Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global sports apparel market was valued at approximately 193 billion U.S. dollars in 2020
The global fitness apparel market is expected to reach a value of 271 billion U.S. dollars by the year 2025
The market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.2% from 2021 to 2028
Over 90% of consumers say they wear athletic apparel for activities other than working out
60% of millennials report buying activewear primarily for fashion rather than function
Nearly 70% of Gen Z consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable fitness products
Sustainable fitness apparel utilizing recycled polyester is expected to grow by 10% annually
Seamless knitting technology adoption in fitness wear is rising to reduce fabric waste by 30%
The demand for "squat-proof" leggings has increased search volume by 150% over the last 3 years
Online channels accounted for 43% of total global sportswear sales in 2020
Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) sales for major sportswear brands grew by over 30% in 2021
Mobile commerce sales of fitness apparel are expected to account for 54% of total e-commerce sales by 2025
Nike maintained its position as the most valuable apparel brand globally with a brand value of roughly $33 billion in 2022
Lululemon’s revenue increased by 42% to $6.3 billion in 2021
Adidas holds approximately 13% of the global sportswear market share
Competitive Landscape & Key Players
- Nike maintained its position as the most valuable apparel brand globally with a brand value of roughly $33 billion in 2022
- Lululemon’s revenue increased by 42% to $6.3 billion in 2021
- Adidas holds approximately 13% of the global sportswear market share
- Gymshark, a UK-based fitness brand, reached a valuation of over $1.3 billion solely through influencer marketing and DTC sales
- Under Armour reported revenue of $5.7 billion in 2021
- Anta Sports is the third-largest sportswear company in the world by revenue, dominating the Chinese market
- Puma reported a sales increase of 32% in 2021, reaching €6.8 billion
- Gap Inc.'s Athleta brand is on track to reach $2 billion in net sales by 2023
- VF Corporation (owner of The North Face) generates over $11 billion in annual revenue
- Sweaty Betty was acquired by Wolverine Worldwide for $410 million in 2021
- Alo Yoga exceeded $1 billion in sales in 2022
- Nike’s digital sales account for 26% of their total revenue
- Fabletics has over 2 million VIP members globally
- Decathlon operates over 1,700 stores in 60 countries, making it the largest sporting goods retailer by store count
- Champion (owned by HanesBrands) saw a 20% growth in global sales in 2021 due to streetwear trends
- ASICS reported a 108% profit increase in 2021 as running demand surged
- Revolve's activewear segment grew 45% faster than its fashion segment in 2021
- Skechers is the third largest footwear brand in the world, with revenues exceeding $6.29 billion in 2021
- Top 5 sportswear companies hold approximately 35% of the total fragmented global market
- New Balance reported revenue of $4.4 billion in 2021, a significantly higher growth rate than pre-pandemic
Interpretation
The fitness apparel industry is part sprint and part marathon, with entrenched giants like Nike, VF and Anta commanding massive value and revenue while nimble DTC and influencer-born challengers such as Gymshark, Alo and Fabletics turn memberships and social reach into billion dollar businesses, regional powerhouses and store-heavy players like Decathlon extend physical dominance, and blockbuster growth—from Lululemon’s 42% surge and Puma’s 32% jump to ASICS’s 108% profit spike and Revolve’s activewear outpacing fashion—coexists with fragmentation, as the top five hold only about 35 percent of the global market even while Adidas, Skechers, New Balance, Under Armour, Champion and others post significant gains and strategic deals such as Sweaty Betty’s acquisition point to consolidation ahead.
Consumer Behavior & Demographics
- Over 90% of consumers say they wear athletic apparel for activities other than working out
- 60% of millennials report buying activewear primarily for fashion rather than function
- Nearly 70% of Gen Z consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable fitness products
- Women control 80% of consumer spending in the sports apparel industry
- 40% of consumers have increased their spending on activewear since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Approximately 55% of men report wearing activewear for socializing
- Consumer interest in home fitness equipment and apparel rose by 500% during 2020 lockdowns in the US
- 72% of consumers prefer to buy activewear from brands that demonstrate body positivity
- Fans of sports leagues are 3 times more likely to purchase branded activewear than non-fans
- 35% of female consumers purchase activewear subscriptions (like Fabletics) for convenience
- Consumers aged 25-34 are the highest spenders in the fitness apparel category
- 46% of consumers cite "comfort" as the primary driver for purchasing fitness apparel
- Influencer marketing drives 25% of traffic to fitness apparel websites for Gen Z consumers
- 28% of consumers utilize "Buy Now, Pay Later" services when purchasing higher-end fitness gear
- The average American consumer spends roughly $112 per year on athletic footwear
- 85% of runners say that specific technical features (wicking, breathability) influence their purchase decisions
- Consumers in urban areas spend 20% more on activewear than those in rural areas
- Brand loyalty in fitness apparel is high, with 58% of consumers stating they stick to one or two preferred brands
- 65% of fitness apparel returns are due to poor fit, highlighting a consumer pain point
- One in three consumers has purchased activewear specifically for "working from home"
Interpretation
Think of fitness apparel as the new everyday uniform: comfort-first and fashion-forward, dominated by women who control 80% of spending, driven by millennials buying for style while Gen Z will pay more for sustainability, amplified by COVID-era home-fitness demand and buy-now-pay-later options, boosted by influencers, fandom and subscriptions among urban 25 to 34 year olds, yet still plagued by fit-related returns even as runners demand technical features.
Market Size & Growth
- The global sports apparel market was valued at approximately 193 billion U.S. dollars in 2020
- The global fitness apparel market is expected to reach a value of 271 billion U.S. dollars by the year 2025
- The market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.2% from 2021 to 2028
- North America dominated the activewear market with a share of 35.0% in 2020
- The women's activewear segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 60% in 2020
- The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.1% in the fitness apparel market from 2021 to 2028
- The global yoga clothing market size was valued at USD 33.68 billion in 2018
- The sports bra market is anticipated to reach $31.7 billion by 2026
- The global leggings market is expected to reach $48.2 billion by 2030
- Europe accounted for approximately 29% of the global activewear market share in 2019
- The compression wear and shapewear market is projected to reach $6.4 billion by 2024
- The menswear segment of the activewear market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% through 2027
- China's sportswear market is expected to reach roughly $82 billion by 2024
- The outdoor apparel market size was estimated at USD 13.9 billion in 2021
- The global athleisure market size is expected to reach USD 549.41 billion by 2028
- The antimicrobial textiles market for fitness applications is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period
- The global swimwear market is projected to reach $29.1 billion by 2025
- The children’s sportswear market is projected to cross $75 billion by the end of 2026
- The plus-size women's clothing market, including activewear, is expected to reach $261 billion by 2027
- The connected gym equipment and apparel market is set to grow by nearly 30% annually through 2025
Interpretation
The fitness apparel market has sprinted from about $193 billion in 2020 toward multi‑hundred‑billion forecasts thanks to mid‑single‑digit annual growth, women's activewear dominance, North American leadership and Asia Pacific momentum plus booming niches like leggings, sports bras, athleisure and connected gear, so brands that combine performance, inclusivity and smart technology will win the race.
Sales Channels & E-commerce
- Online channels accounted for 43% of total global sportswear sales in 2020
- Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) sales for major sportswear brands grew by over 30% in 2021
- Mobile commerce sales of fitness apparel are expected to account for 54% of total e-commerce sales by 2025
- Amazon Fashion holds approximately 15% share of the online activewear apparel market in the US
- Livestream shopping for fitness gear in China accounts for nearly 20% of e-commerce sales for the sector
- Social commerce sales (purchasing directly through apps like Instagram) for apparel are growing at 25% YoY
- Brands that offer free shipping on returns see a 17% increase in conversion rate for activewear
- Brick-and-mortar sporting goods stores saw a decline of 8% in foot traffic spread over the 2018-2022 period
- The resale market for second-hand branded activewear grew by 24% in 2021
- Omni-channel shoppers spend 4% more on every shopping trip in store and 10% more online than single-channel shoppers
- Asia Pacific region has the highest online penetration rate for sportswear at 45%
- Cart abandonment rates for fitness apparel sites average around 70%
- 80% of sports apparel shoppers check prices on Amazon before buying in a physical store
- Email marketing campaigns for fitness apparel generate an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent
- Click-and-collect (BOPIS) orders for sportswear increased by 60% during the pandemic era
- Personalized product recommendations on fitness sites increase revenue by up to 30%
- The average conversion rate for fitness apparel e-commerce websites is 1.9%
- Instagram generates 50% more engagement for fitness brands compared to Facebook
- Subscription box services for fitness apparel (e.g., Stitch Fix Active) have a retention rate of over 40%
- Cross-border e-commerce for sportswear grew at double the rate of domestic sales in 2021
Interpretation
Activewear has sprinted online: with roughly half of sales already digital and mobile poised to take the lead by 2025, brands are leaning hard into DTC, marketplaces, livestream and social commerce while using personalization, free-return policies and email and subscription tactics to squeeze more value from consumers, yet stubbornly high cart abandonment and a sub‑2 percent average conversion rate make it clear that convenience and trust—not just reach—will decide the winners.
Trends & Innovation
- Sustainable fitness apparel utilizing recycled polyester is expected to grow by 10% annually
- Seamless knitting technology adoption in fitness wear is rising to reduce fabric waste by 30%
- The demand for "squat-proof" leggings has increased search volume by 150% over the last 3 years
- Smart fabrics that monitor biometric data are predicted to reach a market value of $5.55 billion by 2025
- High-waisted leggings account for over 55% of all legging sales in 2021
- The use of odor-control technologies (like silver ions) in sportswear is projected to grow at 8% CAGR
- "Athflow," a trend combining professional elegance with yoga flexibility, was a top Pinterest trend in 2021
- Plant-based activewear fabrics (bamboo, eucalyptus) are seeing a 15% year-over-year increase in product launches
- Reflective technology for night running gear has seen a 20% increase in market penetration
- 3D printing in athletic footwear manufacturing potentially reduces production time by 50%
- Virtual fitting rooms for activewear brands have increased conversion rates by up to 25%
- Gender-neutral or unisex fitness collections increased by 30% in retail assortments in 2021
- 45% of new activewear product launches now claim "moisture-wicking" properties
- The "Barbiecore" trend led to a 34% spike in pink activewear sales in 2022
- Rise of "Court Core" (tennis and pickleball wear) grew by 53% in search interest in 2022
- Thermal activewear for outdoor winter sports is seeing a 5% annual growth in demand
- Maternity activewear is one of the fastest-growing niches, expanding at 15% CAGR
- Pocket integration in leggings has become a standard requirement for 80% of female buyers
- Subscription-based activewear models are projected to capture 10% of the total online market by 2025
- Retro and 90s-inspired sportswear styles saw a 40% resurgence in sales in retail markets in 2021
Interpretation
Smart, green and fashion-forward, the fitness apparel market is racing to pair recycled and plant-based fabrics with seamless knitting and 3D printing to cut waste and time, scale biometric and odor-control technologies and reflective and thermal offerings for safety and performance, and meet booming demand for squat-proof, high-waisted leggings with pockets plus inclusive, maternity and gender-neutral lines while riding trends from Athflow to Barbiecore and Court Core and boosting sales with virtual try-ons and subscription models, proving that brands must sweat style, sustainability and science in equal measure to win.
References
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