This latest edition of just-style's global lingerie report considers the state of the industry worldwide at a time of intense company turmoil.

The first edition suggested that the lingerie product group was one of the most fiercely contested areas of clothing, with a multitude of genuinely international brands, competing with some big-hitting private-label retailers. The second edition showed the beginnings of genuine strategic change in the positioning of major brands and own label retailers.

Over the last three years, growth in this crowded market has seen sluggish - rising in value by only 2.6% - and we have seen a number of major players re-assess their market positions.

This third edition report reviews lingerie and intimate apparel worldwide, providing another insightful analysis of the industry, including:

• Market definitions
• The historical and current market, 2004-2007
• Market forecasts, 2007-2014
• Branding, pricing and costing
• Key industry events
• An in-depth interview with the editor of Lingerie Buyer magazine
• The major companies and brands, including Sara Lee, VF Intimates, Warnaco and Triumph

Report coverage:

Chapter 1 takes the form of an executive summary, with chapter 2 providing an introduction.

In Chapter 3, the lingerie product sector is reviewed and redefined. This is important because of the accelerating polarisation of the market in the developed world between 'desirable' garments and the 'value' end of the market.

Chapter 4 looks at the total global lingerie market 2004 through 2007. The fundamental marketing issue in the lingerie business is no longer the battle for share that used to take place between global brands and retailers' own labels around the world. The burning issue now is whether, if they have the will, skills and money to compete in the developing world.

Looking forward, chapter 5 looks at where in the world we will see monetary growth in the lingerie industry, providing forecasts to 2014 by region and garment type.

In chapter 6, brands and own label price points and price structures are reviewed. The lingerie industry is composed of national and international own label retailers, global and regional lingerie brands, and is supplied by manufacturers now almost entirely from lower-cost countries, whose names are unknown to the consumer, but important to the industry.

Moving on from economics, chapter 7 addresses the major industry events that have happened in the last two years, and poses the questions "is it the end of the road for the portfolio lingerie brand?" and "what concepts will drive the industry forward?".

To help shed light on this, we conducted an in-depth interview with the editor of Lingerie Buyer magazine, as outlined in chapter 8. This chapter also looks at opinions of the writer himself and industry insiders.

Finally, in chapter 9, we look at how this apparel sector is likely to face new key issues and develop in the future.

This report is also available as part of a cost effective report package with our latest 'Global market review of swimwear and beachwear'. This provides you with a comprehensive insight into each of these neighbouring markets at a discounted price, saving you nearly 30% on the price if purchased separately. More info.

Chapter 1 Executive summary
Introduction
Fashion and function
The lingerie market 2004-2007
The lingerie market 2007-2014 and growth opportunities
Lingerie branding, pricing and costing
Recent industry events
A conclusion and a question

Chapter 2 Introduction
Bra wars
Report coverage

Chapter 3 Market definitions
Fashion and function
Lingerie garment definitions
Geographical definitions
Monetary valuations

Chapter 4 The market, 2004-2007
The 2004 lingerie market
The 2004 world lingerie market by garment type
Regional market data
Average prices and review of lingerie market value
The 2007 lingerie market
The 2007 world lingerie market by garment type
Regional market data
Average prices and review of lingerie market value
Growth, 2007 over 2004

Chapter 5 Market forecasts, 2007-2014
The 2007 world lingerie market
The 2014 world lingerie market by garment type
Average prices and review of lingerie market value
Lingerie’s hot growth opportunities

Chapter 6 Branding, pricing and costing
Retail own label, brands and anonymous lingerie
Pricing and retail formats
Price points
Price points and market share
Filling in the price-fashion matrix

Chapter 7 Major industry events
Sara Lee
VF Corporation
Warnaco
The end of portfolio lingerie brands?

Chapter 8 Interview with Lingerie Buyer
The Lingerie Buyer interview
just-style commentary

Chapter 9 Companies and brands
Après Sara Lee Europe
VF Intimates Division
Warnaco
Triumph International
Eveden (Fantasie)
Agent Provocateur
A conclusion and a question

List of tables
Table 1: Currency converter
Table 2: World retail market for lingerie (bras, briefs and daywear/shapewear) 2004 (US$bn and % share)
Table 3: World retail market for lingerie (bras and briefs), 2004 value and volume (US$bn, m units and %)
Table 4: Market values for bras, briefs and bodywear by region, 2004 (US$m, m units and %)
Table 5: Average world retail prices for lingerie (bras and briefs) by region, 2004 (US$)
Table 6: World retail market for lingerie (bras, briefs and daywear/shapewear) 2007 (US$bn and % share)
Table 7: World retail market for lingerie (bras and briefs), 2007 value and volume (US$bn, m units and %)
Table 8: Market values for bras, briefs and bodywear by region, 2007 (US$m, m units and %)
Table 9: Average world retail prices for lingerie (bras and briefs) by region, 2007 (US$)
Table 10: World retail market estimates for lingerie (bras, briefs and daywear/shapewear) 2014 (US$bn and % share)
Table 11: World retail market estimates for lingerie (bras and briefs), 2014 value and volume (US$, m units and %)
Table 12: Market value estimates for bras, briefs and bodywear by region, 2014 (US$m, m units and %)
Table 13: Average world retail price estimates for lingerie (bras and briefs) by region, 2014 (US$)
Table 14: Retail market value for brands, own label and anonymous lingerie, by region, 2007 (US$bn and %)
Table 15: Value of lingerie at retail, wholesale and manufacturer points (brands, retail own label and anonymous, 2007 (US$bn)
Table 16: The pricing onion for lingerie in Western Europe (US$ and %)
Table 17: Price-fashion matrix of lingerie brands
Table 18: World market for lingerie (bras, briefs and ‘other’) 2004-2014 (US$m and m units)