The global apparel market, that has been experiencing a slowdown in growth since 2009, is now showing signs of recovery and sales are expected to exceed $1.4 trillion this year, according to a study conducted by an e-commerce and marketing agency in China. The US market is projected to represent 1/5th of the total which translates into more than $300 billion while the sales of women's apparel are on track and is expected to command 40 per cent of total apparel sales worldwide, reports the Shanghai-based agency, Sinointeractive.

The agency also found out that the purchasing habits of young women, the most important contributors to overall sales, have been changing and that they are becoming more and more sensitive to the price. The research report said 54.6% of women in the 18 to 35 age bracket in America buy their clothes online and the price-performance ratio is the most important factor influencing their decision to purchase.