demands, the expo aims to find solutions for diverting textile waste from landfills. Industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders will convene at a high-level conference to discuss the future of sustainable textiles.
The expo will showcase innovative solutions for textile waste reduction, featuring the latest sorting, shredding, and recycling technologies. Attendees can also meet with textile recyclers, fiber manufacturers using recycled materials, and companies at the forefront of this movement. Supported by leading industry organisations, the Textiles Recycling Expo will beorganised by AMI, a leader in international recycling events.
After navigating the economic hurdles of 2023, Vietnam's textile and garment exports are showing signs of recovery. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam reached US $11 billion in the first five months of this year, marking a 2 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI). This uptick in FDI underscores renewed business opportunities within the country.
VIATT 2025: A platform for growth
To capitalize on these opportunities, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT) will return from February 26-28, 2025, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC). Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., the event organizer, promises an enhanced experience based on feedback from the inaugural edition.
Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., highlighted that feedback from the first edition of VIATT has motivated the organizers to enhance next year’s fair. Shea emphasized the optimism surrounding Vietnam's improving business environment and expressed confidence in VIATT 2025's potential to effectively support and amplify the renewed growth of the country's textile industry.
Sustainability and innovation at the forefront
VIATT 2025 aims to highlight sustainability and technological advancements within the textile industry. The fair will feature an Econogy Hub, dedicated to sustainability in textiles, and an Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone, showcasing AI design, digital manufacturing, and big data analytics.
The inaugural edition of VIATT attracted 409 exhibitors and 17,262 visitors from 55 countries and regions. The 2025 edition will continue to feature a diverse range of exhibitors across apparel, home textiles, and technical textiles sectors.
Apparel fabrics & fashion
Vietnam's textile and garment exports grew by 6.3 per cent year-on-year to over US $10 billion in the first four months of 2024, with the US, EU, South Korea, China, and Japan being the top markets. To meet this demand, Vietnam's textile industry imports significant raw materials. At VIATT 2024, yarns, fibers, fabrics for casual wear, sportswear, uniforms, and garment accessories were in high demand.
Vietnam's home textile market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.4 per cent from 2024 to 2032, driven by increasing demand for modern home textiles, e-commerce expansion, and favorable government initiatives. VIATT 2025 will feature products like bedding, loungewear, bathroom textiles, curtains, upholstery, and home textile accessories.
Technical textiles & technologies
Investors in the textile industry are focusing on optimizing production capacity, streamlining supply chains, and enhancing product quality to stay competitive. The Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone at VIATT 2025 will showcase textile and nonwoven machinery, CAD/CAM, CMT, and technology for embroidery, knitting, sewing, and printing.
Global connections and trade
VIATT 2025 aims to leverage the participation of over 50 textile fairs organized by Messe Frankfurt in 13 countries. This network will enable the fair to serve as a platform for connecting Vietnamese businesses with international players, facilitating cross-border trade, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.
The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE), covering the entire textile industry value chain. The event is expected to further bolster Vietnam's position in the global textile market, aligning with the country's economic and environmental goals.
Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel has launched the RCY 99xx series, a new line of recycled polyester (rPET) shirt interlinings, marking a sustainable evolution of its renowned 95xx series. The 95xx series, famous for its bi-elastic properties, has been a market leader for over two decades, known for its quality and performance.
The RCY 99xx series, crafted from rPET, aims to meet contemporary sustainability demands without compromising on quality. These bi-elastic interlinings are compatible with a wide range of fabrics, including pure cotton, T/C, flannel, oxford, cotton-linen blends, seersucker, jersey, and various stretch knits. They maintain the natural feel, texture, and shape of these fabrics while enhancing shirt design with innovative features.
Available in weights ranging from 30 to 150 grams per square meter, the RCY 99xx series caters to diverse shirt styles such as men's casual shirts, women's blouses, polo shirts, sports shirts, and denim shirts. This versatility allows designers and manufacturers to address evolving market demands while adhering to sustainability principles.
Freudenberg's House of Sustainability supports customers in achieving their sustainability goals by driving innovation in garment manufacturing. The RCY 99xx series exemplifies this commitment, offering responsible products for every season and reinforcing Freudenberg Apparel's dedication to sustainable impact.
Valued at $26.65 billion in 2022, the global spinning machinery market is projected to grow at a 7.2 per cent CAGR to reach $45.80 billion by 2030.
As per a report by Whatech, offering abundant opportunities to manufacturers, suppliers and end-users, the spinning machinery market aims to enhance productivity, quality, and sustainability in textile production. The demand for sustainable and eco-friendly textiles is particularly driving market growth, encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient technologies like servo motors and automated control systems. Industry 4.0 technologies, such as IoT sensors and artificial intelligence, further enhance process optimization and predictive maintenance in spinning operations, catering to the trend of customization and personalization in textile products.
Key drivers of market growth include population growth, rising disposable incomes, and technological advancements in spinning technologies like rotor spinning and compact spinning. Sustainability concerns also push demand for spinning machinery with energy-saving features and eco-friendly materials. However, challenges such as fluctuating raw material prices, complex spinning processes, and regulatory requirements pose hurdles to market expansion.
Despite these challenges, the spinning machinery market continues to expand, driven by technological innovation, market diversification, and evolving consumer trends. Strategic collaborations and investments in research and development are expected to further accelerate growth, making spinning machinery a cornerstone of industrial excellence and innovation in the global textile industry.
The Benetton Group has named Claudio Sforza has its new Chief Executive Officer.
Having previously held senior positions at major corporations including Astaldi, Poste, and the Ilva Group, Sforza began her career in Administration and Finance at Pfizer, followed by advancements in the telecommunications sector. She is a graduate of La Sapienza University in Rome, where he earned a degree in Economics & Commerce.
A global fashion brand, the Benetton Group is based in Ponzano Veneto, Italy. The group was founded in 1965 and has a network of about 5,000 stores worldwide. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Benetton family’s holding company Edizione. The Group has a consolidated identity comprised of colour, authentic fashion, quality at democratic prices and passion for its work: these values are reflected in the the strong, dynamic personality of the brands United Colors of Benetton and Sisley.
In FY24, the share of India's yarn exports to China rose to 21 per cent in FY24from 10 per cent in FY23.
This increase was boosted by the competitive pricing of Indian cotton yarn alongwith concerns surrounding Xinjiang cotton production, which led global markets to seek alternatives from India. Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam collectively accounted for 60 per cent of India's cotton yarn exports.
During the fiscal year, India’s cotton yarn exports soared by 83 per cent, driving the share of yarn exports to 32 per cent of India's total production, up from 19 per cent in FY23. This growth was pivotal in mitigating domestic market challenges, where subdued demand persisted despite a 9 per cent increase in overall cotton yarn production.
Meanwhile, domestic cotton fiber prices, after peaking in the first half of FY23, declined by 25 per cent in FY24 due to weaker demand in the domestic market. Looking ahead, despite a projected 6 per cent reduction in cotton fiber production for 2024 due to decreased sown areas, the carry-over surplus from previous years is expected to stabilize prices.
The ongoing Red Sea conflicts had minimal impact on cotton yarn exports, as most shipments were directed to stable markets like Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam. However, prolonged conflict could potentially disrupt apparel export volumes, thereby indirectly affecting cotton yarn export volumes and prices.
For FY25, domestic spinners anticipate a modest volume growth of 4-6 per cent, driven by increased exports to Bangladesh and China. This outlook is supported by competitive yarn pricing and a gradual recovery in export demand, while domestic consumption remains subdued.
