Released on = April 16, 2007, 4:57 am

Press Release Author = Bharat Book Bureau

Industry = Marketing

Press Release Summary = Executive Summary

Sportswear has been established firmly in the broader markets for clothing and
footwear since the 1980s. Consumers in the UK spent £4.48bn on sportswear in 2004
and this represented just over 10% of their total spending on clothing and footwear
(only 8.5% of the clothing market, but a 22% share in footwear).

Press Release Body =
Sports Clothing and Footwear Market Report (PDF Format)

Executive Summary

Sportswear has been established firmly in the broader markets for clothing and
footwear since the 1980s. Consumers in the UK spent £4.48bn on sportswear in 2004
and this represented just over 10% of their total spending on clothing and footwear
(only 8.5% of the clothing market, but a 22% share in footwear). The spend was split
between £3.15bn on sports clothing and £1.33bn on sports footwear.

Dividing the market between active and leisure use, or fashion versus function, is
difficult in the sports-inspired leisurewear market. However, sportswear specialists
continue to stress the \'performance\' qualities of their products, and it is the
consumer who chooses sportswear as clothing and footwear for either everyday use, or
for taking part in a sport (or both). A Key Note survey in 2005 (see Chapter 6 -
Buying Behaviour) found that half of adults buy sportswear for participation, but
26% admit to wearing it without taking part in a sport, and 35% simply buy
sportswear as `fashionable leisurewear\'.

Sportswear is a globalised industry, largely revolving around three dominant brands:
Nike, Reebok (both US based), and adidas (based in Germany). In August 2005, the
latter brands were brought under one roof when adidas paid e3.1bn for Reebok. These
brands are leaders in both active sportswear and fashionable leisurewear. The many
other brands are more specialised, usually by type of sport. The UK\'s leading
companies include: Umbro (football kit), Hi-Tec (trainers and outdoor footwear) and
Pentland Group (through subsidiaries such as Speedo, Berghaus and Ellesse). More
than 90% of the UK market consists of imports, with licensed production centred in
the Far East and, from 2005, shifting rapidly to factories in China.

Retailing of sportswear is more fragmented than ever, through sports shops, general
stores and e-commerce, with multiple grocers making inroads. The two largest
specialists are JJB Sports and Blacks Leisure Group.

Demand is now cyclical for various sports products and `looks\', such as the classic
white trainer or running shoe, or hooded top originally used for warming up. Such
products will come and go in a mature market - emphasised by the popular `retro\'
styles - but the recent publicity surrounding the need for physical activity to
tackle obesity and poor health should stimulate demand for `performance sportswear\'.


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