Developing countries strong at apparel spend & brand appeal

10 Oct '05

4 min read

Retail Forward's Global Softgoods Shopper Update report is based on the GMIPoll online Omnibus survey of 1,000 consumers in 13 select countries. Retail Forward's report analyzes the responses of those consumers to questions about their shopping frequency, behavior and attitudes related to shopping for apparel.

"Our research indicates that shoppers are buying more apparel-more often higher quality apparel-from apparel specialty stores and to a lesser extent from traditional department stores," states Frank Badillo, author of the Global Softgoods Shopper Update and Manager of the Global Retailing Program of the Retail Forward Intelligence System. "Conversely, demand for apparel at hypermarkets and supercenters is less robust in less developed retail markets."

Consumers surveyed in less-developed retail markets also indicated a strong interest in buying and paying more for well-known or familiar clothing brands than shoppers in more well-developed markets.

At the same time, a high share of shoppers surveyed across most countries is willing to try an unfamiliar clothing brand if it is recommended by someone or if the price or style is right.

Among the findings from the Shopper Update report:

Clothing and department stores remain favored, but face challengers.

Clothing, specialty and department stores are holding up well across most countries as the store types where most consumers prefer to buy clothing and accessories most often.

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