Sales of activewear in the United States last year were down in the mid-singles, according to The NPD Group’s Retail Tracking Service. NPD reports men’s activewear clothing declined in the mid-singles, women’s in the low singles and kids in the high singles.
It was a challenging year for outerwear tops, with sales down nearly 20 percent. Knit shirts declined in the low teens. Pant sales dropped in the low single-digits, while shorts grew in the low singles. Sweatshirt sales for the year were up in the mid-singles. Underwear bottoms grew by more than 20 percent, while undershirts were up in the mid-teens and bras in the low teens. Socks were down in the mid-singles.
Looking at major brands, the aggregate of all reporting retailers’ private label brands grew in the low teens. Nike activewear dropped in the mid-singles. Under Armour was down in the low singles but improved dramatically in the second half. Adidas apparel dropped in the low teens. Hanes sales grew by more than 25 percent, while Fruit of the Loom declined in the mid-singles. Puma apparel grew in the high teens, while Champion improved in the mid-singles.
