Activewear Market Assessment, By Product Type [Apparel, Footwear, Others], By Price Range [Mass Segment, Premium Segment, Luxury Segment], By End-user [Adults, Kids], By Distribution Channel [Online, Offline], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2

Activewear Market Assessment, By Product Type [Apparel, Footwear, Others], By Price Range [Mass Segment, Premium Segment, Luxury Segment], By End-user [Adults, Kids], By Distribution Channel [Online, Offline], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

Global activewear market is projected to witness a CAGR of 9.56% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 305.16 billion in 2023 to USD 633.38 billion in 2031. The activewear market has been experiencing growth in the historical period and will continue to grow in the forecast period as well due to consumers’ increasing awareness of healthy lifestyle and importance of outdoor activities and sports in the daily routine. The advancements and innovation in the fabric technology by introducing lightweight, breathable, and moisture-absorbing fabrics, rising brand endorsements with athletes and fitness enthusiasts, personalization in apparels and footwear using the 3D print technology, and creation of diverse range of product offerings by the key players to offer to consumers with unique body shapes and sizes are contributing to the market growth.

The activewears are increasingly made from materials such as nylon, spandex, and lycra for the purpose to create lightweight, airy, and rapid drying apparel which provides comfort and easy movement to the consumers.

Activewear market has witnessed growth due to the availability of activewear on e-commerce and other online retail platforms. With the initiation of virtual fitting rooms and augmented reality technology, the overall consumer experience has been improved while making purchases online. Additionally, sustainable, softer, and breathable materials are being introduced by the manufacturers to cater to a wider audience and offer them comfortable clothing and footwear, contributing to the positive trajectory of the market. For instance, in March 2024, PUMA SE, announced that it will be soon deploying Google Cloud’s data analytics and artificial intelligence solutions for making its online retail experience more agile, efficient, and customized for consumers globally. The platform allows consumers to shop with the help of AI assistants and virtually try-on clothes.

The market is witnessing growth due to strategies used by the manufacturers of activewear to position their products in the market. They are running ads, offering discounts on first purchase by the consumers and providing their products on a rental basis. For instance, in March 2023, Year of Ours, an American Sportswear brand, started the service of ready-to-rent activewear on nuuly.com. The collection consists of multiple sizes including the maternity sizes.

Furthermore, online retail platforms have been instrumental in fostering the growth of the activewear market by offering personalization in choice of the consumers, convenience, and global outreach to the consumers.

Size Inclusive Activewear Supporting the Growth

Size inclusivity in activewear plays a major role in driving the market growth. Traditionally, the activewear industry catered to the consumers who fit into the standard sizing, leaving a gap in the market for the odd sizes such as extra small and plus size consumers. However, presently, plus size and extra small size consumers are seeking activewear options that not just fit them but offer excellent performance and the latest styles that are featured in the standard-sized apparel.

The rising trend of inclusivity and diversity in fashion has induced the activewear brands to widen the horizon of their offerings and include a wider range of body shapes and sizes. By expanding the product portfolio, the brands are able to cater to more consumers and promote body positivity and size inclusivity, creating a better image of the brand.

In January 2021, Lindex Sverige AB, introduced size-inclusive activewear. Their activewear collection is designed to fit all body shapes and sizes. The collection contains bodysuits, sports bras, leggings, and tops ranging from extra small size to triple extra-large size. Also, the collection includes the maternity leggings with the ability to stretch and accommodate the growing belly. The activewear introduced by the company provides plenty of stretch and comfort.

Online Retail Platforms Fostering the Growth

Online retail platforms are significantly driving the growth of the activewear market. These platforms have transformed the way people shop for activewear by offering convenience, wide range of products, and accessibility to consumers globally.

The online retail platform provides convenience to the consumers to shop from the comfort of their homes. This convenience in shopping appeals to consumers who have busy lifestyles and hectic schedule such as working professionals, parents or others who do not have time to visit the physical stores.

Additionally, the online retail platform offers a wider variety of products to the consumers, in terms of brand, design, sizing, styles, material and other features. This exclusive range of products enable the consumers in finding the clothes which suit them best according to their body type, unique preference, enriching their overall shopping experience.

For instance, in February 2024, Marks and Spencer Group PLC, welcomes Puma and Reebok to The Sports Edit’s dedicated sportswear platform on M&S.com. It will feature other three brands out of top ten global leaders in the activewear market, such as Adidas, Columbia, and ASICS.

Maternity Activewear is Fueling the Growth

Maternity wear is fostering the growth of the activewear market since the brands are increasingly entering into this niche segment to cater to the expecting mothers, by providing them with stylish and trending activewear, which was difficult for them to find earlier in the market crowded by standard-sized products. The key players are introducing activewear, which accommodates the changing body of the expecting mothers and offers functionality even during the post-partum phase.

For instance, in April 2024, Nike, Inc., developed activewear apparel and footwear for expecting and postpartum mothers. The collection includes wearable pump-compatible sports bra and adjustable walking shoes. The apparel is designed with leak protection technology to increase the functionality of the product.

The functional and comfortable designs in the maternity activewear, such as stretchy and moisture absorbing fabrics, adjustable waistbands, and supportive belly panels enhance the comfort of consumers during prenatal and postnatal fitness exercises and promote flexibility and mobility in daily chores, smoothening the pregnancy journey. The total global fertility rate in 2022 was 2.1 children per women which shows that the maternity wear market is enormous and key player can expand their product portfolio and introduce maternity activewear as well, driving the growth of the market.

Innovation in Footwear to Drive the Demand

Innovation in footwear is fostering the growth of the activewear market as the key players are introducing revolutionizing products that offer comfort, improved performance and unique styles. The advancements in the materials have led to the development of breathable, lightweight, and durable materials such as high-performing fabrics which enhance the comfort of the consumers during physical activities.

In February 2024, Lululemon Athletica Inc., announced that following its launch of first women footwear in year 2022, it is planning to debut the men’s footwear category which is scheduled to be launched in September 2024. The company will be introducing running shoes and other footwear as well namely, Beyondfeel, Beyondfeel Trail, and Restfeel Sandal.

The incorporation of cutting-edge innovation in the footwear by key players such as Nike’s Air and Adidas’ Boost in the cushioning, offers consumers superior shock absorption and optimization of performance, reducing the risk of injury. For instance, in August 2023, PUMA SE in collaboration with Lemlem dropped its latest version of Nitro shoe which is a lightweight athletic shoe with a chunky sole, improving the performance of the fitness enthusiasts and athletes, along with the addition of a statement visual to the trainers.

Future Market Scenario (2024 – 2031F)

The activewear market is growing exponentially and will continue to expand in the forecast period as well. The integration of augmented reality and metaverse with the activewear market is creating the opportunity for the key players to enhance the experience of the consumers and result in the exponential growth of the market. For instance, in September 2022, PUMA SE launched Black Station 2, a platform where shoppers can purchase NFTs and redeem them for physical goods. Followed by Nike, Inc. which launched Swoosh, a marketplace that collects and trades virtual products such as jerseys and shoes in November 2022.

Through meta verse and augmented reality, consumers can take advantage of the virtual trial rooms at the convenience of their homes, enriching their shopping experience and further augmenting the market growth in the forecast period.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Key players in the market are helping the growth by focusing on continuous product innovation, retail expansions, and strategic marketing. The manufacturers are actively expanding their product portfolio, increasing the base of the customers, and catering to their evolving needs.

The key players have been seen offering a wider range of products which accommodate different body types and is size inclusive, keeping different customers in mind. Key players, such as Puma and Nike, are making activewear products to cater to a wider audience. They are collaborating with other activewear brands and companies to feature their product in the market in a better way.

For instance, in March 2024, PUMA SE collaborated with The Lycra Company to create and launch Shapeluxe, their most recent capsule collection especially curated for women. The Lycra Company uses the innovative Lycra Adaptiv technology, which makes the apparel suitable for all body shapes. All the garments allow infinite movement to the consumers and reject the idea of “one size fits all garments”, encouraging the consumers to wear the size which actually fits them flawlessly.