Global Market for Sports and Fitness Clothing is Projected to Reach US$196.2 Billion by 2020

Growing Participation in Sports & Fitness Activities Drives Demand for Sports and Fitness Clothing, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA launches comprehensive analysis of industry segments, trends, growth drivers, market share, market size and demand forecasts on the global Sports and Fitness Clothing market. Global market for Sports and Fitness Clothing is projected to reach US$196.2 billion by 2020, driven by increasing participation in sports and fitness activities.

Sports apparel or sports clothing comprises sports or sports-inspired apparel that is worn for sports or casual and leisure activities. In addition to sporting events, demand in the market is also driven by the rising popularity of trendy activewear. Opportunities in the market are primarily attributed to the growing focus on healthy lifestyles in both developed and developing markets coupled with technological innovations aimed at enhancing user comfort and performance. Given consumers desire to make a fashion statement even with workout clothes, fitness clothing today epitomizes functionality combined with style and design. The desire to look fashionable and well groomed has permeated into the world of fitness clothing thus encouraging the development of sophisticated athletic fabrics.

Women are emerging into a lucrative target audience, given their increased involvement in newer sports and fitness activities such as yoga and aerobics. The market for plus size fitness and active wear is expected to grow rapidly as more number of obese or overweight people take to exercises to manage weight. Multi-purpose use of workout apparel is gaining significance in metropolitan cities. The number of people who use activewear, including yoga pants and sweat pants for purposes other than working out or yoga is on rise. The blurring lines of differentiation between sports and fitness clothing for casual, business, everyday and street wear is a continuing trend in the sports apparel market. Despite the opportunities for growth, key challenges in the market include seasonality of demand, rapidly changing consumer tastes and preferences and economic pressures in certain markets.

As stated by the new market research report on Sports and Fitness Clothing, Europe represents the largest market worldwide. Asia-Pacific ranks as the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 7.1% over the analysis period. Increasing awareness over health and fitness, favorable demographics, rise in income levels and Westernization of lifestyles are some of the factors driving growth in the region. The region has also emerged as the production hub for sports apparel due to cheaper labor, and raw material costs.

Major players in the marketplace include ASICS Corporation, adidas Group, Reebok International Ltd., Bravada International., HanesBrands Inc., Kappa, lululemon athletica Inc., Nike Inc., Puma SE, Under Armour Inc., and VF Corporation, among others. 

The research report titled "Sports and Fitness Clothing: A Global Strategic Business Report" announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of trends, issues, competitive overview, market share data, and strategic industry activities of major companies worldwide. The report provides market estimates and projections in US dollars for major geographic markets such as the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific, Latin America and Rest of World. Product segments analyzed include Sports Apparel and Fitness Clothing.