Japanese hosiery market to perform weakly through to 2016

The Japanese hosiery market is expected to perform weakly through to 2016, with a negative value compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1% predicted. This is slightly better compared with the CAGR of -2% see between 2006 and 2011.

The improvement in performance will be driven by unit price increases as rising production costs in China are transferred to retail prices, and consumers will be willing to upgrade their purchases of hosiery products offering value for money and added functions.

Potential threats to the Japanese hosiery market include increased import penetration. While domestically-made hosiery such as Tabio Corp's premium socks gained consumer loyalty, the increase of lower-price imported hosiery will impact retail prices, driving down value sales.

Tights suffered the strongest decline falling 4% in current value terms in 2011. Offering a wider variety of designs and colours in tights propelled the sales in 2010, however, a warmer winter in 2011 and the fast-paced Japanese hosiery environment shifted female consumers to other leg wear fashions such as stockings.

The hosiery environment is highly fragmented in the Japanese market. The top three players, such as Onward Holdings Co Ltd, Tabio Corp and Shimamura Co Ltd, accounted for less than 8% of total value combined, each holding just under 3% in 2011.

For more information on the Japanese hosiery market, see the latest research: Japanese Hosiery Market Report

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