During the past 25 years,lingerie underwent a metamorphosis and has blossomed into a huge money makingsegment of apparels. Since the removal of quotas in 2005, the lingerie industryin US is undergoing a rapid transformation. US apparel market is estimated tobe around $9.6billion during 2007. Women's apparel market in US is expected to growat the rate of 1.9% every year during 2004-2009. Retailers are now recognizing thatlingerie market gives higher profits, and are launching new lingerie productsor giving a new make over to their existing products. Lingerie vendors now, givemore preference on making partnership with specialty stores than withdepartment stores because the latter cannot store all the products of one brand.
On average, American women spend$100 on the purchase of intimate apparels; annually. Almost 65% of the global lingerieis sold to Western Europe and North America. Success of undergarments can bejudged by the growth of domestic lingerie market. A New York based marketresearch firm concludes that US retailers sell over $10.5 billion USD worth oflingerie's annually. Apart from its domestic consumption and exports, thecountry also imports intimate wears. Majority of the intimate apparel importsinto US is from China. Due to this, the domestic retailers face a decrease intheir profit margins due to the competition of cheap textile imports from China.
Lingerie giant and retailingpioneer Victoria's Secret has created a lucrative market for lingerie business.They were the pioneers in creating a 'kaleidoscope of looks' for intimateapparels that would be sexy enough to tempt the shoppers. Kohl's, Target,J.C.Penny, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's Lane Bryant, and American Eagle Outfittersare some of the retailers who have followed Victoria's Secret and have addednew products to their existing lines or come up with new intimate wears. JanesWorld boutiques are the leading edge in the lingerie business both in price andquality. Competition in the lingerie market in US has heightened as comparedwith the period two decades before when Victoria's Secret had a well establishedmarket all for itself.
The biggest portion of intimate apparel sales comes from departmental stores like Sears, Wal-Mart, The Bay, and Macy's. Big businesses like Liz Claiborne, VF Corporation, and Jones Apparel have grown adopting strategies like brand building, acquisitions, and efficient supply chain management. With the advent of internet, a woman can brose through the largest, and diversified collection of lingerie. Newport News, and Spiegel, Barenecessities.com, and Figleaves.com are now a making profitable business; online. Los Angeles based internet catalog business, Frederick's of Hollywood has a good market; online. These marketers make it comfortable for women of today to shop online with their credit cards.
'Plus size' does not mean being unattractive. Despite the size, every woman's desire is to dress smart, and look beautiful. A recent market research survey states that women in the age group, 25-36 are the most prolific buyers of plus size lingerie. About 61% of the American women are of overweight. The survey also estimates that by 2015, 75% of the adults including both men and women will be using plus size lingerie. Targeting plus size customers have become more recognized coinciding with the backlash of the ultra thin models.
Fashion industry statements affirms that plus size start at size 14 in the US, and half of the American women wear clothing in size 14 or larger. Despite the struggling economy, plus size lingerie market continues to grow with high quality lingerie brands. EU and US have invested heavily in the plus size market. Bali, Barley There, Natori, Vanity Fair, Chantelle, Playtex and Wacoal are some of the trendy brands that offer fashionable plus size lingerie's.
Just like other areas of the fashion segment, there is always something fascinating on the horizon for intimate apparels. The trend for the current year is moving towards colors and types which has a hint of romance in it. Being discreet is the intention of every woman. Boxer shorts, and bras with football prints and colors of classic pink, red and trendy lilac, intimate wears with polka dots, and lingerie with net, are the new styles seen in the store racks. One of the hottest underwear trends for women is the boxer, knit or woven man-style undershots. The demand now is for multifunctional bras with many options like multi-use and removable straps to match with the user's mood and preferences.
In US, the trend for strings is fading out, and panties and briefs covering the hips with wide cuts are in fad. Seductive lingerie's in hues of blue, pink cream blue, rose tones, white, and mint green occupy the color palette. Skin tones are also more prevalent. Geometric patterns in pastel shades, and squiggles are featuring in intimate apparel designs. Shine and metallic accents give an appealing look to the geometrics. Briefs possess a resemblance of the 40's with the slit up side seams, glued edges and laser etchings.
Wearing camisoles and corsets in public is now considered as 'clubwear lingerie' and is making its way ahead. One more way of displaying lingerie in public is the use of bows and tassels on the apparels worn effectively with low rider jeans. These types of intimate wears are available for a higher price in the market and are currently sought by most of the American women. Apart from the normal straps, fur, and sequence seen in lingerie's now a days, there is a need for creativity in its designing. Baby dolls, camisoles and boy shorts are in vogue with pastel shades taking the lead in colors. The current trends are sure to spark excitement in the minds of women.
Intimate apparels are growing fast, but it takes the right approach to stay in the swim. Customers of this era are not impressed by merely a 'sexy' appearance of the intimate wears. What satisfies them is 'sexy lingerie with a touch of class. This is a product that any woman enjoys purchasing, regardless of her age and vital stats. Intimate wears does not discriminate, and gives a 'feel-good' purchase feeling to every woman.
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