Functional Apparel Market

Global Functional Apparel Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The size of the global functional apparel market was valued at USD 527.76 billion in 2022. The global market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2023 to 2028. The global market is expected to be worth USD 765.75 billion by 2028 from USD 561.54 billion in 2023.

Global Functional Apparel Market Drivers:

The durability, safety, and better performance of functional apparel and the vast availability of numerous materials such as cotton, synthetic and polysynthetic, and polyester that are being used in functional apparel are primarily driving the global market growth. The functional apparel market is highly competitive as there is a monopoly of top key players, and there is a shallow scope for new entrants to enter the market. The available products have high prices, so comparing the prices, very few companies offer functional apparel at low prices.

The growing demand for various forms of functional apparel such as notably activewear or sportswear apparel and the rise of the fitness & wellbeing trends are further fueling the growth rate of the global functional apparel market. An increasing demand for protective clothing that is used for protection from sun, rain, snow, and others is contributing to the global functional apparel market. Changes in the lifestyles of people and growing consumption of activewear are supporting the demand for functional apparel and propelling the global market growth.

The growing fitness industry is favoring the growth of the functional apparel market. The fitness sector is heavily marketed within the demographics. Several fitness influencers have already been promoting various products that belong to functional apparel. The growing disposable income of people in developing countries and rapid urbanization are promoting the growth of the functional apparel market. An increase in the demand for functional apparel from the mining and construction industries and rising demand for functional workforce apparel are aiding the global market growth.

Global Functional Apparel Market Restraints:

The increasing number of counterfeit brand products in the market hamper the market growth. High prices associated with functional apparel products are another significant restraint to the global market growth. Factors such as poor awareness among people regarding functional apparel, resistance from people to adopt to the new textile technologies and limited distribution channels are further impeding the global market growth. The major challenge for functional apparel manufacturers is material selection during the manufacturing of the products to meet the user demand as innovation and development are going on with the fabric and the increasing fashion trend in the market. Due to the monopoly of top key players in the market, the very low scope for new entrants is the challenge for the low and mid businesses present in the industry worldwide.

Impact of COVID-19 on the global functional apparel market:

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various sectors of the value chain around the world. To combat the spread of COVID-19, several countries worldwide have imposed lockdowns and strict restrictions on manufacturing and supply, and this has had a considerable impact on global value chains, as well as distribution and management capabilities. In addition, because of their declining popularity, several end-client firms lost had faced significant financial burdens. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness regarding health and fitness has increased, which led to an increase in sales of sports-functional apparel and Medical-functional Clothing. Out of these sales, a significant deal has occurred on online platforms.

REPORT COVERAGE:

This research report on the global functional apparel market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on areas of functionality, application, distribution channel, and region.

Global Functional Apparel Market - By Areas of Functionality:

• Protective Clothing
• Sports-Functional Clothing
• Medical -Functional Clothing
• Clothing For Special Needs

The sports-functional segment held the largest share of 39.8% of the global market in 2022 and is predicted to witness a promising CAGR during the forecast period due to the growing awareness regarding personal health and fitness. Increasing innovation in the materials and designs of sportswear, technological advancements in sports-functional clothing, and growing demand for performance tracking for sportspeople are further contributing to the growth of the sports-functional clothing segment in the global market.

The protective clothing segment captured 22.6% of the worldwide market in 2022 and is expected to grow at a notable CAGR during the forecast period owing to the growing usage of protecting clothing in several industries. The usage of protective clothing is growing rapidly in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and healthcare. Stringent safety regulations, growing awareness regarding workplace safety, and rising demand for flame-resistant and high-visibility clothing are driving the growth of the protective clothing segment in the global market.

The medical-functional clothing segment is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period due to the COVID-19 impact on the medical field.

Global Functional Apparel Market - By Application:

• Professional Athletic
• Armature Athletic
• Others

Based on the application, the armature athletic segment accounted for the leading share of 37.9% of the global market in 2022 and is also expected to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasingly strong demand for sportswear in everyday life by youth and working people.

The professional athletic segment is not any less and captured 31.4% of the worldwide market in 2022 and is predicted to grow a steady CAGR during the forecast period.

The other application of functional apparel includes workforce garments used during construction, mining, and other emergency departments like fire and safety. Therefore, it is anticipated to grow at a significant growth rate during the projected period.

Global Functional Apparel Market - By Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Online Stores

The supermarkets/hypermarkets segment had 41.8% of the global market in 2022 and the domination of the segment is expected to continue throughout the forecast period owing to the preference of customers to buy functional apparel from supermarkets as they can see it and feel its material and have the correct fit in these places. Customers can choose from a wide choice of products due to the easy and widespread availability of functional apparel at supermarkets/hypermarkets.

The specialty stores segment is another lucrative segment and will occupy a share of 28.7% of the worldwide market in 2022. During the forecast period, the specialty store segment is estimated to register a healthy CAGR. Specialty stores are equipped with staff with solid product knowledge and can offer the customers required assistance in making the appropriate decisions in buying products that fit their needs, which is one of the key factors driving the growth of the specialty segment in the global market. The availability of premium and high-tech functional apparel products in specialty stores is another key factor propelling the growth of the segment in the worldwide market.

The online segment is gaining traction and is growing at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing e-commerce sector and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global Functional Apparel Market - By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• South America
• Middle-East and Africa

APAC dominated the market, accounting for 31.4% of the worldwide market in 2022, and continues to lead the functional apparel market throughout the forecast period, followed by North America with 28.5% of the global market share in 2022. More than 60% of the functional apparel market is held by North America and the Asia Pacific combined and the combined dominance of the Asia Pacific and North America region is primarily due to the increasing disposable income, rising urbanization, and advanced lifestyle in regional countries like the United States, India, and China. The growing middle-class population, rapidly changing lifestyle preferences, increasing participation in sports, an increasing number of fitness enthusiasts, and growing e-commerce industry in the Asia-Pacific are driving the functional apparel market in the Asia-Pacific region. China dominated the functional apparel market within the Asia-Pacific region in 2022 due to the booming sportswear industry. On the other hand, North America is predicted to register promising growth during the forecast period. Factors such as the growing demand for activewear, the presence of key market participants, increasing innovation in smart textiles, and increasing popularity of athleisure are promoting the functional apparel market in North America. The U.S. captured the maximum of the North American market share in 2022.

The European market is expected to grow at a prominent CAGR during the forecast period due to increased health awareness and a positive view of the population toward a healthy life and lifestyle. An increasing demand for high-performance sportswear and a trend of fashion-forward can be seen in the European region, which is favoring the European market growth. The presence of several premium and luxury sportswear brands in Europe and increasing emphasis on fitness and wellness by the European population are further fueling the growth rate of the European market. The consumption of sportswear is high among European countries such as Germany, the UK, and France and these countries are likely to account for the major share of European functional apparel as well during the forecast period.

Regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are anticipated to grow at a moderate growth rate during the forecast period.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS:

Companies playing a key role in the global functional apparel market include Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, Puma, Lululemon Athletica, Asics, Anta, Sketchers, Ralph Lauren, Columbia Sportswear, and Gap. The market is fiercely competitive. Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, and Puma.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET:

• Mechanix Wear, a market leader in high-performance hand protection, has announced an official partnership with clim8. It is also a pioneer in intelligent thermal innovation for wearables around the world. Due to this partnership deal, Mechanix Wear has become the official working glove licensee of clim8 technology within the US for 2021. As a result, the company will offer the first work glove in the United States with a self-activating, controlling, and smart heating system tailored to each user's preferred level of comfort.