Apparel imports from Europe, the US and Japan show weak recovery in April, China’s share continues to fall
Japanese apparel imports increase
Japan’s apparel imports were $1.8 billion in April, 6% higher than in April 2022, according to Wazir Advisors’ June 2023 report, “Apparel Trend Scenarios in Key Global Markets and India. Imports in January-April this year were 4% higher than the same period in 2022.
In Japan’s apparel imports, Vietnam’s market share grew by 2%, while China’s market share declined by 7% from 2021.China was Japan’s largest supplier of apparel from January through April 2023, still accounting for more than half of total imports at 51%. During this period, Vietnam supplied only 16%, while Bangladesh and Cambodia accounted for 6% and 5%, respectively.
U.S. apparel imports fall, retail sales rise
The US economy was in turmoil in April 2023, with many banks failing and the country’s debt in a state of crisis. As a result, apparel imports in April were $5.8 billion, down 28% from April 2022. Imports from January through April of this year were 21% lower than the same period in 2022.
Since 2021, China’s share of the U.S. apparel import market has declined by 5 percent, while India’s market share has risen by 2 percent. In addition, U.S. apparel imports performed slightly better in April than in March, with China accounting for 18% and Vietnam for 17%. The U.S. offshore sourcing strategy was evident, with other supplying countries accounting for 42%.Monthly sales at U.S. apparel stores were estimated at $18.5 billion in May 2023, which was 1% higher than in May 2022. In January-May of this year, retail apparel sales in the U.S. were 4% above 2022.U.S. furniture sales in May 2023 were down 9% from May 2022.U.S. online apparel and accessories sales in the first quarter of 2023 were up 2% from the first quarter of 2022 and down 32% from the fourth quarter of 2022.
EU and UK apparel imports up slightly in April
In April 2023, UK apparel imports were $1.4 billion, down 22% from April 2022. in January-April 2023, UK apparel imports were 16% lower than in the same period in 2022. since 2021, China’s share of UK apparel imports has declined by 5%, and China’s market share now stands at 17%. Like the U.S., the U.K. is expanding its purchases as other countries’ share reaches 47%.
EU apparel imports are less diversified than the US and the UK, with other countries accounting for 30% and China and Bangladesh at 24%, with China’s share down 6% and Bangladesh up 4%. Compared to April 2022, EU apparel imports in April 2023 fell by 16% to $6.3 billion. In January-April this year, EU apparel imports were up 3% year-on-year.
On the e-commerce front, online sales of apparel in the EU increased by 13% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.Monthly sales in UK apparel stores were £3.6 billion in April 2023, which is 9% higher than in April 2022. In January-April this year, UK clothing sales were 13% higher than in 2022.
