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Luxury fabrics with functionality drive menswear line – AWI

02 Mar '06

1 min read

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) conveyed that Japan's domestic department store sales of men's clothing rose in Q4 2005, the third consecutive year-on-year increase since the June quarter.

While annual sales growth rate for 2005 may be marginal, it represents the first increase since 1996.

Since the peak in 1991, menswear sales consistently trended downwards, with the one exception in 1996 when the economy momentarily picked up before sinking back into the doldrums.

2005 was a ground-breaking year for the department stores who saw the first sign of recovery in 9 years, although sales are still only at half the strength they were 14 years ago.
Expectations of higher incomes encouraged Japan's consumers to spend on affordable luxury.

Men's upper priced suits at department stores reportedly enjoyed above year-earlier performance in the current autumn/winter, also after having fallen for four years.

The popularity of luxury fabrics and added functionality helped increase the unit prices of menswear lines. This looks like a great opportunity for wool to recover some market share by providing consumers with the affordable luxury they seek.

Australian Wool Innovation Ltd

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