The global hosiery market size was projected at USD 33.6 billion, in 2018. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecasted years, 2019 to 2025. This growth can be attributed to the increase in the need for durable clothing which provides comfort for the working and sports professionals. Also, it is becoming popular among females due to the virtually invisible aspect and the natural looks.
To improve sales, the major players are continuously developing various designs using various fabrics such as patterned knee socks, body stockings, sheer back tights, etc. Key players like Jockey and Sock Dreams are developing such products. The latest technologies and inventions such as laser and ultrasonic techniques are being used to offer such products.
The advances in these technologies can prevent fraying of the clothes and provide perfect cutting edges and seal them. The manufacturers are also designing their products to create the fabrics as per the weather conditions with perfect elasticity and microbial finish. Also, some of the third-party manufacturers are providing training to the individuals for manufacturing hosiery products such as Adaptive Textile and Disabled Living Foundation (DLF). Consumers prefer strong elastic products which do not obstruct the blood circulation flow.
The influence of e-commerce on consumers is also shifting the trend for the purchase of hosiery products. The major factors influencing this growth are ease of shopping, doorstep and hassle-free delivery, and quick replacement policies. As these options are being made available by online retailers, the market for hosieries is projected to boost in the upcoming years. The rise in disposable income and changing lifestyle is expected to transform the demand for these products through online channels.
As the cases of obesity among people are increasing, the need for the plus size hosieries is increasing rapidly. The U.S. has more than 60% of the adults who are obese who do not show any signs of physical improvement. Thus, the manufacturers have also started launching various products to cater to the increasing demand for plus-size hosiery products, considering the rising demand of men and women across various countries.
In 2018, the segment for non-sheer hosiery products held the larger share of 85.7%. The products included in this category were mainly various types of socks such as ankle, dress, and training, etc. These segments are mostly preferred by the working population, kitchen staff, and nurses. They are also becoming popular in the masses due to their comfort and ease of wearing them.
The Sheer hosiery segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment accounting CAGR of 5.1% during, 2019-2025. The major consumers that consume such products are the millennials and the young population. These products are popular among people residing in developed regions such as North America and Europe. Their demand from the regions of APAC and MEA is also expected to surge during the forecasted years owing to their comfort.
According to the application segment, women accounted for the largest share of 82% in 2018. The increase in demand for these products for physical workout and professional use has been on the rise due to their fashionable looks and comfort. Also, there is a growing preference for products with different designs and colors that have been on the rise recently, which is projected to drive market growth in the upcoming years.
The application segment of men is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment with a CAGR of 4.5% from the year 2019 to 2025. This growth can be attributed to the increase in the demand for sportswear for workout purposes. Weather adaptive tights and shorts are gaining popularity among men. The major players such as Nike Inc. and Adidas Inc. offer different types of hosieries according to their usage while performing various physical activities.
In 2018, the region of North America accounted for the largest share of 37.4% in the hosiery market. The rising demand for various stylish and comfortable fabrics is anticipated to boost the market growth of hosieries. To meet the rising demand, the manufacturers have started to sell their products through online portals. They have also started using technologies such as big data and machine learning to promote the sale of their products.
Asia Pacific is anticipated to account for the largest CAGR of 5.0% during the forecasted years, 2019 to 2025. Increasing preference for sportswear and fashion is expected to drive the demand for hosieries in these regions. Increasing per capita income among the working population and willingness to spend more for comfort and fashion is positively impacting the growth of the market.
The Key players in this market are Hanesbrands; Jockey; Adidas America Inc.; Spanx, Inc.; and Gilden Activewear Inc. These companies are focusing on delivering premium products, based on the regional demands of the consumers.
Attribute |
Details |
The base year for estimation |
2018 |
Actual estimates/Historical data |
2015 - 2017 |
Forecast period |
2019 - 2025 |
Market representation |
Revenue in USD Billion & CAGR from 2019 to 2025 |
Regional scope |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America, Middle East & Africa |
Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company share, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
Country Scope |
U.S., Germany, U.K., China, India, Brazil |
15% free customization scope (equivalent to 5 analyst working days) |
If you need specific information, which is not currently within the scope of the report, we will provide it to you as a part of the customization |
This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2015 to 2025. For this study, Million Insights has segmented the global Hosiery market report based on product, application, and region:
• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2025)
• Sheer
• Non-sheer
• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2025)
• Women
• Men
• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2025)
• North America
• U.S.
• Europe
• Germany
• U.K.
• the Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Central & South America
• Brazil
• Middle East & Africa
Research Support Specialist, USA