Children’s Wear Market

Children’s Wear Market Size:

The global children’s wear market size reached USD 302.1 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 437.1 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during 2025-2033. The keenness among people to follow fashion trends influenced by social media and celebrity endorsements, need for sustainable and health-conscious clothing, and continuous advancements in design and technology are some of the factors impelling the market growth.

Children’s Wear Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The market is experiencing steady growth because of the increasing focus on children's fashion and style, coupled with the willingness of parents to spend more on high-quality clothing for their children.
• Key Market Trends: The rising need of customized and personalized clothing items worldwide is bolstering the children’s wear market growth.
• Geographical Trends: Asia Pacific dominates the market attributed to the increasing urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and changing lifestyles.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the major market players in the children’s wear industry include Adidas AG, Benetton Group Srl, Carter’s, Inc., Cotton On Clothing Pty Ltd, DIESEL USA Inc., Dolce&Gabbana S.r.l., Esprit Global Image GmbH, Fruit of the Loom, Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Levi Strauss & Co., Mothercare plc, NIKE, Inc., The Children’s Place, Inc., Gap Inc., and V.F. Corporation, among many others.
• Challenges and Opportunities: The rising production costs, supply chain disruptions, and changing user preferences pose challenges to children's wear market revenue. However, the adoption of sustainable practices, leveraging digital technologies for personalized shopping experiences, and expansion into untapped markets through strategic partnerships or acquisitions are strengthening the market growth.

Children’s Wear Market Trends:

Growing Emphasis on Sustainability and Ethical Practices

Parents are becoming aware about the environmental and social consequences of their buying choices, resulting in a rising desire for sustainable and ethically produced clothing. Companies are focusing on sustainability by incorporating organic materials and decreasing carbon emissions, which is propelling the market growth. For instance, in April 2021, Carter's introduced KIDCYCLE™, a program in partnership with TerraCycle®, to recycle baby and children's clothing across the country and minimize landfill waste. Parents had the opportunity to accumulate Rewarding Moments points, which allowed them to participate in sustainability initiatives easily.

Rise of Online Retail Channels and Omnichannel Strategies

The emergence of online retail platforms and the adoption of omnichannel tactics are offering a favorable children's wear market outlook. Online platforms offer a convenient alternative for parents to make purchases without the need to physically go to stores. Omnichannel strategies effortlessly combine digital and physical channels to improve user interaction. Companies allocate funds to digital advertising, easy-to-navigate websites, and mobile applications to enhance their visibility on the internet. Moreover, building physical stores enhances digital initiatives by offering hands-on experiences to buyers and strengthening brand recognition. In February 2024, Carter's opened a new kids and baby apparel store in Huber Heights, Ohio, expanding its retail presence. The store operates in NorthPark Shopping Center, offering a range of children's clothing brands.

Shift in Parental Preferences towards Gender-Neutral Clothing

Parents are intentionally turning away from traditional gender expectations, opting for adaptable styles and colors appropriate for any child. This change is in line with larger social movements that support inclusivity and diversity, encouraging companies to expand their offerings to cater to a more diverse range of preferences and identities. By providing gender-neutral choices, brands support parents' changing preferences and help promote an inclusive atmosphere for kids to freely express themselves beyond societal norms. In June 2023, Nike demonstrated their dedication to inclusivity and diversity by unveiling the gender-inclusive 'Kids One Fit' apparel line for Pride month, encouraging acceptance and representation in clothing options for children of all gender identities.

Children’s Wear Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product category, consumer group, gender, and distribution channel.

Breakup by Product Category:

• Apparel
• Footwear
• Others
   

Apparel represents the leading market segment

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product category. This includes apparel, footwear, and others. According to the report, apparel represented the largest segment.

Apparel exhibits a clear dominance in the market owing to the vital role of clothing, such as tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, and accessories, in daily lives. Parents appreciate clothes that are comfortable as well as stylish for their children, which is leading to higher children’s wear demand for different ages and occasions. Apart from this, continuous change in fashion trends and the desire for unique outfits for kids in various events is strengthening the market growth. Moreover, key players and retailers are focusing on developing novel children’s wear that consists of new styles and materials to cater to different preferences of parents.

Breakup by Consumer Group:

• Infant (0-12 Months)
• Toddler (1-3yrs)
• Preschool (3-5yrs)
• Gradeschooler (5-12yrs)
   

Infant (0-12 months) exhibits a clear dominance in the market

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the consumer group have also been provided in the report. This includes infant (0-12 months), toddler (1-3yrs), preschool (3-5yrs), and gradeschooler (5-12yrs). According to the report, infant (0-12 months) accounted for the largest market share.

Infant (0-12 months) holds the biggest market share because of various factors, such as the ongoing requirement for clothes as babies rapidly grow out of their outfits, resulting in frequent buying by parents. Additionally, parents frequently choose comfort and functionality as their top priorities when choosing clothes for babies, often selecting soft and breathable fabrics, onesies, and clothes with easy-to-fasten closures. Chicco India launched an autumn-winter 23 kids wear collection in October 2023, which offers comfort and style for infants, toddlers, and young children, featuring a range of garments from jackets to dresses, designed for ages ranging from newborns to early childhood.

Breakup by Gender:

• Boys
• Girls
• Unisex
   

Girls dominate the market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the gender. This includes boys, and girls, unisex. According to the report, girls represented the largest segment.

Girls represent largest segment because of factors, such as the extensive selection of clothing choices like dresses, skirts, tops, and accessories. Additionally, girls often focus on fashion and style, leading to an increased demand for fashionable clothing. In addition, the influence of media and popular culture often highlights fashion for girls more prominently. Moreover, brands and retailers often target their products and marketing tactics towards meeting the diverse preferences and fashions of girls.

Breakup by Distribution Channel:

• Offline
• Online
   

Online is the predominant market segment

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel have also been provided in the report. This includes offline and online. According to the report, online accounted for the largest market share.

Online is the largest segment as per the children’s wear market statistics. The growing number of e-commerce platforms and increasing internet penetration and smartphone adoption, is improving the way parents shop for children's clothing. The size of the global e-commerce market was US$ 21.1 trillion in 2023. With a growth rate (CAGR) of 27.16% from 2024 to 2032, the IMARC Group projects that the market will reach US$ 183.8 trillion by 2032. Online channels offer convenience, a wide variety of options, and the ability to compare prices and read reviews, driving their popularity among busy parents. Moreover, major brands and retailers are prioritizing their online presence, investing in user-friendly websites, mobile apps, and digital marketing strategies to enhance user engagement and capture a larger share of the online market.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

Asia Pacific leads the market, accounting for the largest children’s wear market share

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, Asia Pacific represents the largest regional market for children’s wear.

Asia Pacific represents the largest segment according to the children's wear market overview. This is because of various factors like rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and the growing middle class with increasing purchasing power. According to the GlobalData, India's urbanization rate in 2021 was 1.34%. In the year 2021, India's pace of urbanization rose by 1.5% yearly. The indicator rose by 19.6% between 2010 and 2021. Moreover, shifting cultural attitudes towards fashion and a desire for premium and international brands are encouraging multinational brands and retailers to actively expand their presence in this lucrative market actively, leveraging localized strategies to capture market share.

Competitive Landscape:

• The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the major market players in the children’s wear industry include Adidas AG, Benetton Group Srl, Carter’s Inc., Cotton On Clothing Pty Ltd, DIESEL USA Inc., Dolce&Gabbana S.r.l., Esprit Global Image GmbH, Fruit of the Loom Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Levi Strauss & Co., Mothercare plc, NIKE Inc., The Children’s Place Inc., Gap Inc., and V.F. Corporation, etc.
  
  (Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)
   
• Major children's wear companies are concentrating on various tactics to uphold their competitive advantage. They are utilizing digital marketing and e-commerce platforms to improve their online visibility and connect with a larger group of tech-savvy parents. As per the children's wear market recent developments, leading companies are seeking strategic partnerships and acquisitions to enhance its market position and enter new markets or segments, ensuring continuous growth and relevance in the ever-changing market. For instance, in October 2023, Mackly partners with Viacom18 to launch a vibrant 'PAW Patrol' kids' wear collection, aiming to blend comfort and style while fostering children's creativity and confidence, offering a unisex range of garments inspired by the beloved animated series to make dressing an exciting adventure for kids in India.

Children’s Wear Market News:

• November 2023: Carter's Inc., a renowned baby and toddler clothing brand, announced the opening of a new storefront in Beckley, WV, in 2024, providing parents with affordable yet reliable clothing options for their children.
• October 2023: The Children’s Place Inc. debuted the Gymboree XO Mandy Moore collection, featuring 45 pieces inspired by Moore's parenting experiences and sense of style, aimed at providing high-quality, timeless clothing for kids. It is only offered by Gymboree, serving the needs of millennial parents and their expanding families.
• January 2023: NIKE Inc. introduced the Jordan Brand 23/7 shoe for kids, featuring a step-in design for easy entry and various colorways inspired by iconic Jordan moments.

Children’s Wear Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global children’s wear market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and children’s wear market recent opportunities in the global children’s wear market?
• What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global children’s wear market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive children’s wear market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the product category?
• Which is the most attractive product category in the children’s wear market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the consumer group?
• Which is the most attractive consumer group in the children’s wear market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the gender?
• Which is the most attractive gender in the children’s wear market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the distribution channel?
• Which is the most attractive distribution channel in the children’s wear market?
• What is the competitive structure of the market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global children’s wear market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the children’s wear market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global children’s wear market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the children’s wear industry and its attractiveness.
• The competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides insight into the current positions of key players in the market.