Size of the sports apparel and footwear markets worldwide in 2018

The combined value of the global sports apparel and footwear markets was 285.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, with the apparel market accounting for 155.2 billion U.S. dollars of that total.

The global sports market

The value of the worldwide sports market, which also includes equipment and bike sales, reached approximately 471 billion U.S. dollars in 2018. The United States was the leading country in terms of market value, generating around 152 billion U.S. dollars in sales – China, Japan, Germany, and France completed the top five. These five countries accounted for a 57 percent share of the global sports market that year.

What is the difference between sportswear and activewear?

Sportswear refers to clothing and footwear that are specifically designed for sports purposes. The items will have certain attributes that aim to improve performance, such as thermal properties or enhanced breathability. Activewear – also known as athleisure – is the term given to items that can be worn for sports but also for everyday activities, such as going for a coffee or downtown, providing both comfort and style.