According to a survey by the Sports Apparel Products
Council, sports apparel -- a $32.2B industry -- "is
revolutionizing the fashion industry and is directly responsible
for trends that affect both sexes spanning all age groups." Only
8% of the population uses sports apparel strictly for sports or
fitness activities, while 35% of the population wear sports
apparel exclusively for casual wear; 56% use it for both. Among
other results: 86% of consumers own sports apparel; Teens (13-17
year-olds) represent only 8.9% of all sports apparel wearers, but
account for 29% of sports apparel dollars spent. Teens own the
most licensed wear, basketball apparel and outdoorwear. The
average consumer shops for sports apparel 10 times a year and
spends an average of $193/year. Teens, however, shop for sports
apparel 22.9 times per year and spend an avg. of $311/year. Men
spend $201/year versus $187 for women. The top three categories
of sports apparel owned by men are licensed wear (65%), swimwear
(42%) and running wear (36%). For women, it's swimwear (63%),
followed by licensed wear (45%) and bodywear/aerobic wear (41%).
Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association Exec Dir Maria Stefan on
the impact of teens on apparel: "Teens are trendsetters and what
they wear ends up influencing the entire fashion industry"
(SGMA).
