Table of Contents
Scope and Themes
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- What you need to know
- Definition
- Data sources
- Sales data
- Consumer survey data
- Abbreviations and terms
- Abbreviations
- Terms
Executive Summary
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- Overview
- The market
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- Figure 1: Fan chart forecast of total retail sales of women’s clothing, 2008-18
- Market factors
- Increasing female population likely to impact women’s clothing market
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- Figure 2: Female population aged 18 or older, by age, 2008-18
- Figure 3: Hispanic women, aged 18 or older, by age, 2008-18
- Online and mobile shopping makes shopping for clothes easier, more convenient
- Sizing issues and obesity are a concern among women
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- Figure 4: Prevalence of obesity among women aged 20+, by age group, 2009-10
- The consumer
- Women shop at value department stores, mass merchandisers for clothing
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- Figure 5: Types of retailers shopped for women’s clothing, in-store vs. online, August 2013
- Sales, replacement items are top reasons women buy clothes
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- Figure 6: Reasons for buying clothes, August 2013
- Comfort and quality most important when shopping for clothing
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- Figure 7: Attitudes toward personal style, August 2013
- Women are loyal to stores, influenced by sales
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- Figure 8: Attitudes and behaviors regarding clothes shopping, August 2013
- Size, assistance, and discounts would make shopping for clothes better
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- Figure 9: Improvements sought from clothing retailers, August 2013
- What we think
Issues and Insights
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- Where do women shop for clothing?
- The issues
- The implications
- The impact of online and mobile shopping
- The issues
- The implications
- Is size a concern?
- The issues
- The implications
- What would improve the shopping experience when women shop for clothes?
- The issues
- The implications
Trend Application
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- Inspire trend: Click and Connect
- Inspire trend: Access All Areas
- Mintel futures: Human
Market Size and Forecast
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- Key points
- Women’s clothing market expected to grow
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- Figure 10: Total U.S. retail sales and forecast of women’s clothing, at current prices, 2008-18
- Figure 11: Total U.S. retail sales and forecast of women’s clothing, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2008-18
- Fan chart forecast
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- Figure 12: Fan chart forecast of total retail sales of women’s clothing, 2008-18
Market Drivers
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- Key points
- Growing female population will impact the market for clothing
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- Figure 13: Female population aged 18 or older, by age, 2008-18
- Hispanic women represent growth opportunity
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- Figure 14: Hispanic women aged 18 or older, by age, 2008-18
- Figure 15: Purchasing power, by race/Hispanic origin, 1990-2017
- Consumer confidence affects consumers’ spending on clothing
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- Figure 16: Index of consumer sentiment, May 2007-August 2013
- Online and mobile shopping impacts how women shop for clothes
- Sizing issues and levels of obesity a concern among women’s clothing
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- Figure 17: Prevalence of obesity among women aged 20+, by age, 2009-10
Retailer Overview
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- Clothing specialists
- Ann Inc.—Ann Taylor and LOFT
- Express
- Forever 21
- Gap Inc.—Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy
- H&M
- J. Crew
- J. Jill
- The Limited
- New York & Company
- Issues and opportunities for clothing specialists
- Department stores
- Bloomingdale’s
- JCPenney
- Kohl’s
- Macy’s
- Nordstrom
- Issues and opportunities for department stores
- Mass merchandisers
- Kmart
- Target
- Walmart
- Issues and opportunities for mass merchandisers
- Discount stores
- T.J. Maxx and Marshalls
- Ross Stores
- Online-only retailers
- Amazon.com
- Piperlime.com
Innovations and Innovators
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- Stitch Fix combines convenience and personalization
- Express to launch new clothing categories
- Destination Maternity trials new formats
- Retailers focus on Millennial women
- Nordstrom to expand Topshop partnership
- Shopping websites and apps help direct women to sales
- Rent the Runway adds plus sizes
Marketing Strategies
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- Strategy – Celebrity influence
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- Figure 18: Ann Taylor email ad, September 2013
- Figure 19: Piperlime screen shot, September 2013
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- Figure 20: New York & Company Eva Mendes collection screen shot, September 2013
- Figure 21: New York & Company Eva Mendes collection print ad, as seen in In Style Magazine, September 2013
- Figure 22: Gap # BacktoBlue TV commercial “Just the Way You Are,” September 2013
- Strategy – Sales and special offers
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- Figure 23: Ann Taylor “sale ends tonight” email ad, September 2013
- Figure 24: Gilt City Ann Taylor promotion, September 2013
- Figure 25: The Limited email ad, September 2013
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- Figure 26: Banana Republic email ad, September 2013
- Figure 27: Gap email ad, August 2013
- Strategy – Using new media to promote fashions
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- Figure 28: Nordstrom items for sale by Pinterest popularity, June 2013
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- Figure 29: #HelpMeClinton: How do I find the right pair of jeans, on Macy’s YouTube Channel, September 2013
- Figure 30: #HelpMeClinton: Fashion tips and trends for young moms on the go, on Macy’s YouTube Channel, July 2013
- Strategy – Cause marketing
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- Figure 31: The Limited 50th anniversary screen shot, September 2013
- Strategy – Fast fashion
Women’s Clothing Purchases
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- Key points
- Tops/T-shirts and jeans purchased by most women
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- Figure 32: Women’s clothing items bought for self in the past year, August 2013
- 18-24s and 65+ have opposing clothing preferences
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- Figure 33: Women’s clothing items bought for self in the past year, by age, August 2013
- Engage with lower-income women
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- Figure 34: Women’s clothing items bought for self in the past year, by household income, August 2013
Amount Spent on Women’s Clothing
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- Key points
- Most women have spent $100-299 on clothing
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- Figure 35: Amount spent on women’s apparel, July 2012- March 2013
- Oldest and youngest women spend the least on clothing
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- Figure 36: Amount spent on women’s apparel, by age, July 2012- March 2013
- Spending levels correlate with level of household income
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- Figure 37: Amount spent on women’s apparel, by household income, July 2012- March 2013
Types of Retailers Shopped for Women’s Clothing
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- Key points
- Women shop at value department stores, mass merchandisers for clothing
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- Figure 38: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing, August 2013
- Types of retailers shopped – In-store
- Older women avoid specialty stores, fast fashion, boutiques
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- Figure 39: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any in-store, by age, August 2013
- Lower-income women not likely to visit factory/outlet, fast fashion stores
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- Figure 40: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any in-store, by household income, August 2013
- Types of retailers shopped – Online
- 25-34s most likely to shop for clothing online
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- Figure 41: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any online, by age, August 2013
- Online shopping behavior similar to in-store preferences by income level
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- Figure 42: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any online, by household income, August 2013
- Stores can focus on women’s attitudes to help promote items
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- Figure 43: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any purchase, by attitudes toward personal style, August 2013
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- Figure 44: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any purchase, by attitudes toward personal style, August 2013 (continued)
Reasons for Buying Clothes
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- Key points
- Sales, replacement items are main reasons women buy clothes
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- Figure 45: Reasons for buying clothes, August 2013
- Younger women impacted by what others are wearing
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- Figure 46: Reasons for buying clothes, by age, August 2013
- High-income women influenced by sales, special offers
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- Figure 47: Reasons for buying clothes, by household income, August 2013
Attitudes toward Personal Styles
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- Key points
- Comfort and quality most important when shopping for clothing
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- Figure 48: Attitudes toward personal style, August 2013
- Younger women share style tips/advice with others
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- Figure 49: Attitudes toward personal style, by age, August 2013
- Higher-income women dress to impress
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- Figure 50: Attitudes toward personal style, by household income, August 2013
Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Clothes Shopping
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- Key points
- Women are loyal to stores, influenced by sales
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- Figure 51: Attitudes and behaviors regarding clothes shopping, August 2013
- Older women prefer to shop alone, younger women enjoy shopping the most
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- Figure 52: Attitudes and behaviors regarding clothes shopping, by age, August 2013
- Highest-income women likely to be loyal to certain retailers
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- Figure 53: Attitudes and behaviors regarding clothes shopping, by household income, August 2013
Improvements Sought from Clothing Retailers
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- Key points
- Sizes, assistance, and discounts would make shopping for clothes better
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- Figure 54: Improvements sought from clothing retailers, August 2013
- Younger women seek the most improvements when shopping for clothes
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- Figure 55: Improvements sought from clothing retailers, by age, August 2013
- Women in the highest-income households seek improved dressing room experience
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- Figure 56: Improvements sought from clothing retailers, by household income, August 2013
Race and Hispanic Origin
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- Key points
- Hispanics likely to purchase workout clothing
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- Figure 57: Women’s clothing items bought for self in the past year, by race/Hispanic origin, August 2013
- Blacks spend the least on women’s clothing, still more than $250
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- Figure 58: Amount spent on women’s apparel, by race/Hispanic origin, July 2012-March 2013
- Hispanics and non-Hispanics seek value, choose different retailers
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- Figure 59: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any in-store, by race/Hispanic origin, August 2013
- Online retailer preferences similar for all race/Hispanic origin groups
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- Figure 60: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any online, by race/Hispanic origin, August 2013
- Hispanic women are influenced by others when shopping for clothes
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- Figure 61: Reasons for buying clothes, by race/Hispanic origin, August 2013
- Hispanic women more focused on style
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- Figure 62: Attitudes toward personal style, by race/Hispanic origin, August 2013
- White and Black women most influenced by sales/special offers
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- Figure 63: Attitudes and behaviors regarding clothes shopping, by race/Hispanic origin, August 2013
- Blacks seek more sizes, stores that are easier to navigate
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- Figure 64: Improvements sought from clothing retailers, by race/Hispanic origin, August 2013
Appendix – Other Useful Consumer Tables
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- Women’s clothing purchases
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- Figure 65: Women’s clothing items bought for self in the past year, by marital status, August 2013
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- Figure 66: Women’s clothing items bought for self in the past year, by generations, August 2013
- Types of retailers shopped – In-store
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- Figure 67: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any in-store, by generations, August 2013
- Types of retailers shopped – Online
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- Figure 68: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any online, by generations, August 2013
- Types of retailers shopped – Either in-store or online
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- Figure 69: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing – Any purchase, by age, August 2013
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- Figure 70: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any purchase, by household income, August 2013
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- Figure 71: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any purchase, by race/Hispanic origin, August 2013
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- Figure 72: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any purchase, by marital status, August 2013
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- Figure 73: Types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any purchase, by generations, August 2013
- Attitudes toward personal style
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- Figure 74: Attitudes toward personal style, by marital status, August 2013
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- Figure 75: Attitudes toward personal style, by generations, August 2013
- Attitudes and behaviors regarding clothes shopping
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- Figure 76: Attitudes and behaviors regarding clothes shopping, by marital status, August 2013
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- Figure 77: Attitudes and behaviors regarding clothes shopping, by generations, August 2013
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- Figure 78: Attitudes and behaviors regarding clothes shopping, by frequency of visiting social media website, August 2013
- Improvements sought from clothing retailers
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- Figure 79: Improvements sought from clothing retailers, by marital status, August 2013
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- Figure 80: Improvements sought from clothing retailers, by generations, August 2013
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- Figure 81: Improvements sought from clothing retailers, by types of retailers shopped, August 2013
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- Figure 82: Improvements sought from clothing retailers, by types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any purchase, August 2013
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- Figure 83: Improvements sought from clothing retailers, by types of retailers shopped for women's clothing—Any purchase, August 2013
Appendix – Trade Associations
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