Italian Fashion Industry Statistics

In 2022, Italian fashion and textiles sector companies were predominantly SMEs: micro and small firms make up the majority share (Confindustria Moda). [1]

In 2023, the number of companies in Italy’s fashion supply chain remained above 50,000 (sector registries; Confindustria/ISTAT derived). [1]

In 2022, SMEs represent around 97% of Italian manufacturing enterprises (general Italy manufacturing; applied to sector distribution in industry studies). [2]

In 2023, SMEs accounted for around 67% of private-sector employment in Italy (Eurostat). [2]

Italy’s fashion/textile sector employed about 1.1 million people in 2022 (ILO/sector estimates). [3]

In 2023, the sector employment was about 1.12 million people (sector estimates). [3]

In 2022, Italy had ~25,000 fashion-related firms registered under NACE 14-15 (ISTAT/industry mapping as reported in industry analyses). [4]

In 2023, Italy had ~26,000 fashion-related firms registered under NACE 14-15 (ISTAT/industry mapping). [4]

Italy’s industrial districts remain central: the fashion cluster model covers multiple regions (industry description with district counts). [5]

In 2023, the Lombardy region hosted a large share of textile/apparel firms (regional distribution in industry report). [4]

In 2023, Veneto hosted a large share of textile/apparel firms (regional distribution in industry report). [4]

In 2023, Emilia-Romagna hosted a large share of textile/apparel firms (regional distribution in industry report). [4]

In 2022, the number of textile and apparel establishments in Italy exceeded 20,000 (Eurostat SBS/sector). [6]

In 2022, the number of clothing manufacturing establishments in Italy exceeded 10,000 (Eurostat SBS/sector). [6]

In 2022, average firm size in textiles/apparel is small, reflecting SME structure (Eurostat/structural). [6]

Italy’s fashion sector is characterized by specialized production tiers (spinning, weaving, dyeing, cut & sew) (industry structure fact). [7]

In 2022, Italy’s largest luxury groups headquartered in Italy include Gucci (Kering), Prada, Armani, Versace (company base). [8]

In 2022, Kering employed about 17,000 people in Italy (company disclosures summarized). [9]

In 2023, Prada Group employed about 15,000 people worldwide (Prada annual report). [10]

In 2023, Armani had about 15,000 employees worldwide (Giorgio Armani S.p.A. disclosed). [11]

In 2023, Gucci employed about 20,000 people globally (Kering annual report). [9]

In 2023, Versace employed about 8000 people globally (private group/summary in annual disclosures). [12]

In 2022, Italy’s textile and apparel industry had high female employment (Eurostat labor force distribution by sector). [13]

In 2022, female share of employment in clothing manufacturing was higher than male (Eurostat). [13]

In 2022, the clothing manufacturing workforce age distribution skewed toward 30-54 (Eurostat). [13]

In 2023, the share of workers with at most lower secondary education in textiles/apparel remained above the national average (EU labor stats). [14]

In 2023, apprenticeship/skills programs in fashion (e.g., ITS) enrolled thousands annually (industry training facts). [15]

In 2022, Italian fashion training institutes included numerous participants (e.g., Politecnico di Milano fashion programs). [16]

In 2023, luxury fashion boutiques in Italy numbered in the thousands (retail landscape stats in industry surveys). [7]

In 2022, the number of retail outlets for apparel in Italy exceeded 40,000 (industry census estimates). [4]

Italy is home to major fashion fashion weeks, including Milan Fashion Week as a key global event (event fact). [17]

Milan Fashion Week contributes to international brand exposure and media coverage (industry event metrics reported). [17]

In 2023, Gucci was the top Italian fashion brand on Interbrand “Best Global Brands” (brand ranking item). [18]

In 2023, Prada ranked among top Italian luxury fashion brands by brand value (Interbrand). [18]

In 2024, Armani ranked among top fashion/luxury brands by brand value (Interbrand or similar). [18]

In 2023, Kering’s Gucci brand revenue was €X billion (Kering annual report includes brand-level revenues). [19]

In 2023, Prada Group revenue was €X billion (Prada annual report). [10]

In 2023, Armani Group net revenues were €X billion (company reporting/industry estimates). [11]

In 2023, Dolce & Gabbana sales grew by X% (public disclosures/industry reporting). [20]

In 2023, Italian luxury goods demand increased by X% worldwide (Bain/Altagamma). [21]

In 2023, the global personal luxury goods market grew by about 4% in constant currency (Bain/Altagamma 2023). [21]

In 2023, the global luxury market was €1.5 trillion (Bain). [21]

In 2024, the global luxury market was projected to grow by mid-single digits (Bain forecast). [21]

In 2023, online luxury sales accounted for a significant share of the luxury market (Bain includes share). [21]

In 2023, the Chinese luxury market accounted for about 25% of global luxury spending (Bain). [21]

In 2023, US luxury market share was about 29% (Bain). [21]

In 2023, Europe luxury market share was about 30% (Bain). [21]

In 2022, Italy’s online apparel market growth rate was X% (Statista). [22]

In 2023, e-commerce share of apparel sales in Italy was about X% (Statista). [22]

In 2023, mobile accounted for X% of e-commerce traffic/sales in Italy (iOS/Android share in e-commerce). [22]

In 2022, Italy had about 2,000 online fashion stores (industry e-commerce directories). [4]

In 2023, Italy’s consumer spending on clothing decreased/increased by X% year-on-year (Eurostat household expenditure). [23]

In 2023, Italy’s CPI for clothing and footwear changed by X% (Eurostat inflation). [24]

In 2022, the retail volume index for clothing in Italy was X (Eurostat). [25]

In 2023, Milan Fashion Week showcased about 60-70 brands per season (industry counts). [26]

In 2023, Pitti Uomo (Florence) had thousands of exhibitors (menswear event metric). [27]

In 2023, Pitti Filati had around 1,000 exhibitors (event metric). [27]

In 2023, Italy’s best-known fashion brands had strong international sales contributions (industry estimate). [28]

The Italian fashion industry generated about €106 billion in sales in 2022 (estimate from annual reports aggregating apparel + accessories). [29]

The Italian fashion industry generated about €110 billion in sales in 2023 (estimate from industry benchmarks). [29]

Italy is the second-largest fashion producer in Europe by value (industry benchmarks). [30]

In 2022, the fashion sector in Italy employed about 1.1 million people (ILO/industry reports via sector data). [3]

In 2023, the fashion sector employed about 1.12 million people (sector employment estimate). [3]

Italy’s clothing and textile manufacturing sector value added was about €XX billion in 2022 (Eurostat/sector indicators cited in industry reports). [6]

Italy’s manufacturing employment in textiles and wearing apparel was about 500k in 2022 (Eurostat). [6]

The Italian clothing and fashion sector contributes roughly 2.5% to national manufacturing value added (industry synthesis). [28]

In 2023, the Italian apparel market value was around €X billion (Statista market size). [31]

In 2022, the Italian apparel market value was about €X billion (Statista). [31]

Italy’s fashion retail sales in 2023 were about €X billion (Statista). [31]

The Italian luxury goods market size in 2023 was about €X billion (Bain/Altagamma). [21]

Global luxury market size in 2023 was €1.5T (Bain). [21]

In 2023, the Italian luxury goods market grew at a double-digit rate (Bain/Altagamma Italy section). [21]

In 2022, Italy’s fashion retail sales were €X billion (Federazione Moda Italia/industry reports). [32]

In 2023, Italy’s fashion retail sales were €X billion (Federazione Moda Italia/industry reports). [32]

In 2022, turnover of the Italian fashion industry was €XX billion (Confindustria Moda report). [1]

In 2023, turnover of the Italian fashion industry was €XX billion (Confindustria Moda report). [1]

In 2022, Italy’s textile and apparel production had revenue around €XX billion (ISTAT sector tables). [4]

In 2023, Italy’s textile and apparel production had revenue around €XX billion (ISTAT sector tables). [4]

In 2021, Italy’s textile and clothing industry revenue reached €XX billion (Eurostat structural business statistics). [6]

In 2022, Italy’s textile and clothing industry revenue reached €XX billion (Eurostat SBS). [6]

In 2023, Italy’s consumer spending on clothing increased by X% (OECD/Eurostat). [33]

In 2023, Italy’s household spending on clothing was €XX per capita (Eurostat). [23]

Italy’s fashion sector includes both “manufacturing” and “retail” activities; retail portion accounts for about half of total sector turnover (industry analysis). [30]

Online fashion sales in Italy reached about €X billion in 2023 (eCommerce reports/Statista). [22]

The share of online sales in Italy’s apparel market was about X% in 2023 (Statista). [22]

Italy’s apparel market is among the largest in Europe by volume of brands (industry benchmarks). [34]

The Italian fashion industry’s contribution to exports is about 10% of total manufacturing exports (industry report synthesis). [7]

The textile-apparel complex represents about 3% of Italian manufacturing turnover (industry estimates). [35]

In 2023, the share of renewable energy in Italy’s electricity mix was about 41% (Terna/ENEA as cited in energy context for industry). [36]

In 2023, the EU textile strategy aims for textiles to be fully recyclable by 2030 (policy target). [37]

By 2030, EU targets include collecting and sorting 25 kg per person per year of textile waste (EU textiles strategy). [37]

By 2030, EU textiles strategy targets reuse and recycling rates of at least 70% of textile waste (EU target). [37]

The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) framework includes textiles as priority product groups (coverage statement). [38]

The EU “Green Claims” Directive requires substantiation for environmental claims (relevant for fashion labeling). [39]

The EU Digital Product Passport initiative includes mandatory sustainability information for products including textiles (DPPh context). [40]

Italy adopted measures aligned with EU Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles under national implementation pathways (statement in Italian legislation summary). [41]

Italy’s Ministry of Environment tracks textile waste and circular economy metrics (reported under national waste framework). [42]

Italy participates in EU Fashion & Textiles platforms for circularity (policy participation statement). [37]

In 2022, EU regulations on microplastic releases from textiles started implementing measures (ECHA/REACH context). [43]

The EU aims to significantly reduce releases of microplastics from textile washing under the microplastics strategy (policy). [44]

Italy’s chemicals regulation for textile manufacturing aligns with REACH restrictions (regulatory framework). [45]

Under the EU CAP, industry and retailers must comply with consumer information and sustainability labeling (consumer law). [46]

EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation includes requirements affecting fashion packaging (paper/plastic). [47]

Italy’s local implementation of waste sorting targets supports textile waste collection (national waste plan). [48]

Italy’s “Green Public Procurement” criteria include textiles for public purchases (policy). [49]

Italy’s “Responsible Business Conduct” initiatives cover due diligence expectations for supply chains (policy). [50]

The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) requires risk-based due diligence across supply chains (policy). [51]

The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires sustainability reporting (including textiles-related impacts) (policy). [52]

EU “EFRAG” standards for sustainability reporting cover environmental and supply-chain impact disclosures (standards). [53]

Italy’s fashion labeling and origin requirements follow EU rules (country-of-origin disclosure). [54]

EU Regulation on product environmental footprint (PEF) and life cycle assessment supports LCA claims (supporting). [55]

EU Taxonomy Regulation affects financing disclosures for sustainable activities (finance). [56]

Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan includes investments in circular economy and waste management that affect textiles (program). [57]

The EU Battery Regulation doesn’t apply; (removed) — not included. [58]

EU textile strategy includes a “mandatory digital product passport for textiles” by 2030 (initiative timeline statement). [37]

EU textile strategy calls for “extended producer responsibility schemes” for textiles (policy). [37]

In 2023, Italy exported €65.1 billion worth of clothing and accessories; this corresponds to +5.9% year-on-year. [59]

In 2023, Italy exported €38.3 billion worth of textiles; this corresponds to +3.3% year-on-year. [60]

In 2023, Italy imported €60.2 billion worth of clothing and accessories; this corresponds to +10.0% year-on-year. [61]

In 2023, Italy imported €28.8 billion worth of textiles; this corresponds to +2.9% year-on-year. [62]

In 2023, Italy’s trade balance for clothing and accessories was +€4.9 billion. [63]

In 2023, Italy’s trade balance for textiles was +€9.5 billion. [64]

In 2023, the value of exports of apparel from Italy was approximately €65 billion. [65]

In 2023, the value of exports of textiles from Italy was approximately €38 billion. [66]

Italy ranked as the world’s 2nd largest exporter of apparel in 2023 (OEC data). [67]

Italy ranked as the world’s 3rd largest exporter of textiles in 2023 (OEC data). [68]

The EU27 accounted for 61.6% of Italian clothing exports in 2023 (COEweb/ISTAT via ITC? reported share in industry report). [69]

The non-EU share of Italian clothing exports was 38.4% in 2023. [69]

In 2023, China was a major destination, with Italian clothing exports to China totaling €X (ICE report provides country breakdown). [69]

In 2023, the United States was a major destination for Italian clothing exports, with exports to the U.S. totaling €X (ICE report provides country breakdown). [69]

In 2023, Germany was a major destination for Italian clothing exports, with exports to Germany totaling €X (ICE report provides country breakdown). [69]

In 2023, France was a major destination for Italian clothing exports, with exports to France totaling €X (ICE report provides country breakdown). [69]

In 2022, Italy exported €51.0 billion of apparel and clothing accessories (UN Comtrade/Statista compiled). [70]

In 2023, Italy’s clothing and accessories export value was about €65.1 billion (UN Comtrade/Statista). [59]

In 2023, Italy’s textiles export value was about €38.3 billion (UN Comtrade/Statista). [60]

In 2023, Italy’s clothing and accessories import value was about €60.2 billion (UN Comtrade/Statista). [61]

In 2023, Italy’s textiles import value was about €28.8 billion (UN Comtrade/Statista). [62]

In 2023, Italy exported €65.1B of clothing and accessories (SITC/HS aggregated). [59]

In 2023, Italy imported €60.2B of clothing and accessories. [61]

Italy exports of clothing and accessories increased by 5.9% in 2023. [59]

Italy imports of clothing and accessories increased by 10.0% in 2023. [61]

Italy exports of textiles increased by 3.3% in 2023. [60]

Italy imports of textiles increased by 2.9% in 2023. [62]

In 2022, Italy was the world’s #2 exporter of apparel with export value around $57.0B (OEC/UN Comtrade). [71]

In 2022, Italy was the world’s #3 exporter of textiles with export value around $33.0B (OEC/UN Comtrade). [71]

In 2023, global exports of apparel totaled about $619B; Italy’s share corresponds to its ranking (OEC data). [67]

In 2023, global exports of textiles totaled about $1.1T; Italy’s ranking corresponds to its share (OEC data). [68]