The NPD Group has released the year-end results for the U.S. apparel market in 2010, noting that consumers returned to spending on apparel, particularly in the adult markets. After having declined just over 5 percent in 2009, the U.S. apparel market returned to positive territory with an almost 2 percent increase for 2010.
In this sector of the fashion market Women’s apparel sales increased 2.9 percent in 2010 after having declined almost 5 percent in 2009, and the men’s market is up just over 3 percent in 2010 after a 5.6 percent decline in 2009. The children’s apparel market is down in dollar sales but up almost 1 percent in unit sales. “Consumers bought what they wanted, when they wanted, where they wanted and they shopped in more outlets,” Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at The NPD Group, said in a statement.
Yet evidence of a widening scope of shopping destinations can be found in the double-digit growth posted by the online channel, where online sales of adult apparel grew almost 10 percent in 2010. “Consumers are finding what they want online and the store is always open,” says Cohen, “I don’t think that the days of consumers going into a physical store are over, but I do think that retailers have to improve the in-store experience and find ways to complement the online experience.”