The workwear market - Brazil

1.1 Definition and scope of study

Work clothing is defined as clothing intended to be worn in the course of a professional activity, often to protect the worker from one or more risks that threaten his/her safety.

There are 4 main categories of work clothing:

• Technical clothing
• Image clothing
• Uniforms
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

However, the distinction between these categories is gradually disappearing, as many PPE or technical clothing become increasingly customized and include the notion of image. The workwear market is deeply linked to the dynamism of the industrial sector, construction, certain market services (hotel/restaurant, transportation), health care and public services. Its main functions include worker protection, brand or service communication, or employee identification.

Brazil currently ranks fourth among the world's largest producers of clothing items. The Brazilian textile industry produces approximately 1.8 million tons of garments per year, with about 1.5 million employees working directly in this segment.

According to ABIT (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association), the professional clothing market in Brazil is formed by 1,200 businesses, which manufacture exclusively professional clothing. The main clients of the uniform manufacturers are condominiums, banks, security companies, industries and service companies in all areas. In addition, other client companies are in segments where uniforming is a must, such as the food industry, hospital, airlines and telecommunication companies.

In addition to the usual organic growth, as new employees are hired in other areas every year, the need for increasingly technological equipment (including clothing) that provides greater protection to employees is seen as a higher priority. Therefore, players already established in the textile market have the chance to diversify in this direction, seeking a market segment that is still little explored.