The workwear market - United Kingdom

The global workwear market, valued at $29.1 billion in 2020, is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.3% up to 2027, as reported by StrategyR. Apparel, accounting for 75% of the market's total value in 2020, is complemented by a faster-growing footwear segment with a 5.5% CAGR. The United States held a 30% share of the global market in 2020, with Japan and China predicted to experience CAGRs of 4.2% and 4.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, the UK workwear market evidences more modest growth, with workwear imports growing at a CAGR of 3.6%. The UK market, influenced by occupational safety regulations, exhibits a strong local market with fragmented players, including demand determinants such as a growing labor force, private sector activity in industries like construction and healthcare, and evolving safety standards. Notably, men's workwear dominates the UK market, comprising 81% of workwear imports, and despite a decline in market share, women's workwear saw a significant rise in average import price.

Dynamics and Trends in the UK Workwear Market In recent years

The UK workwear market has shown a complex landscape of growing demand, influenced by multiple factors. The UK, as one of the largest workwear consumers in Europe, highlights a demand driven by a substantial labor force. The active population has seen a significant upswing, standing between 25 and 35 million in recent years, with the employment rate of women reaching record highs, indicating an expansive market base for workwear providers. The private sectors, particularly the industrial and hospitality industries, play a pivotal role in workwear demand, with construction and manufacturing alone accounting for about 20% of the UK workwear market. However, the public sector's influence cannot be overlooked, as fluctuations in the workforce numbers, such as the declining number of police officers and firefighters, also impact demand. Regulatory standards have been and continue to be a prime determinant of workwear demand. With safety at the workplace becoming a paramount concern, the regulations that dictate the required personal protective equipment are inevitably widening the customer base and product offerings.

Despite these influences on demand, the market primarily caters to male workers, with men's workwear imports constituting around 80% of the total, compared to roughly 20% for women. Interestingly, this trend has been rising notably, simultaneously witnessing the average import price for women's workwear climbing upwards due to increased specialization and quality. Economic cycles play a fundamental role in shaping demand, with national economic growth correlating to rising employment levels, thereby increasing the need for workwear. Regional economies similarly affect local demand, with factors such as coastal tourism and urbanization projects driving the need for specialized work clothing. The British production of workwear is a mix of homegrown and globally sourced materials, with cotton, polyester, and other fibers crafted into garments through a meticulous production chain.

Although the UK's total manufacturer sales of workwear items reached figures between 100 and 150 million GBP, it's a market that's still catching up to its past stature from the late 2000s. Examining the market trends, innovation and comfort stand out, with a push towards lighter, yet protective garments driving advancements in textile technology and design, as producers strive to combine ease of wear with safety. Multi-functional clothing and recycled materials similarly reflect the market's response to the need for versatile, environmentally-responsible products. In conclusion, the UK's workwear market reflects a nuanced balance of growth and traditionalism, with a strong leaning towards male.

Key Market Leaders and Innovators in the UK Workwear Industry The UK workwear market is a dynamic landscape featuring a blend of well-established national giants, international behemoths, and cutting-edge innovators that are driving growth and setting trends in the industry.

National Players Making Their Mark

• At the forefront of the UK's national workwear scene is Johnson Apparelmaster, a heavyweight in workwear solutions known for providing a comprehensive range of garments tailored to meet industry-specific needs.
• JSP Safety Products stands out notably, as a trusted manufacturer of safety equipment,
• WearWell Limited has carved out a reputation for high-quality, durable workwear. NDC Workwear further amplifies the local market with its specialized manufacturing prowess.

Global Giants Leading the Charge

• The international segment is dominated by Aramark, a U.S. giant offering extensive services that go beyond workwear to encompass food, facilities, and uniforms.
• VF Corporation, another titan from the States, boasts a wide portfolio of brands and is recognized for its innovation in designing apparel including workwear.
• MSA Safety, known primarily for its safety products, is an active global player in providing protective industrial gear.
• Fristads Kansas Group from Norway merges traditional workwear with contemporary designs for a wide range of industries.
• Irish-based company Portwest emerges as a key player with its range of protective clothing and workwear serving various markets.
• France's Mapa is not left behind, known for its robust protective gloves and clothing. Honeywell, a household name in various sectors, also contributes significantly with its safety and productivity solutions, including workwear.
• Specialists Streamlining Distribution
• The UK is also home to distribution specialists such as Rentokil Initial, which specializes in the direct sale of workwear and associated services like rental and maintenance.
• Main Man Supplies is another significant name in distribution, tailoring its services to provide companies with a wide array of workwear options.

Innovation at the Forefront

• When it comes to innovation, StyffiffTech and Wearable Link are the emerging names worthy of note. These companies are at the cutting edge, integrating smart technologies into workwear, which is a telling sign of the industry's direction towards embracing digitalization and tech-augmented apparel.

Manufacturing Spread Across the Nation

• The geographic distribution of workwear production in the UK is concentrated primarily in England, but the entire United Kingdom contributes through various regional hubs. With significant turnovers reported across Southern regions and the North-West, these areas are pivotal to the industry's economic output and employment.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 01/06/2021

Summary and extracts

List of charts presented in this market study

• [Copy] Size of the global workwear market
• [Copy] Breakdown of workwear market by segment
• TCAM attendus pour le marché du vêtement de travail par pays
• [Copy] Workwear imports by region origin
• [Copy] Breakdown of EU's workwear exports by country
• [Copy] Average yearly growth of workwear imports
• [Copy] Total turnover of businesses in the manufacture of workwear
• [Copy] British working population
• [Copy] Evolution of the breakdown of workwear imports by end user gender
• Évolution du prix unitaire moyen à l'importation des vêtements de travail par sexe de l'utilisateur final
• [Copy] Total manufacturer sales of workwear items
• [Copy] Distribution of workwear sales by category
• [Copy] Geographic distribution of companies operating in the manufacture of workwear