Buy the full study
Summary of our market study
The French market for socks is around 200 million euros
The European market for socks is estimated at 1.3 billion euros.
Germany dominates European production with a 40% share, followed by France with 16%, with the top five countries producing 72% of the total.
French domestic consumption is around 800 million euros. France relies heavily on imports, mainly from Turkey, China and Italy, to meet demand, reflecting a high level of dependence and a trade deficit.
The number of French companies in the sector has fallen from 43 in 2012 to 31.
On average, the French buy between 5 and 9 new pairs a year, and own between 15 and 20 pairs of socks in total. In Italy, individuals buy more than 15 pairs a year.
Comfort is the main purchasing criterion, and consumers show no marked preference for a particular brand of socks.
Brand loyalty seems low.
The online segment of the market has seen particularly strong growth
Socks market players
- Dim
- Uniqlo
- Archiduchesse
- Bleu Forêt
- Royalties
- Kindy
to understand this market
Detailed content of our market study
Inforamtion
- Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update :
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Market definition and presentation
Long mainly dedicated to men, the sock market has evolved enormously over the last few decades, and now targets the entire French population. We are witnessing new fashion trends that have made the sock a real fashion accessory [ Huffington Post ]
Thus, the offer on the market continues to grow and evolve to meet the new expectations of consumers. For example, we are witnessing the development of Made In France, which is becoming increasingly popular, or the significant increase in demand for so-called "fancy" socks, with ever more original designs
Many types of socks exist today, in different shapes, colours and materials used in their production
However, as the new generations are an increasingly important player in the demand for ready-to-wear clothing, in recent years there has been a decline in the sale of socks in "physical" points of sale, i.e. supermarkets and hypermarkets, which tends to slow down sales of traditional brands, in favour of those of start-ups with innovative sales strategies
List of charts presented in this market study
- Value of knitted and crocheted footwear production
- Breakdown of sales of knitted and crocheted footwear
- Global Sock Market
- Valeur de la production d'articles chaussants à maille
- Commerce extérieur de la fabrication d'articles chaussants à maille
All our studies are available online in PDF format
Take a look at an example of our research on another market!
Latest news
Le Slip Français, the daring bet of made in France - 09/11/2023
- Le Slip Français was founded 12 years ago.
- Le Slip Français has sales of 20 million euros.
- On the French market, 3% of garments are made in France.
- Le Slip Français achieves 40% of its sales during the Christmas period.
- The company supports 300 jobs, 85 of them directly.
Dim brings back production of German Nur Die pantyhose | German production of Nur Die pantyhose back on track - 21/07/2023
- Dim Brands International (DBI) pantyhose knitting production is grouped together in Autun
- 20 to 30 million pairs of Dim tights are produced every year
- In addition, 19 million pairs of the Nur Die brand are produced
- DBI has 3,000 employees, including 1,000 in France.
- DBI has three plants located in Autun, Slovakia and Romania.
- Dim employs 600 staff and 100 temporary workers in Autun.
- Dim was launched in 1953 and was sold to Hanesbrand in 2014, then to Regent at the end of 2021.
- Group sales are €500 million, with the Dim brand accounting for 40% of sales.
- Dim has launched a new range of menstrual panties, which account for 30% of French sales in this emerging market.
Montlimart, eco-friendly clothing and footwear brand for men - 15/05/2023
- Montlimart sells eco-responsible men's clothing and footwear 80% made in France
- The brand sold 16,000 pieces in 2022.
- Montlimart achieved sales of one million euros in 2022.
- 90% of Montlimart's sales are made via its website.
- Montlimart has 7 employees.
Labonal dons Alsatian motifs from T'heim - 09/07/2022
- T'heim is a brand launched a year ago to promote local clothing with Alsatian motifs.
- Since June, T'heim designs have been featured on socks manufactured by Labonal in Dambach-la-Ville (Bas-Rhin).
- T'heim, managed by Jérôme Seeholtz, outsources its production and works with subcontractors.
- T'heim's T-shirts and sweatshirts are made in a social integration workshop in Strasbourg, and other partners are located in France.
- Labonal, a sock manufacturer, achieved sales of 7 million euros in 2021 and produces 1.5 million pairs of socks.
- Labonal employs 80 people.
Broussaud Textiles: rebirth made in France. - 21/05/2022
- Year Broussaud Textiles went into liquidation: 2006
- Workforce at time of liquidation: 70 employees
- Sock production in 2022: 1.4 million pairs
- Sales in 2022: 8 million euros
- Target growth in 2023: 25%
- Investment in robotization: 1.4 million euros
- Year Textis, an import company, became a shareholder: 2014
- Number of knitting machines: 80
- Share of French customers: 95%
- Market share of French sock manufacturers: 15 million pairs for a national market of 400 million
Hummel takes up the running challenge - 22/01/2020
- Hummel takes over the majority of Performance Group Scandinavia's activities
- Hummel acquires Danish brands Newline and Halo
- Hummel A/S posted sales of 107 million euros in 2018
- Hummel established subsidiaries in China, USA, India and key European countries
Companies quoted in this study
This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :
Choosing this study means :
Access to more than 35 hours of work
Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.
Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced
Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.
Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.
Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data
Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).
To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)
Guaranteed support after your purchase
A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676
A digital format designed for our users
Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.
Our offers :
the sock market | France
- What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
- What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
- What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
- Data from several dozen databases
Pack 5 études (-15%) France
- 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
- Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
- Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)
Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.
Our customer references
They have consulted our studies
Discover the opinions (+500)
Malcolm Vincent
Astoria Finance
Gregoire de Castelnau
Stags Participations
Timothé Huignard
PWC
Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
BCG
Aymeric Granet
Publicis Consultant
interviews & case studies
All interviews and case studies (45)
