About the market:

Mintel’s last report on Childrenswear Retailing was published in May 2003. Since then the market has continued to be very fragmented and competitive. There are just two major specialists – Adams and Mothercare – with the latter moving strongly into recovery and growth, and the former appearing decidedly more challenged. There are also a declining number of independent specialists. The growth in the childrenswear sector is seen in the expansion of the non-specialists.

While there are big non-specialist players in the middle mainstream sector – ie Next, M&S – they face the ongoing challenge ‘pincer movement’ growth seen at the lower end with the value retailers and discounters, and at the upper mainstream end with some of the adult clothing specialists such as Monsoon. There is also a very small, but growing and high profile, designer brand element in childrenswear (ie Baby Dior, DKNY etc).

About Mintel’s report:

Mintel’s new market intelligence report provides the user with a fresh insight into an ultra competitive market.

Compiling together the most sought-after trend data and authoritative, independent market analysis, it offers you a vital way of fully understanding the retail market for childrenwear. It also offers you unique findings from exclusive consumer research; invaluable information that will enable you to tailor your business to real consumer demand. Mintel’s research report has been designed to help you:

Analyse consumer typologies, preferences and habits

Track market sizes, driving forces and segmentation

Gain an insight into retail practices and operational issues directly from industry members

Understand the degree of purchasing power that children have on the market

Analyse specialist, non-specialist and supermarket retailer

Identify key areas of growth, such as relatives and friends purchasing children’s wear as gifts.

Pinpoint market potential before your competitors

Look at future opportunities in regards to Internet penetration

Find a way of differentiating your company/brand in this competitive market

Identify the ‘Top Seven’ factors that influence consumers

Measure market forecasts and build realistic business models.

Examine the effects of the 2005 expenditure decline and the 10-year price deflation trend on the children’s wear retailing market.

Intriguing findings include:

Over a third of girls between the ages of 7 and 10 think it’s important to be trendy, but just 23% of boys in the same age range agree.

The greatest competition for retailers is in the 0-9 age sector, though women with children 0-4 are mostly likely to shop with specialists than are those with children 5-9.