UK Niche Clothing Segments 2011
Report description
Verdict Research: Growth opportunities within UK womenswear are becoming fewer as established players mature and the market saturates, so this report examines how retailers can introduce niche clothing areas to differentiate and drive additional sales. It analyses issues and opportunities within the maternitywear, petites and plus size segments, and profiles the key market players.
Features and benefits- Profiles of specialists and non specialists operating in each sub sector. Retailer profiles provide detailed analysis and opportunities and threats * Size of the maternitywear, petites and plus size markets 2006-2011e, and market forecasts up until 2015 * Market shares for the Top 10 leading players within each niche clothing segment * Positioning maps highlighting market trends and growth opportunities
We estimate that the plus size sub sector will grow by 6.0% in 2011, outperforming the UK womenswear market by 1.4 percentage points and the petites and maternity sub sectors which we expect to grow by 5.7% and 3.6% respectively We forecast that petites sales will grow by 25.7% between 2010 and 2015, slightly outperforming the overall womenswear market. With the fashion sector largely underserved there are opportunities for retailers to expand ranges, especially where fashion trends and styling is very fit-specific The trend of starting a family later in life as women choose to become more financially secure before having their first child has supported growth of more premium and niche maternitywear players, since these customers are able to spend more on maternity clothing due to having higher disposable incomes and larger savings, increasing spend per head
Your key questions answered- Use Verdict’s practical and actionable analysis to shape future business strategy * Reduce risk and maximise opportunities, through understanding the key issues set to impact on the niche clothing markets in 2011 and beyond * Benchmark your performance and market share against leading sector players
Table of contents
Plus size offers most opportunity
Verdict view
Key findings
Plus size sub sector to outperform womenswear in 2011 with sales of £4.9bn …
… and to approach £6.0bn by 2015 as big opportunities are grasped;
Petites market to reach £0.9bn in 2011 …
… outperforming womenswear overall due to fashion trends;
Maternitywear resilient £160.0m sector, but relies on birthrates;
Opportunities remain in maternitywear in spite of increased competition.
Main conclusions
[Missing title]
MATERNITYWEAR
Sector becomes more competitive but growth opportunities remain
Verdict view
Key findings
Maternitywear market forecast to grow 3.6% in 2011;
Older first time mothers contribute to the rise in spend per head;
Market becomes more competitive as premium and niche specialists grow …
… and non-specialists muscle in;
Fashionability and celebrity culture come to the fore;
Mothercare stays on top as the maternitywear market leader.
Main conclusions
Growth remains low, but older first time mothers and improved availability increase spend per head
MATERNITYWEAR MARKET
Sub sector recovers from 2009 fall, but continues to underperform womenswear sector
Market shares
Womenswear players increase presence in the maternitywear market
Positioning map
Mid market becomes saturated, while space remains in the value sector
Market issues
Market reliant on birth rates
Women delay starting a family
Fashion and celebrities spark interest and refresh market
Non-specialists introduce and expand maternitywear ranges
Niche players become more prominent
Occasion and workwear opportunities
Forecast
Market to grow 19.3% by
MATERNITYWEAR RETAILERS
Mamas & Papas
Performance blooms as maternitywear offer expands
Opportunities/threats
Mothercare
Market leader still has growth opportunities
Opportunities/threats
New Look
Larger stores benefit maternitywear
Opportunities/threats
Next
Womenswear competitors threaten Next's market share
Opportunities/threats
Smaller maternitywear profiles
Dorothy Perkins
Gap
JoJo Maman Bébé
Pretty Pregnant
Topshop
PETITES
Value fashion opportunity in petites
Verdict view
Key findings
Petites market to reach £0.9bn in 2011;
Little change in female height in recent years …
… but average may now reduce due to ageing population profile;
Opportunities in value and fashion for new entrants;
Next the number one player;
Battle between Precis and Minuet intensifies.
Main conclusions
Petites bounces back as retailers invest in new ranges
PETITES MARKET
Absence of key value players impacts market growth
Market shares
Next the leading player
Positioning map
Value market underserved
Market issues
[Missing title]
Forecast
Opportunities for new entrants to drive growth
PETITES RETAILERS
Debenhams
New ranges boost petite market share
Opportunities/threats
Marks & Spencer
Opportunity to expand through branded ranges
Opportunities/threats
Minuet Petite
New team should drive sales
Opportunities/threats
Next
Wide choice makes it the number one player
Opportunities/threats
Precis
Highest market share of specialists
Opportunities/threats
Smaller petites profiles
Topshop
PLUS SIZE
Obesity and older population profile fuel growth
Verdict view
Key findings
Increasing obesity levels fuel demand for plus size clothing;
Big opportunities among young and old;
Demand for more fashionable items;
Dedicated plus size ranges can be simpler for retailers to produce but do not appeal to all shoppers;
Fit and style areas for improvement;
Online a key growth driver for plus size clothing as it replaces mail order.
Main conclusions
Plus size clothing set for further growth
PLUS SIZE MARKET
Growth continues but slows down
Market shares
Marks & Spencer boasts commanding lead
Positioning map
Little focus on fashion
Market issues
[Missing title]
Forecast
Plus size market to continue to grow
Other drivers
Other inhibitors
PLUS SIZE RETAILERS
Ann Harvey
Plus size brand in the Alexon Group
Opportunities/threats
ASOS
ASOS Curve hits the mark with its fashionable plus size offer
Opportunities/threats
Evans
Main specialist on the UK high street
Opportunities/threats
N Brown
Key player in the plus size market
Opportunities/threats
New Look
Small range targets broad customer base
Opportunities/threats
Smaller plus size profiles
H&M
M&S
APPENDIX
Financial Statistics – VAT
Trading Profile
Key Operating Ratios
Physical Development
Abbreviations
Methodology
Further reading
Ask the analyst
Global Retail FreeView
Verdict consulting
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