The apparel industry has gone through a significant transformation in the past few years, with the advent of new technologies, changing consumer preferences, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a fast-paced, ever-changing world, the consumer goods industry remains at the forefront of innovation. As technology advances and consumer preferences evolve, businesses in this sector must stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive and relevant.

After the great shock exerted by the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, as well as on world trade, 2021 fortunately marked the beginning of a path to recovery.

International trade data can represent an accurate barometer of the state of the health of the global economy, even more so in the current extraordinary circumstances, that require up-to-date monitoring for companies involved in international business.

Obesity levels remain high in America, as 70% of adults are either obese or overweight, with no sign of an improvement in sight. More women are joining the size acceptance movement and are demanding fashionable clothes for “plus size” persons, and other services catering to them, including dating services, specialty beds, and medical equipment.

Powerful forces are turning the retail apparel industry upside down.

“The retail apparel business has always been tough,” said Jack W. Plunkett, CEO of Plunkett Research Ltd, in a video on the topic. “But it’s become much worse, frankly, in recent years.”

For many people, marriage is a blessed arrangement, a dream within a dream...

For the jewelry industry, it’s a major driver of sales.

According to some estimates, 95% of couples exchange rings along with marriage vows, and the “gold standard” for the majority of US brides is a ring encrusted with at least one diamond.  

Thus, US personal consumption expenditures (in nominal terms) on jewelry are expected to advance 3.1% annually to 2020 as the number of new marriages continues to grow.  

Macy’s stock plunged 47 percent in the last year. Gap, Nordstrom, and Kohl’s also reported a drop in sales. What’s causing the slump? According to Business Insider, “Executives from nearly every company blamed a spending pullback in one common category for the declines: apparel.”

Although many consumers are reluctant to purchase new clothes, footwear is a different story. Footwear has outpaced apparel, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6 percent over 2010-2015 in comparison to 4 percent for apparel, according to a report by Euromonitor. 

In 2015, the market experienced a stampede of wearable devices. Consumers had access to some of the newest tech devices that were able to track movement, heartbeats, location, and more. However, many consumers found that these wearables came up short. Costs were high, and expectations for accuracy were not always met. Wearable devices held a 30 percent return rate and high product abandonment after six months.

This doesn’t mean consumers should give up hope. Although our main introduction to wearables has consisted of watches and wristbands, the future is looking even bigger, and is more focused on smart textiles and clothing.

Through Profound, users can access the world’s leading business intelligence providers in one convenient platform. With more than 200 publishers across 700 industry sectors, Profound offers a vast array of market research reports to choose from.

In this new blog series, we’ll give you an inside look at specific publishers on Profound. You'll have the opportunity to learn more about the reports they publish and what differentiates them from other publishers on the market.

Today, we’re interviewing Aroq, publisher of just-auto, just-drinks, just-food, and just-style — a publisher that provides timely news, analysis, and market intelligence. Find out more in the Q&A below.