Apparel and footwear navigates consumer comfort, sportswear boom, and digital retail
Apparel and footwear in China exhibited a slow growth trajectory in 2025, driven by consumer demand for comfort and self-satisfaction, with particularly strong growth for sportswear. Consumer spending was supported by the rising median household disposable income, and sales were driven by steady economic conditions and the growing enthusiasm for exercise and sports. Although Anta (China) Co Ltd extended its leading position in 2025, the competitive landscape remained fragmented. The rise of retail e-commerce, particularly on platforms like Douyin, further shaped sales. Slow and stable growth is anticipated in the forecast period, and brands are expected to focus on innovation, sustainability, and direct-to-consumer strategies to succeed.
Delivery:
Files are delivered directly into your account soon after payment is received and any tax certification is verified (where applicable).
This report comes in PDF with additional info in Excel included.
Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Apparel and Footwear industry in China with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Childrenswear
- Apparel and Accessories
- Menswear
- Womenswear
- Jeans
- Hosiery
- Footwear
- Sportswear
If you're in the Apparel and Footwear industry in China, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Apparel and Footwear in China report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Apparel and Footwear in China?
- Which are the leading brands in China?
- How are products distributed in China?
- How is the rise of e-commerce shaping demand?
- What % of apparel and footwear sales are made via grocery retailers?
- Do consumers want premium quality or fast fashion?
- How will COVID-19 and recession impact demand?
- How important is sustainability in Apparel and Footwear in China?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Apparel and Footwear in China
Apparel and footwear navigates consumer comfort, sportswear boom, and digital retail
Growth is driven by economic conditions, rational purchases, and technological innovation
Sportswear drives growth in apparel and footwear through innovation
Market polarisation affects value growth
Rising incomes, DTC strategies, and sustainability expected to drive growth
Functional and athletic apparel set to gain further popularity among women
Niche brands to drive growth in footwear through innovation
Anta's multi-category coverage, brand strategy, and distribution extend its leading position
In a stable environment, opportunities for enhancing products and marketing
Interest-based e-commerce platform Douyin takes share from Tmall
Quick commerce gains traction with 30-minute delivery
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
Childrenswear in China
KEY DATA FINDINGS
High-quality, functional products fuel value growth in childrenswear in China
Sales driven by demographic and socioeconomic factors
Balabala drives sales with targeted products and high-end strategy
Outdoor style drives innovation with functional designs
Further age segmentation drives growth in childrenswear
An increasing number of parents likely to prioritise sustainable childrenswear
Emotional value and high functionality to drive sales of childrenswear
Balabala maintains its lead in a fragmented competitive landscape
zosee's innovative edge propels rapid growth in childrenswear
Youngor's Bonpoint acquisition set to boost luxury childrenswear in China
Retail e-commerce leads childrenswear with new business models
Omnichannel presence becomes key for childrenswear brands
Apparel Accessories in China
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Apparel accessories thrives on practicality and sustainability despite economic headwinds
Resale expansion threatens primary sales of apparel accessories
Essential and adaptable – key growth drivers in apparel accessories
Value growth amidst shifting consumer demands and economic headwinds
Rising demand for style and practicality, but resale and rental trends set to hamper growth
Sustainability and digital innovation will increasingly shape the future of apparel accessories
Luxury brands consolidate their presence while the low-end fragments
Challengers gain ground through innovative strategies and lower pricing
Retail e-commerce leads sales of apparel accessories in China
The enduring appeal of physical stores for purchases of apparel accessories
Menswear in China
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Value, functionality, and e-commerce drive growth in menswear, although polarisation is seen
Amidst a cautious economic climate, a shift in consumer priorities is seen
Men's outerwear drives sales as consumers prioritise essentials
Value growth to persist amidst volume decline, driven by income rise and essentials
“New Chinese Style” to gain cultural confidence through modern silhouettes
Functional features will be demanded in menswear
Challengers erode incumbents' share through digital agility
Hermès and Basement FG illustrate market polarisation in China
Competitive pricing contributes to the lead of retail e-commerce in menswear
Offline resilience meets low-cost disruption, demanding retailer adaptation
Biemlfdlkk merges practical features with a relaxed aesthetic
Womenswear in China
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Moderate growth amidst caution, driven by digital challengers, and "New Chinese Style"
Moderate growth in 2025 driven by rising incomes, but constrained by consumer caution
Digital-native brands capture budget-conscious young consumers
Rising disposable incomes and “New Chinese Style” to drive future growth
Digital commerce and omnichannel strategies to dictate sales
Business impact of emerging trends
Leaders offer extensive retail networks, while polarisation is seen
Digital-native challengers and omnichannel strategies will require adaptation by incumbents
Retail e-commerce offers convenience and good prices for womenswear
As offline sales remain significant, an omnichannel strategy is important
Travel and tourism drive innovation in resortwear designs
Jeans in China
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Nostalgia, durability, and digital drive growth in jeans in China
Consumers prioritise durability and nostalgic styles
Standard jeans leads as these are staple apparel
Growth will be driven by super premium jeans, sales by standard jeans
Jeans will be shaped by nostalgia and functionality
The importance of retail e-commerce in jeans
Digital-native brands gain traction, but Levi’s holds strong
Polarisation, with both value-focused and premium brands performing well
Emerging brands disrupt market with innovative strategies
Retail e-commerce leads jeans with enhanced mobile experiences
Offline sales remain important for fit and touch
ICICLE's sustainable and inclusive designs drive innovation in jeans
Hosiery in China
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Emotional value and omnichannel strategies drive growth for hosiery
Non-sheer hosiery dominates value sales of hosiery in China through high volumes
Bananain's emotional appeal boosts sales of hosiery through innovative marketing
A continued shift to non-sheer hosiery as consumers prioritise wellness and individuality
Women's equality and changing dress codes redefine fashion norms
Functional hosiery set to gain traction among sports enthusiasts
Nan Ji Ren maintains its lead through a cost-performance strategy
Opportunities for growth for players offering budget and high-value hosiery
Retail e-commerce leads hosiery with its diverse product range and affordable prices
New retail concepts emerge with innovative strategies
New materials drive functional innovation in hosiery
Footwear in China
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Moderate growth driven by innovation, sustainability, and evolving consumer trends
Growth is sustained by rising spending power and consumer confidence
Women's footwear leads sales, but children’s footwear leads growth
Chinese urbanites embrace Birkenstock's casual lifestyle appeal
Growth set to continue, with new national standard impacting green products
Brand-building will be increasingly important to attract younger consumers
Rising health consciousness will make sports footwear more popular across categories
Anta draws closer to Nike with strong strategies
On’s strategic expansion drives its growth in China
Retail e-commerce leads distribution as consumers seek convenience
New retail concepts emerge, with innovative store formats
Tariffs and supply chain shifts drive changes in distribution mix
Fila's innovative product launches boost its brand image and sales
Sportswear in China
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Outdoor apparel and footwear propels a sportswear boom amidst fierce competition
Outdoor enthusiasts fuel growth with performance-driven products
Kailas takes advantage of growth in trail running with specialised offerings
Polarisation drives demand for value and premium sportswear
Government support and rising incomes expected to drive growth
Performance-driven products and brand-building will be evident
Nike and adidas hold leading positions amidst intensifying competition
Specialisation and community engagement drive growth for Kailas
Strategic acquisition by Anta Group set to reshape sportswear, particularly outdoor products
Retail e-commerce drives sales of sportswear, but sports goods stores still leads
Specialised retail concepts and livestreaming drive sales growth
Outlet stores redefine the retail experience with elevated concepts
Kailas and TopSports drive innovation with specialised offerings
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Apparel and Footwear
-
-
- Baby and Toddler Wear
- Boys' Apparel
- Girls' Apparel
-
- Belts
- Gloves
- Hats/Caps
- Scarves
- Ties
- Other Apparel Accessories
-
-
- Men's Nightwear
-
-
- Economy Men's Jeans
- Standard Men's Jeans
- Premium Men's Jeans
- Super Premium Men's Jeans
-
- Men's Jackets and Coats
- Men's Jumpers
- Men's Shirts
- Men's Shorts and Trousers
- Men's Suits
- Men's Tops
- Other Men's Outerwear
-
- Men's Swimwear
- Men's Underwear
-
- Women's Nightwear
-
-
- Economy Women's Jeans
- Standard Women's Jeans
- Premium Women's Jeans
- Super Premium Women's Jeans
-
- Women's Dresses
- Women's Jackets and Coats
- Women's Jumpers
- Women's Leggings
- Women's Shirts and Blouses
- Women's Shorts and Trousers
- Women's Skirts
- Women's Suits
- Women's Tops
- Other Women's Outerwear
-
- Women's Swimwear
- Women's Underwear
-
-
- Nightwear
-
-
- Economy Jeans
- Standard Jeans
- Premium Jeans
- Super Premium Jeans
-
- Dresses
- Jackets and Coats
- Jumpers
- Leggings
- Shirts and Blouses
- Shorts and Trousers
- Skirts
- Suits
- Tops
- Other Outerwear
-
- Swimwear
- Underwear
-
- Sheer Hosiery
- Non-Sheer Hosiery
-
-
- Children's Footwear
- Men's Footwear
- Women's Footwear
-
-
- Performance Apparel
- Outdoor Apparel
- Sports-inspired Apparel
-
- Performance Footwear
- Outdoor Footwear
- Sports-inspired Footwear
-
Apparel and Footwear
Apparel is the aggregation of clothing and footwear. This dataset covers retail sales of apparel through both store-based retailers and non-store retailers. Excludes black market sales (i.e. untaxed, generated within informal retailing)and duty free sales (travel retail). Items must be new when sold to the consumer; second-hand/used items are excluded. Antique and/or vintage clothing and footwear is also excluded.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Apparel and Footwear research and analysis database.
NEW REPORT GUARANTEE
If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!