Outlook for the US Apparel Industry

The industry has also had to contend with greater pressure from the retail sector. Faced with intense competition for market share, and in a battle to maintain consumer interest, US apparel retailers have shifted more of their sourcing offshore and intensified efforts to provide consumers with new ideas and better value for money. In turn, they have put greater pressures on their suppliers to provide them with more product innovation, better service and lower prices. Apparel makers have responded by accelerating the relocation of their production offshore. In the process, most of the larger groups have cut back on in-house manufacturing in favour of contracting-out.

The short-term outlook remains uncertain, especially in the light of the terrorist attacks on the USA on September 11. With the slowdown of the US economy since mid-2000, spending has become more conservative and many large apparel companies are suffering. On the other hand, the industry has become more dynamic, creative and efficient. In addition, it is now more international in its orientation, and its growing access to global supply and distribution networks should provide it with opportunities for capitalising on its wide range of powerful brand names.

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