China : Beijing knitwear market analysis

 Some industrial sources complained that knitwear business is not so good in Beijing due to many variables in the market.

The weather is turning warmer, which is shortening the time to wear sweaters

More than 10 years ago, September and October used to be the months for wearing sweaters in a year, but now, with the gradual warming of global climate, the time for one to wear sweaters in a year has been significantly reduced. On the contrary, in the past there were eight months being sweaters sales season and four month as off-season.

But now, annual sweaters sales season only runs for four months, eight months become off-season. This makes a much smaller marketing space for pullovers than before in the overall market.

Clothing brands squeeze sweater brands

Along with gradual development of famous clothing brands in the market, many enterprises, who have been involved in production of men’s suits, male leisurewear, female fashion, female casual wear, now are extending to knitwear production to diversify their operation.

As a result, due to the influence carried by brands themselves, a large part of consumers will buy the same brands of sweaters, while purchasing other garments of the similar brands. This will much segregate single sweater consumer market.

The emergence of this phenomenon is dramatically shrinking the knitwear market for professional enterprises engaged in sweater production. Reflected in the retail field, special knitwear areas in the country's shopping malls rapid decline, knitwear zones even have disappeared from many shopping malls.
 
in the market, warm clothing categories have increased in recent years, with the rapid development of warm underwear, feather down clothing and cashmere industries, consumer’s choice of warm clothing varieties has greatly promoted. This has significantly inhibited the development of knitwear industry.

Changes in consumer’s dressing habits

This change is mainly embodied in the younger generation. They often wear a T-shirt inside and plus a down proof wear outside in winter season. Knitwear is no longer the necessary clothing for them. Even if they own several pullovers, the number would be relatively small, and they basically regard sweaters as mixed matches to certain clothing brands, which are their favorites.

Regarding the competition for men's clothing industry in Beijing, to achieve success of feather down clothing and men's leisurewear brands is relatively easier. The rapid growth of feather down wear and men's leisurewear brands, in fact, curbs the development of knitwear industry in Beijing.
 
 
Fibre2fashion, News Desk - China