Apparel and footwear specialists saw current value growth in South Africa in 2024. The channel faced challenging operating conditions towards the end of the review period due to inflationary pressures affecting consumers’ disposable income. As a result, demand was driven primarily by a focus on value for money, allowing for the expansion of second-hand offerings online. This trend was bolstered by the momentum gained by emerging platforms such as Yaga and the increased demand for affordable and

After experiencing post-pandemic growth during the previous two years, apparel and footwear specialists in Germany recorded value sales decline in 2024, forcing many retailers to close or scale back underperforming stores. This decline reflected the broader cost of living pressures due to persistent, albeit decelerated, inflation, encouraging consumers to postpone non-urgent fashion purchases. In particular, consumers who made purchases in previous years and remained both price- and environmenta

Apparel and footwear specialists in Mexico struggled in 2024. Reports reveal that clothing manufacturing in Mexico recorded a substantial decrease from July 2024, with leather, fur and leather substitute products suffering the worst performance in the fashion industry. The manufacture of textile supplies has also been in decline. This is reflected in prices for the consumer, as the industry closed 2024 with a sustained increase in prices, surpassing general inflation in Mexico per the National C

Morocco’s apparel and footwear sector witnessed intensifying competition in 2024, as shifting consumer preferences and macroeconomic pressures reshaped the retail environment. While physical stores continue to attract shoppers through visual merchandising and tactile experiences, rising production costs and customs duties have pushed retail prices upwards. This has led to a growing number of consumers – especially younger and budget-conscious shoppers – turning to second-hand markets such as “Jo

Leading apparel and footwear specialists such as Chicorée are adopting new services like click and collect and self-checkouts as they look to compete more fiercely with pure e-commerce players. However, the category was impacted by the exit of important retailer Esprit which went bankrupt. This also negatively affected the company’s retail partners which carried a huge assortment of Esprit products.

Apparel and footwear specialist retailers in Nigeria struggled under the weight of persistent economic pressures in 2024. Currency depreciation made imports more expensive, raising unit prices and limiting access to affordable apparel, as many retailers depend on either imported goods or imported textiles for local production. As a result, although value sales rose in current terms, growth remained negative in constant terms. Informal retail channels – particularly second-hand markets and smuggl

Apparel and footwear specialists in India maintained growth in both outlet numbers and value sales in 2024. However, the channel has been a witnessing a dual shift – premium global tie-ups, and rising demand for affordable fashion. Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd has partnered with Galeries Lafayette to bring 200 luxury brands to India, while Bata India Ltd secured a licensing deal with Nine West to expand its premium women’s footwear. However, at the same time, demand for affordable fashion i

Apparel and footwear specialists in the United Arab Emirates continued to record positive value growth in 2024, supported by the local market’s positioning as an attractive shopping destination. Infrastructure development and a diversified population continued to encourage store expansion plans, and an influx of new entrants targeting both local consumers and inbound tourists annually visiting the United Arab Emirates. The channel’s performance was also supported by the steady increase in the po

Apparel and footwear in Egypt faced ongoing economic headwinds in 2024, including currency depreciation and rising inflation, both of which have constrained household budgets. Despite these challenges, the channel recorded steady growth, supported by increasing demand for value-for-money propositions. As more consumers traded down, local brands and retailers offering competitively priced collections gained traction. The growing popularity of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services also supported purc

In 2024, apparel and footwear specialists in the UK experienced marginal value growth, as consumer spending remained stable despite ongoing economic challenges. Pent-up demand for fashion continued to drive purchases, particularly for occasion wear and seasonal collections following the resumption of social events and travel. The combination of in-store and online shopping also supported growth, with retailers enhancing omnichannel experiences to meet consumer expectations for convenience and fl

2024 was another difficult year for apparel and footwear specialists with sales continuing to decline in current value terms, which led to further outlet closures. Prevailing economic uncertainty has led Danish consumers to become more cautious with their spending with people prioritising essential purchases over discretionary items like apparel and footwear. Risen energy prices, high interest rates, and inflation have placed additional financial strain on households, prompting them to reassess

Apparel and footwear specialists saw modest current value growth in Ukraine in 2024. During the year, the channel experienced considerable development, with both international and domestic brands expanding their presence. Despite the challenges posed by the war, the retail market showed signs of recovery, and retailers adopted strategic approaches to expansion. Retailers focused on strategically opening new stores in areas with a high concentration of their target audience. International compani

Apparel and footwear specialists in the Czech Republic continued to grow at a healthy rate in 2024, albeit slower than the peaks recorded in 2021 and 2022 and slightly lower than in 2023, as the category rebounded from the COVID-19 slump. Moreover, at constant 2024 prices, retail value growth was only slight in 2024. Towards the end of the review period the volume of purchases dipped as high inflation exerted strong economic pressure on households. Many consumers reduced their spending on appare

Apparel and footwear specialists in Japan saw minimal current value growth in 2024, despite a marginal decline in outlet numbers. As apparel and footwear e-commerce continued to grow, offline sales remained fairly stagnant. The online market, while fragmented, offers a rich selection of overseas brands that are not found in physical stores. One notable trend is the rise of Asian fast fashion, which has garnered significant support, particularly amongst younger consumers. For instance, the online

In 2024, apparel and footwear specialists in Slovakia experienced positive retail value growth. Despite a challenging economic environment, fast fashion brands continued to expand. Slovaks became increasingly attracted to price discounts and deals, which influenced how apparel and footwear specialists conducted their business. To attract consumers to retail stores, offering value-for-money options alongside high-quality brands and appealing price promotions was essential. While inflation continu

Apparel and footwear specialists in South Korea has stabilised, with outlet numbers remaining relatively unchanged for a second year in 2024, after previous declines. Meanwhile, current value sales saw a second year of only marginal growth. Although sales still fell short of the pre-pandemic (2019) level, they continued to grow, largely driven by the increasing demand for affordable fashion amidst rising inflation. Fast fashion brands have capitalised on economic pressures, offering trendy, budg

Purchasing apparel and footwear is deemed discretionary, and therefore apparel and footwear specialists in Australia were impacted by the cost-of-living crisis at the end of the review period, recording a second consecutive year of weak value growth in 2024. Prolonged economic uncertainty has resulted in evolved spending norms, with purchasing decisions becoming increasingly strategic and intentional. Consumers are looking to reduce their spending to better manage their budgets, often waiting fo

Apparel and footwear specialists in Singapore saw a notable sales decline in 2024. Various factors contributed to this setback, including the rising cost of living and an economic climate that is making consumers reluctant to spend on non-essential items. Local shoppers, grappling with increasing financial pressures, have started to cut back on discretionary expenses within apparel and footwear specialists. Additionally, the Singapore dollar’s relative strength and the return of international tr

Apparel and footwear specialists in Saudi Arabia continue to face a challenging operating environment due to cautious consumer spending among middle and low income groups. The industry is negatively impacted by rising operating costs and limited human resources, as more companies aim to align with the government's Saudization plans. Additionally, many companies are restructuring their operations in the aftermath of the pandemic, leading to a steady decline in the number of outlets. Fawaz Alhokai

Apparel and footwear specialists saw a slight fall in value sales in current terms in 2024. One of the main contributors to this decline was the performance of independent players. The weakening purchasing power of consumers and the continued shift of sales to online channels had a negative impact on these brands, because they tend to target middle- to lower-income consumers. As these consumers focused their reduced spending power on essential items, apparel and footwear sales were pushed down t

Retail value sales through apparel and footwear specialists in Hong Kong experienced a decline in 2024 to remain below pre-pandemic levels, despite an uptick the previous year. An unstable economic landscape in Hong Kong, with salary freezes during the annual Policy Address, in addition to an announcement of planned economic measures, have impacted consumer confidence, creating headwinds for spending on non-essential items. Many consumers decided to invest less in apparel and footwear, preferrin

Apparel and footwear specialists saw a steep slump in sales in Portugal in 2024, due to changing consumer behaviour. Specifically, consumers are noted to be spending more on experiences such as holidays and travel, and less so on products which they deem to be non-essential. Added to which, there is a rising trend for sustainable and circular fashion (e.g., second-hand options) over fast fashion per se, alongside strong and rising competition from retail e-commerce channels, which is adding an a

While inflation started to slow in 2024, consumers were still grappling with higher costs of living, which negatively impacted consumer spending at apparel and footwear specialist stores. To manage higher living expenses, consumers traded down to cheaper alternatives for clothing and footwear and refrained from purchasing higher end brands. While the category is selling an essential product, it is not essential to purchase specific brands or from a specialist retailer. Consumers can find cheaper

One big story making waves in apparel and footwear specialists in Taiwan in 2024 is the fact that Chinese e-commerce giant Taobao has announced free shipping for purchases made in Taiwan, significantly enhancing the shopping experience for consumers looking for clothing options. This strategic move broadens the range of products available to Taiwanese shoppers and also introduces a competitive pressure on existing platforms like Shopee and local brands. With the elimination of shipping costs, Ta