Swimwear market expected to decelerate by 2014

Global -- Global crisis having its pangs in all industries has not left the swimwear sector alone. Analysts predict that the swimwear sector is likely to slow down in growth between 2008 and 2014 from 5.32% to 1.69%.

This will lead to a considerable decline in the large number of swimwear brands that are in the market today. This slothful growth forecast is blamed on the current recession, long-term population stagnation, and the shift in branded manufacturing to lower-cost countries.

Following the Beijing Olympics last year, the next major event for swimwear will be the London Olympics in 2012. Unit sales for 2012 will be 1,099m pieces, a growth of 41m units from 2008.

It is estimated that the average world retail price for swimwear and beachwear in 2012 will be US$12.29. The London Olympics is expected to create a swimwear market 'splash' in 2012, as an antidote to the gloom and doom forecast for 2009-2010.

While the swimwear market in total continues to face a world of no overall price inflation, the clothing industry is facing unprecedented high fuel costs and transport charges; volatile exchange rates; and labor shortages in low-cost economies such as China and India.