Women Active Wear Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The women's activewear market is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.72% over the next five years.

The women's activewear market is growing at a significant growth rate due to the rising awareness among younger female adults, who are becoming more health-conscious and seeking out fitness and wellness activities such as gymming, sports, and yoga. Additionally, women's only gyms are gaining popularity across the world, with more women showing interest in physical activities. Several female-only fitness studios are sprouting across the world, intending to deliver effective exercises and dietary regimens to women of various ages and fitness levels in one location. This has increased women's participation in athleisure activities and gyms, thus driving the sales of women's activewear market. For instance, according to Clearinghouse, in the 2022 financial year, it was estimated that around 4.4 million women in Australia participated in fitness or gym activities. The number of females participating in fitness or gym activities outnumbered males participating in fitness or gym activities in the country, which was estimated to be around 3,590.5. Such trends and factors are expected to boost the sales of women's activewear products during the forecast period.

Also, technological improvements to synthetic fiber that have made products like spandex more flexible, durable, and washable than natural materials, celebrity collaborations with direct-to-consumer (D2C) and designer activewear brands, and the gradual blurring of lines between work attire and workout attire continue to propel this industry forward.

However, the presence of counterfeits is a cause for quality and safety issues, a constant battle for brands and consumers alike. For instance, a December 2021 report published by the EU's intellectual property office (EUIPO) also points to the trend. The value of counterfeits from Turkey tripled from 2019 to 2020, reaching nearly EUR 134 million. Such issues are leading to declining sales of the key activewear market players, negatively affecting market share.

Women Active Wear Market Trends

Growing Influence of Athleisure and Healthy Lifestyle Trends

The women's activewear market is driven by the increasing interest of women in sports worldwide. Unlike in the past days, women today are getting more interested in sports, and the participation rates in sports, gym, recreational activities, etc., are high. For instance, according to the AusPlay Survey 2021-22, the number of female adults participating in different sports in Australia was high in gyms and fitness clubs, which is estimated to be 3.7 million. In line with the athleisure trend, female consumers are increasingly seeking various sports equipment that includes footwear, clothing, and protective gear and accessories, which is driving the market sales.

Additionally, raising awareness amongst the people about health, fitness, and a continued shift toward more active lifestyles is driving the demand for leisure activities such as running and cycling gears across the world. The leisure time and sedentary lifestyles among women are affecting their health and thereby increasing their interest in active lifestyles. These are making them use their time in gyms and yoga centers, aiding the use and demand of activewear among women. Along with this, rapid urbanization and the increasing disposable income in developed countries are the factors pushing a way to buy sportswear for women in the world.

Furthermore, in developed European economies, expenditure on sporting goods and services is witnessing notable growth, owing to the increase in government investments, driving sport participation in the European countries. For instance, the government of Ireland announced details of its USD 258 million 10-year national sports policy, which aims to increase participation in sports to 50% of the population by 2027. Such trends are likely to support market growth in the region. Therefore, the increase in enthusiasm among women in sports and the awareness of active lifestyles are the factors contributing to the growth of the women's activewear market.

Asia-Pacific is the Fastest Growing Market

The growth of the activewear market in Asia-Pacific is driven by an upsurge in disposable income, changes in lifestyles, and an increase in urbanization in various countries of this region. Increasing urbanization and the growing desire to be fit among most of the women population in the region are supporting the market's growth. For instance, according to World Bank, in 2021, approximately a third of the total population (35.39%) in India lived in cities, an increase compared to 2020, when only 34.93% of the population lived in cities. This trend has been growing for a decade without declining. In support of this, the participation of women in physical activities and gyms is increasing at a significant rate which is further supporting the market's growth.

Countries like China and India have the largest millennial demographic and emerging as activewear hotspots. The growth of the market in general and the call for sustainable alternatives like cotton could see mass mobilizations with sustainability at the fore, which could give rise to new influencers, fashion experts, more indie D2C brands, collaborations, and retail experiences in the athleisure scene. For instance, in November 2022, the new clothing brand OG & Co. stepped into activewear and launched a men's and women's athleisure line made from sustainable materials, including hemp, bamboo, and beech wood. In addition, the Indian customer base has become increasingly health-conscious, which fuels the adoption of women's activewear in the region.

Women Active Wear Industry Overview

The women's activewear market is highly fragmented and consists of regional and international competitors. It is dominated by players like Nike Inc., Adidas AG, Under Armour, and The Columbia Sports Company, among others. Moreover, leading manufacturers in the market are focusing on leveraging opportunities posed by the emerging markets of Asia-Pacific, like Thailand and India, on expanding their revenue and market base. Companies compete based on different factors, including product offerings, material, design, size, and marketing activities, to gain competitive advantages in the studied market.

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