South Africa Activewear Market

South Africa Activewear Market Overview:

The South Africa activewear market size reached USD 1,857.56 Million in 2024. The market is projected to reach USD 2,874.28 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97% during 2025-2033. Rising awareness about the advantages of an active lifestyle, especially in preventing chronic illnesses and enhancing mental well-being, is motivating people to engage in consistent physical activities like gym sessions, running, yoga, and outdoor sports. Besides this, the broadening of e-commerce portals is contributing to the expansion of the South Africa activewear market share.

South Africa Activewear Market Trends:

Growing emphasis on health and wellness

Presently, rising focus on health and wellness is playing a pivotal role in fueling the market growth in South Africa. As per the IMARC Group, the South Africa health and wellness market size reached USD 26.64 Billion in 2024. Increasing awareness about the benefits of an active lifestyle, particularly in preventing chronic diseases and improving mental health, is encouraging individuals to adopt regular physical activities, such as gym workouts, running, yoga, and outdoor sports. This growing participation in fitness-related activities is catalyzing the demand for high-quality, comfortable, and performance-oriented activewear. People are seeking apparel that offers flexibility, breathability, and durability, aligning with their active routines while also being stylish enough to wear casually. The wellness trend extends beyond physical health, as South Africans are also adopting holistic approaches that blend fitness with mental and emotional balance, further driving the demand for versatile activewear that supports multiple uses. Moreover, social media influencers and fitness trainers are promoting active lifestyles and trendy workout clothing, inspiring younger demographics to invest in activewear not just as functional attire but also as a fashion statement. With rising disposable incomes and urbanization, more individuals are able to allocate budgets to fitness apparel, solidifying the role of health and wellness in shaping the market.

Broadening of e-commerce portals

The expansion of e-commerce platforms is impelling the South Africa activewear market growth by providing people with greater access, variety, and convenience when purchasing fitness apparel. Online shopping platforms have created opportunities for both local and international brands to showcase their collections to a wide audience, breaking geographical barriers and reaching customers even in underserved regions. People benefit from being able to compare products, styles, and prices easily, while also accessing seasonal discounts and promotional offers, making activewear more affordable and appealing. E-commerce platforms also allow personalization of recommendations through artificial intelligence (AI)-oriented algorithms, helping customers choose apparel that fits their preferences in size, style, and activity. The convenience of doorstep delivery and hassle-free returns further enhances the buying experience, encouraging repeat purchases. Additionally, the rise of mobile shopping and secure digital transaction systems has made online purchases more reliable and user-friendly. As per industry reports, the worth of e-commerce transactions in South Africa is projected to increase by 150% to R225 Billion by 2025.

South Africa Activewear Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, material type, pricing, age group, distribution channel, and end user.

Product Type Insights:

• Top Activewear
• Bottom Activewear
• Innerwear
• Swimwear
• Outerwear

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes top activewear, bottom activewear, innerwear, swimwear, and outerwear.

Material Type Insights:

• Nylon
• Polyester
• Cotton
• Neoprene
• Polypropylene
• Spandex

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the material type. This includes nylon, polyester, cotton, neoprene, polypropylene, and spandex.

Pricing Insights:

• Economy
• Premium

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the pricing. This includes economy and premium.

Age Group Insights:

• 1–15 Years
• 16–30 Years
• 31–44 Years
• 45–64 Years
• More than 65 Years

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the age group. This includes 1–15 years, 16–30 years, 31–44 years, 45–64 years, and more than 65 years.

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Online Stores
• Offline Stores

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel. This includes online stores and offline stores.

End User Insights:

• Men
• Women
• Kids

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end user. This includes men, women, and kids.

Regional Insights:

• Gauteng
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Western Cape
• Mpumalanga
• Eastern Cape
• Others

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, and others.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

South Africa Activewear Market News:

• In January 2025, TFG and JD Sports opened their inaugural store in South Africa, marking significant retail growth. TFG anticipates earning R250 Million from its JD Sports outlets for the 2025 fiscal year. The move to extend JD Sports into the country fits nicely with the nation’s demographics, as a youthful, urban demographic is fueling the need for activewear and athleisure.
• In May 2024, Mr Price Sport, the prominent fitness brand, revealed a collaboration with Everlast to debut in South Africa. It would offer a unique selection of technical and casual clothing and gear to Mr Price Sport. The firms’ knowledge about sports clothing would assist people of all fitness levels in leading an active lifestyle.

South Africa Activewear Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the South Africa activewear market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the South Africa activewear market on the basis of product type?
• What is the breakup of the South Africa activewear market on the basis of material type?
• What is the breakup of the South Africa activewear market on the basis of pricing?
• What is the breakup of the South Africa activewear market on the basis of age group?
• What is the breakup of the South Africa activewear market on the basis of distribution channel?
• What is the breakup of the South Africa activewear market on the basis of end user?
• What is the breakup of the South Africa activewear market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the South Africa activewear market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the South Africa activewear market?
• What is the structure of the South Africa activewear market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the South Africa activewear 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 South Africa activewear market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the South Africa activewear market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist 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 South Africa activewear industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.