Intimate Apparel Market Size, Share Global Analysis Report, 2022 – 2030

Industry Insights

[233+ Pages Report] According to the report published by Facts and Factors, the global intimate apparel market size was worth around USD 80.2 billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow to around USD 98.37 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 2.51% between 2022 and 2030. The report analyzes the global intimate apparel market drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the intimate apparel industry.

Market Overview

Intimate apparel is worn just over the skin and hence is an extreme form of clothing item since it can be considered a second skin for humans. Various factors have to be considered while designing and manufacturing intimate materials including their thermal, sensorial, motion, and aesthetic value. All of these properties are interrelated and cannot be neglected.

For instance, since intimate apparel acts as a separation line between the skin and the outer clothing, intimate apparel must be comfortable while at the same time having the right thermal and motion-related aspects. The tightness and thickness of the material decide the moisture transfer intensity diffused from the clothing to the environment through diffusion, evaporation, sorption, or wicking. The materials chosen to produce intimate apparel have to be carefully studied since they can impact fabric behavior upon wearing. The properties of individual yarns and the treatment processes they go through to deliver the final result determined the mechanical and physical properties of intimate apparel.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global intimate apparel market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 2.51% over the forecast period (2022-2030)
• In terms of revenue, the global intimate apparel market size was valued at around USD 80.2 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 98.37 billion, by 2030.
• The intimate apparel industry is projected to grow at a significant rate due to the growing population and accessibility to the products
• Based on gender segmentation, female was predicted to show the maximum market share in the year 2021
• Based on distribution channel segmentation, online was the leading phase in 2021
• On the basis of region, North America was the leading revenue generator in 2021

Growth Drivers

• Growing population and accessibility to the products

The global intimate apparel market is projected to grow owing to the rapidly increasing population rate and the higher accessibility to the products due to multiple factors. Intimate apparels are everyday essential for men and women alike and they are in fact, the most significant segment of the clothing sector.

As the population is growing every day, the requirement for intimate apparel is expected to rise simultaneously since these items are used across age groups and genders depending on their requirements. With the growing e-commerce industry, and online selling of products through social media channels, the accessibility to the products has reached an all-time high as people have more options to choose from.

Restraints

• Less inclusivity to restrict market expansion

In recent times, many intimate apparel brands have been heavily criticized for not being inclusive to all body types, especially in the female segment. Since every human body is different and has its requirements, big brands have been accused of promoting only certain conventional body types and neglecting the needs of other segment groups. Victoria’s segment, a leading female intimate apparel brand, which was once considered a highly exclusive clothing group, lost more than 41% of net income in second-quarter sales of 2022 due to the brand losing its image amongst consumers who claimed that the company promoted the sexualization of female models.

Opportunities

• Rebranding and use of technology to create market growth opportunities

Many brands have rebranded themselves in terms of how their visions or how they appear to consumers. Additionally, manufacturers have now started using advanced technologies to create more inclusive, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing apparel in contrast to paying attention to only facets and ignoring the others a few years back. For instance, recently Calvin Klein introduced a new collection of intimate apparel using REFIBRA™ technology which aims at creating gender-neutral and comfortable intimate clothing items.

Challenges

• Managing the sale of counterfeit products to challenge market growth

One of the key challenges faced by the global intimate apparel market players is in terms of managing and curbing the manufacturing and sales of counterfeit products in the local markets. These fake products are not only sold online but also in brick-and-mortar stores. Additionally, many survey reports have claimed the suppliers and manufacturers of intimate apparel are a mole-dominated segment and the lack of female expertise in designing lingerie for women is causing the global market to lose more revenue.

Segmentation Analysis

The global intimate apparel market is segmented based on distribution channel, gender, and region

Based on distribution channel, the global market is divided into offline and online

• In 2021, the global market was led by the online segment majorly propelled by the impact of Covid-19 related impositions resulting in more people opting for online sales channels like e-commerce platforms and social media pages
• The offline segment also led to high revenue and is projected to grow even further due to the rising entry for international brands in lesser explored regions along with growing tie-ups with e-commerce websites in markets where creating a physical store may not be an ideal option
• Many brands operate solely through website pages because they can cater to a larger consumer database
• As of 2022, Calvin Klein is worth more than USD 800 million

Based on gender, the intimate apparel industry is divided into male and female

• Although intimate clothing products are essential for all genders, the female segment created more revenue in 2021 since women have higher requirements as compared to the male population
• The female segment includes different varieties of top and bottom wear, with every type benefiting a certain styling criteria
• On average, female lingerie is more expensive than male intimate apparel since more machines and other resources are required to create the former
• In a 2017 survey, the US population was estimated to have spent USD 80 on intimate wear

Recent Developments:

• In October 2022, Walmart, a US-based multinational retail corporation, announced its entry into the intimate apparel segment with the launch of a new line of clothing products. The company has reshaped and rebuilt its sleepwear segment and with the new line called Joyspun, the company intends to promote comfort, body positivity, contemporary styling, and inclusivity
• In September 2022, Triumph International India, the country’s oldest and largest intimate apparel brand, launched its new product line called the Triumph Flex Smart. The products under this line are meant for women and are designed keeping the unique movements of women’s body in view

Report Scope

Regional Analysis

• North America to lead with the highest growth

The global intimate apparel market is projected to be dominated by North America in the coming years mainly driven by the presence of some of the key market players and the general tendency of the population to spend on intimate apparel which is encouraged by the increasing disposable income and existing hold of the products on the consumers. The growing number of small or midsize players along with rising initiatives of the big brands to constantly evolve and incorporate the demand of the users could drive regional growth.

Growth in Europe is projected to be led by the surging entry of the regional players in new and lucrative markets as well as growing investment in the use of technology for product innovation and production. The region's strong textile industry helps in promoting regional expansion since it is currently the world’s largest exporter of textile products. The growing vision of the country to emerge as a leading re-exporter could also contribute to higher revenue.

Competitive Analysis

• Jockey International Inc. 
• Shenzhen Maniform Lingerie Co. Ltd. 
• Fruit of the Loom Inc. 
• L Brands 
• Hanky Panky 
• BAREWEB INC. 
• Chantelle Group 
• Triumph International Ltd. 
• Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 
• MAS Holdings Ltd. 
• Chantelle SA 
• Wacoal Holdings 
• Zivame 
• Marks and Spencer PLC 
• Puma SE 
• Nike Inc. 
• Hanes Brands Inc. 
• LVMH 
• PVH Corporation 
• American Eagle Outfitters (Aerie)

The global intimate apparel market is segmented as follows:

By Distribution Channel Segment Analysis

• Offline
• Online

By Gender Segment Analysis

• Male
• Female

By Regional Segment Analysis

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Nordic Countries
    • Denmark
    • Sweden
    • Norway
  • Benelux Union
    • Belgium
    • The Netherlands
    • Luxembourg
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Malaysia
    • Singapore
    • Rest of Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America