Winter Wear Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Coats & Jackets, Sweaters & Cardigans), By End Use (Men, Women), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2025

Report Overview

The global winter wear market size was valued at USD 268.3 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% % from 2019 to 2025. Dropping temperature below zero in many regions is attracting the demand for winter clothes to protect the body from frostbite. Moreover, several thin layers of clothing can be more effective at keeping you warm than one large, bulky layer, thereby increasing the volume sales of winter clothes. Changing fashion trends and frequent traveling by many people to cooler places for vacation and work purposes are also driving the global market over the forecast period.

Rise in demand for winter wear products among consumers due to an increase in global warming conditions, thereby lowering the weather temperature across the regions. However, the growth in the distribution channels across the apparel sector has formulated the demand for the product. The rise in the purchasing power of consumers, along with demand for the premium and branded products across different end-users, drives the market.

However, sudden changes in weather, along with depreciating environmental conditions, have increased the sales of winter wear clothing across different sectors. Moreover, a shift in consumer preferences from conventional towards newly arrived apparel, along with attraction towards light-weighted winter wear products, has fueled its growth in the forecast period.  

Rise in population density index, along with growth in per capita spending of the consumers, especially in developing countries such as India, China, and Brazil has uplifted the sales of the product in the market. Moreover, the rise in product innovations, along with the introduction of smart technology in the winter wear products, has provided a huge growth opportunity for the market. For instance, in February 2018, the Ministry of Supply, a high performing comfortable apparel company in Boston, launched a winter wear jacket equipped with automated temperature control and Alexa control features through the app.

Shrinking of the cold period in many countries due to global warming is affecting the sales of winter wear. People are mostly buying a lighter version of winter clothes since the heavy winter season is shortening. Moreover, due to the frequent change in trends, consumers are not ready to buy expensive clothes. The unorganized sectors significantly dominate the market in many countries. Whereas, due to the growing demand for luxury products among various users, various organized sectors have also invested and penetrated into this market.

Product Insights

Coats and jackets accounted for the largest share of 52.5% in 2018. The segment is driven by a rise in the use of jackets for different purposes such as trekking, bike riding, armors, tours, and travels, thereby uplifting its sales in the market. However, the light and durable products available in the market have also been a key factor driving the demand in the market. The product is used as a fashionable clothing product with a high level of comfort. However, its use as a premium product with a tough look and tear-resistant property makes it more popular among the consumers. Demand for coats is on the rise due to its acceptance in the corporate world. Moreover, it is used in party wear dress as casual attire, thereby driving its demand in the global winter wear market.

Sweaters and cardigans are anticipated to register the fastest CAGR of 5.6% from 2019 to 2025. The segment foresees growth due to the low cost of sweaters and wide use for low-temperature conditions by the consumers. However, woolen materials used as a raw product easily fit body shape, making it compatible for the consumers. However, the adoption of cardigans by the women in the market drives the segment over the forecast period.

End-User Insights

The men segment accounted for the largest share of 45.0% in the year 2018. The segment growth is attributed to trendy lifestyles and increasing penetration of men’s winter wear products in the fashion apparel. Products such as hoodies and V neck and round neck cardigans are gradually gaining acceptance in the men's market. However, the growth is significantly fueled by the acceptance of the jacket products as casual and business attire by the men’s category, thereby contributing to the growth of the market over the forecast period.

The women segment is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period. Penetration of different women wear products in the winter segment such as sweaters, shawls, and scarfs are driving the category. Moreover, acceptance of these products as a casual attire on festive occasions has contributed to the rise in demand for the product over the forecast period.

However, manufacturers always come up with new product launches due to the wide acceptance of trendy lifestyles from the women wear category. For instance, in the jackets segment, sleeveless products have gained acceptance in the market as both formal and casual attire in the industry.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific held the largest share of 35.2% in 2018. The market is driven by rise in acceptance of a wide categories of winter wear in countries such as China, Japan, and India, along with wide population base in the countries of Asia Pacific. Moreover, the winter wear apparel use in the region holds a significant share due to changing weather conditions in the countries of Southeast Asia.

Middle East and Africa is expected to register the highest CAGR of 7.6% over the forecast period on account of rising demand for globally trending winter wear products in countries such as Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. South Africa generated per person revenue of around USD 5.0 from winter wear products in relation to the country population figures in 2018. However, sudden changes in low-temperature conditions in the African countries have contributed to the rise in demand for the products over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Rising demand for winter wear products in developing countries such as China, India, and Japan leads to an increase in product innovations and developments, thereby fueling its demand in the market. The market is identified by several strategic activities such as mergers and acquisitions, product innovations, and capacity expansion.

Key manufacturers in the industry include Gap Inc.; VF Corporation; Columbia Sportswear Company; The North Face, Inc.; Patagonia, Inc.; Zara SA; Arc'teryx Equipment, Inc.; Recreational Equipment, Inc.; American multinational corporation Gap Inc.; and Crew Group, Inc. For instance, in November 2018, Eddie Bauer, LLC opened a new manufacturing facility in Austria for winter wear products in market. Some of the prominent players in the winter wear market include:

• Gap Inc.

• VF Corporation

• Columbia Sportswear Company

• The North Face, Inc.

• Patagonia, Inc.

• Zara SA

• Arc'teryx Equipment, Inc.

• Recreational Equipment, Inc.

• American multinational corporation Gap Inc.

• Crew Group, Inc.

Recent Developments

• In September 2022, Columbia Sportswear and Dude Perfect announced a new partnership that celebrated outdoors and inspired people to get outside. They will use Columbia’s Omni-Heat™ Infinity technology to stay warm and protected in their adventures.

Winter Wear Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2015 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global winter wear market report on the basis of product, end-user, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2025)

  • Coats & Jackets

  • Sweaters & Cardigans

  • Shawls & Scarves

  • Others

• End-User Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2025)

  • Men

  • Women

  • Children

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa