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Executive Summary

Belgian clothing market continues to flourish

The share of clothing in total consumer spending in Belgium remains high and Belgians are among the highest spenders on clothing per capita. Despite the high level of spending, the clothing market is limited by the number of inhabitants, with a population of just 10.4 million. However, both volume and value sales are expected to see continued healthy growth over the forecast period.

Volume sales outpace value growth

Forecasts for women’s and men’s outerwear continue to show a higher growth in volume than in value terms. Intense competition will continue to put pressure on clothing prices. Growth in the smart casual segment grew further, at the expense of formal wear, while growth in leisurewear and sportswear will increase to a lower degree for clothing, as for footwear leisure and sport products are expected to increase.

Girl’s clothing has highest growth among childrenswear

Infant clothing saw the fastest volume and value growth in 2006. However girls clothing continues to dominate childrenswear sales. Sales of outdoor jackets, trousers and tops for children aged 2-11 years showed the biggest growth in 2006. Other product groups increased slightly. Among boys, the popularity of sports and skate wear brands is continuing to grow. The market expects more positive developments in spending on childrenswear including boys and infant clothing in the coming years.

Sportswear boosted by healthier lifestyles

The outerwear market can be divided into several segments based on the type of product combined with the type of activity, resulting in specific clothing behaviour. The active sports segment will continue to expand its influence on the leisure and casual segments. Formal wear will lose out to these sectors but ‘smart casual’ will be further influenced by the workplace and will continue high growth.

Outsourcing results in falling prices and rising sales

Most production of clothing moved to lower cost countries, with outsourcing now more common. China, The Netherlands, France and Germany remained the leading suppliers of outerwear to Belgium, but fast growing suppliers of outerwear during the review period included Bangladesh, Romania, India, Sri Lanka, Lithuania, Mauritius and the US.

Private labels becoming the brands of today

In addition to being price and quality-conscious, Belgian consumers are also brand-conscious. A recent trend, however, is diminishing brand-loyalty: branded clothing is now more combined with private labels of H&M or Zara.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Belgian clothing market continues to flourish
Volume sales outpace value growth
Girl’s clothing has highest growth among childrenswear
Sportswear boosted by healthier lifestyles
Outsourcing results in falling prices and rising sales
Private labels becoming the brands of today

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Competition among retailers brings prices down
Belgians remain highest spenders in the clothing industry
Size and age influence the clothing market
Increasing male interest in fashion
Childrenswear starting to follow same fashion trends as adults

MARKET DATA

Table 1 Sales of Clothing and Footwear by Sector: Volume 2001-2006
Table 2 Sales of Clothing and Footwear by Sector: Value 2001-2006
Table 3 Sales of Clothing and Footwear by Sector: % Volume Growth 2001-2006
Table 4 Sales of Clothing and Footwear by Sector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 5 Clothing and Footwear Company Shares 2004-2006
Table 6 Clothing and Footwear Brand Shares 2004-2006
Table 7 Sales of Clothing and Footwear by Distribution Format: % Analysis 2001-2006
Table 8 Forecast Sales of Clothing and Footwear by Sector: Volume 2006-2011
Table 9 Forecast Sales of Clothing and Footwear by Sector: Value 2006-2011
Table 10 Forecast Sales of Clothing and Footwear by Sector: % Volume Growth 2006-2011
Table 11 Forecast Sales of Clothing and Footwear by Sector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

DEFINITIONS
Clothing
Footwear
Summary 1 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - BELGIUM

C&A BELGIQUE SA - CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 2 C&A Belgique SA: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 3 C&A Belgique SA: Competitive Position 2006

EURO SHOE GROUP - CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 4 Euro Shoe Group: Key Facts
Summary 5 Euro Shoe Group: Operational Indicators, 2006
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 6 Euro Shoe Group: Competitive Position 2006

HENNES & MAURITZ (H&M) BELGIUM SA - CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 7 Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) Belgium SA: Key Facts
Summary 8 Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) Belgium SA: Operational Indicators
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 9 Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) Belgium SA: Competitive Position 2006

LEVI STRAUSS BELGIUM SA - CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 10 Levi Strauss Belgium SA: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 11 Levi Strauss Belgium SA: Competitive Position 2006

ZARA BELGIQUE SA - CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 12 Zara Belgique SA: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 13 Zara Belgique SA: Competitive Position 2006

CLOTHING IN BELGIUM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 12 Sales of Clothing by Subsector: Volume 2001-2006
Table 13 Sales of Clothing by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 14 Sales of Clothing by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2001-2006
Table 15 Sales of Clothing by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 16 Sales of Men’s Outerwear by Type 2001-2006
Table 17 Sales of Women’s Outerwear by Type 2001-2006
Table 18 Sales of Childrenswear by Type 2001-2006
Table 19 Clothing Company Shares by Retail Value 2004-2006
Table 20 Clothing Brand Shares by Retail Value 2004-2006
Table 21 Sales of Clothing by Distribution Format: % Analysis 2001-2006
Table 22 Forecast Sales of Clothing by Subsector: Volume 2006-2011
Table 23 Forecast Sales of Clothing by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 24 Forecast Sales of Clothing by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2006-2011
Table 25 Forecast Sales of Clothing by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

FOOTWEAR IN BELGIUM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 26 Sales of Footwear by Subsector: Volume 2001-2006
Table 27 Sales of Footwear by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 28 Sales of Footwear by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2001-2006
Table 29 Sales of Footwear by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 30 Sales of Footwear by Type 2001-2006
Table 31 Footwear Company Shares by Retail Value 2004-2006
Table 32 Footwear Brand Shares by Retail Value 2004-2006
Table 33 Sales of Footwear by Distribution Format: % Analysis 2001-2006
Table 34 Forecast Sales of Footwear by Subsector: Volume 2006-2011
Table 35 Forecast Sales of Footwear by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 36 Forecast Sales of Footwear by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2006-2011
Table 37 Forecast Sales of Footwear by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

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