Posts Tagged ‘Overview’

Chinese Lingerie and Intimate Wear Industry Market Overview

Friday, July 2nd, 2010
women intimate apparel

Chinese Lingerie and Intimate Wear Industry Market Overview

Lingerie industry is in a state of intense competition. Fashionable and price friendly lingerie’s are sold by the manufacturers while global brands are looking for new markets. International specialty brands are at their wings; seeking entry into emerging markets for future growth. Current global market for lingerie’s rose by 2.6% to .92 billion USD from 2004 to 2007, while clothing prices dropped down by 4%. China, as an emerging market has seen a growth rate of 8.1% during the same time. Fast fashion retailers are now offering fashionable intimate apparels at lower prices and are undertaking hardcore marketing efforts to sustain their brand image in China. On the other hand, China itself is a major exporter of apparels to the global market at competitive prices.

Chinese Lingerie Market:

Chinese lingerie market is a dynamic sector. Their market structure is composed of many national and international brands, and intimate apparels are brought in by many countries; names unknown to the consumer.

The country’s lingerie market is a fast moving one, and there is a drastic change during the recent past. The lingerie market is estimated to be of a total value of 2 billion euros, and industry experts predict a further positive increase of 20% every year. The country is the third largest for luxury consumption, and is assumed by the market leaders to catch up with the position of Japan in the next 10 years. China is a key player in fabric industry, having good potential for creation and consumption. Major lingerie players in China have reassessed their market positions, and are now closing the knowledge gap to become ‘low cost’ producers.

Integral Apparel in the Wardrobe of Chinese Women:

As Chinese lingerie manufacturers eye the global market, rest of the world eyes China. Shanghai is in the forefront of the lingerie boom. Lingerie is progressively becoming one desirable item in the wardrobe of Chinese women. A survey states that an average Chinese woman spends 8% of their fashion budget on lingerie annually. Though 8% appears to be meager, China is populated with 503 million women and the huge numbers are promising. From lavishness, luxury lingerie’s have now become a wardrobe necessity. A lingerie industry survey states that Chinese population consists of more than 200 million women in the age limit of using lingerie, the annual consumption would go beyond 600 million pieces, reaching a sales figure of 15 million RMB.

Exports-The Lacy Lingerie Race:

Encompassing promising prospects in the global market, lingerie industries in China are actively seeking opportunities to expand its domestic market overseas. On an average, the country exports around 4 billion pieces of lingerie; annually. They export intimate wears mainly to France, US, Japan, and Europe. Export of Chinese bras rose as high as 10.5 million; i.e., 93% after the EU ended a 40 year quota system. China enjoys a good market in US as a lingerie exporter. Its performance is on a high base capturing 25% of exports to US. Despite the restrictions on US exports to China, the communist giant is expected to become the third largest exporter to US. China, enfolded with continuous enhancement in technology, makes it a cost effective destination for other countries to have their production base offshore. China along with India is projected to increase its global market share by 0 million USD each in the next few years.

Leading Intimate Wear Hubs:

The city of Shenzhen is considered as the ‘fashion capital’ of China. It is a pedestal of domestic and foreign intimate wears, designing, R&D, and manufacturing of lingerie’s. The economic benefits acquired and the market size favor Shenzhen and draws continuous attention of the investors. Many popular brands sold in the global market are being exported from the Pearl River Delta, especially Shenzhen. The ‘Sun Hing Group’ who manufacture 70% of its lingerie accessories in Asia, the ‘YKK’, a fortune 500 company, and ‘Regina Miracle’ all have their manufacturing base in Shenzhen. The city has a perfectly formed industry chain starting from design to production, marketing, and sales both at the domestic and export level. A renowned lingerie brand has launched its outlet in Shenzhen especially because of its cluster effect which will enhance brand promotion and boost sales. Two of the popular Chinese lingerie brands come from Shenzhen, and almost 10 internationally reputed lingerie brands have their production base here. Topform, Calvin Klein, Triumph, Regina Miracle, and Victoria’s Secret are a few to name. Embry Form, Xusany, Venies, Ordifen etc are a few domestic brands, having their manufacturing facilities in Shenzhen and enjoy a nation wide reputation.

 


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Branded Intimate Apparel Industry France Market Overview

Sunday, June 13th, 2010
women intimate apparel

Branded Intimate Apparel Industry France Market Overview

In the perspective of lingerie’s, men are only left to wonder, ‘boxers or briefs’ whereas; a woman’s physique being sculpted and adorned in a unique way of its own, offer a wide assortment of choices. The market for women’s wear lingerie is being manipulated by the advent of modern technologies and fabrics that make new designs, and innovative intimate wears. These products have a higher profit margin than any other regular apparel. New trends in lingerie and fabric emerge exclusively from Europe and predominantly from France and Italy. France is at the forefront of fashion lingerie’s. Designers in France give more focus on rich looking fabrics, vibrant hues, laces, and embroideries. Just as their fashion, French lingerie’s also exhibit richness and elaborate embellishments that are preferred worldwide.

French Lingerie Industry Overview

France contributes to the origin of the word ‘lingerie’ which in French means ‘washables’. French lingerie’s come in sophisticated different lines; basic, sexy, and flirty, fitting every season. The designs are akin to both classical and modern look, and make a woman fit in line with the trend, while rendering her to ‘stand out’. They are available in a wide range of materials, tailored efficiently in different cuts and types, styles and colors. Their lingerie making techniques are based on centuries of expertise.

Current lingerie industry in France is valued to be .1 billion USD, and is further expected to increase by 0.8% consecutively for the next five years. French consumers spend about 13 billion euros a year on the purchase of lingerie’s. A lingerie industry survey states that French women spend 20 percent of their fashion budget on lingerie’s. Sale of    lingerie’s account to 18% of total sales of women’s wear apparels in France. On an average, a French woman buys five lingerie’s in a year and one night gown every 19 months. Women in the age group of 15-34 purchase more lingerie items than women of other ages spending .4 annually on the purchase of intimate wears. Women in the age group 50-64 have a bigger budget and spend more than 0 a year for the purchase of lingerie. Much contribution to the lingerie industry comes from the women of this age group. Comfort is the prime consideration behind their purchase. French women are sensitive towards tones, textures, and prefer practical fabrics that are easy to care and non allergic. They like soft fabrics with micro fibers. Corsets, especially brassieres comprise the largest segment in the lingerie market.

Exquisite Brands from the Fashion Capital

Over the past decade market trends have changed offering creative products. Brands like Dolce, Gucci, Dior, and Gabana have expanded their market through these types of products. Several stores and boutiques in France specialize in unique items of French intimate apparels. Agent Provocateur is a classic and couture lingerie brand. US companies have good opportunities in this sector, and have superior brands that appeal to the preferences of the French consumers. Warnaco’s Lejaby, Calvin Klein, & Warner’s, Sara Lees’s Playtex, Dim, & Wonderbra, and VF Diffusion’s Bestform, Lou, Variance, Bolero, & Vassarette, enjoy a good market in France. US are predicted to have a promising market in France as French consumers are becoming more receptive to American fashions.

However, domestic brands do have a strong hold in the French market. The top five intimate apparel brands in France are Lejaby, Simone Perele, Chantelle, Aubade, and Barbara. Domestic brands like Lise Charmel, Ravage, Rien, have a reputed market. Brands of Swear and Audrey have a sales figure three times more than imported lingerie’s. Brands like Pour Moi and Chantelle have achieved good revenues. Sold in more than 50 countries, Chantelle is the top French brand in the world.

What is Hot in the French Lingerie Market

France offers a fashion fiesta of lingerie’s for the fashion savvy women of today. Brassieres with cut seams, molded shape and nave embroideries, transparent body suits, classic demi-cups with underwire, intimate wears in ultra simple shapes with decorated graphics, camisoles with transparency and layering are a few items that sell in the market like hot cakes. Lingerie’s made from fabrics of fine opaque knits, voile knits, organza, blended woven stretch products, and fine tulle fill the stores in France. Cotton, linen, microfibres, laces, and tiny mesh fabrics also have their share in the making of these garments. Appealing intimate apparels in shades of indigo, cobalt lavender, tone-on-tone colors with hues of pink, red, and orange, opaque & translucent white and pastel tones of parma and blue are the shades most sought after by ‘French mademoiselles’. There is a resurgence of fashion of the early 40′s and 50′s among the French designers. Sensual fabrics with subtle lines in complementing hues have made their appearance. Aubade lingerie’s exhibit the grace of the geisha in soft, feminine intimate apparels. Flower motifs supplemented by leavers lace demonstrate an intimate feel.

 

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