Kidswear UK

General Facts & Figures:

{mosimage}+ The baby and childrenswear market in the UK increased in 2003 by 2.9%, to achieve a value of £6.3billion.

+ The market is forecast to grow by almost 20% from now to 2008.

+ Girls’ clothing takes up the largest sector with a 44.7% share of value sales – reaching £2.8 billion in 2003.

+ Predictions show that girls’ clothing will remain the largest sector of the market, accounting for 45.1% of retail sales in 2008.

+ Marks & Spencer remains the largest individual manufacturer with a 14% share in 2003.

+ Mothercare is the leading advertiser in the childrenswear market with a budget in 2003 of almost £2 million.{mosimage}

 

State of the market

Market intelligence analysts – Verdict Research have revealed that the UK is currently going through a mini baby boom. Over half a million extra babies will be born over the next five years which will greatly affect the pre-school, infants wear market.

 

Movers and Shakers:

The childrenswear retail market who’s up and who’s down: {mosimage}

1 Next (The UK’s current market leader in the childrenswear camp with 10.7%.)

2 Asda (Follows with 9.2%, thanks to its successful George brand. Analysts are keeping a watchful eye on this one as they predict Asda will take on Next in the very near future.)

3 Tesco (Come in third with 6.2 %.) {mosimage}

4 Woolworths / Marks & Spencer plc (While M&S is synonymous with quality at an affordable price the sales figures have not been looking so great. The one time market share leader in childrenswear has slumped to fourth place alongside Woolworths. The latest figures show a drop in M&S women’s and childrenswear sectors by 3.9%. Over the last five years supermarket chains moving into non-food areas such as clothing have really begun to affect the likes of M&S. The troubled retailer now shares forth place with Woolworths, with a 5.5% market share. British analysts – Verdict Research say that it’s very doubtful that M&S will hit that top spot ever again.)

Other movers and shakers in the childrenswear retail sector include:

Mothercare (Mothercare has regained its specialist reputation with a new range of products.)

Gap {mosimage}

Diesel

Primark

Ted Baker

H&M

Adams

Bhs

Adams

TK Maxx {mosimage}

JJB

Peacocks

Tammy

New Look

Mackays

Coming soon…Boots is now busy developing its new mother and baby line.

 

Current Top 5 Kidswear Brands for ages 0-8 {mosimage}

1 Catimini

2 Mayoral

3 Sarah Louise

4 Berlingot

5 Petit Bateau

 

Current Top 5 Kidswear Brands for ages 9 -14

1 Diesel {mosimage}

2 Magilla

3 Pampolina

4 O’Neill

5 Ted Baker

 

Top 3 Designer Kidswear Brands {mosimage}

1 DKNY (Kids Orange DKNY Top,

right from www.teddywear.com )

2 Moschino

3 Oilily

 

Kidswear News…

Tradeshow CPD has announced that it will be launching a childrenswear division at its next show in February. CPD Kidz will cover baby to junior fashion and will be set in-between the men’s and womenswear sections. Along with exhibitors the show will also include trend information, fashion shows, window dressing and merchandising ideas, and sponsor partners with links to kiddy related goods. CPD organizers have reported a fantastic response and expect to exceed their initial target of 100 brands by January 2005.

Back in the UK visitor numbers rose by 12% for the biggest ever {mosimage}Premier Kids Spring/Summer 2005 show. Presenting over 300 brands organizers said that 45% of those that attended were first-time visitors. 

Designer label Chloe is thinking of adding a childrenswear line to its range. Currently pregnant chief designer Phoebe Philo is said to be mulling over ideas for the growing kidswear market. 

 

Kidswear Trends Spring/Summer 2005

Tees – From babies to tweens t-shirts feature vintage style graphics, tie-dye, slogans, sports figures, embroidery, appliqué and illustrated characters.

Dresses – Dropped waistline, tunics, empire line and sundresses.

Skirts – Multi-tiered, A-line, dirndl, yoke and gathered and pleated minis.

Jackets – Fitted cropped blazer styles, boleros, blouson and sporty tracksuit shapes. 

Trousers – It’s still practical cargo pants and jeans for the boys with plenty of cropped varieties, while for the girls there’s relaxed wide legged pants, jeans and cutesy shorts. 

Nautical – Designers take inspiration from the beach and the ocean with sailor pants, nautical themed dresses and stripy navy and white tops.

70s – Ponchos, plaids, tie-dye, swirls and florals, retro sportswear shapes and boho styling.

East/West – Embellished tunic and kaftan shapes layered over jeans and swimwear.

 

Colour:

– Ocean Shades – sky blue, turquoise, deep greens. {mosimage}

– The Neutrals – khaki, olive, sand, mustard and brown.

– A variety of pinks from pale powder to cerise.

– Delicate pastel shades – dusty peach, soft beige and eggshell.
 
– Strong tones arrive in – orange, red, turquoise and lime. 

 

Pattern & Embellishments:

– Every kind of stripe

– Retro florals

– Tie-dyes

– Paisleys

– Polka dots

– Indian embroidery

– Delicate Liberty florals

– Beading and sequins

– Pop art prints

– A combination of contrasting patterns – stripes with checks, dots with florals.

 

Fabrics: Cotton jersey, flannel, denim, seersucker, linen, silky acetates, chiffon look fabrics, wool, tweed.

 

Details:

– Sportswear shapes prettied up with detail and trim

– Drawstrings

– Rolled up sleeves and hemlines

– Wrap and tie details

– Raw edges

– Seam detailing

– Large buttons

– Patchwork effects with contrasting fabrics

– Bows and butterflies

– Lace trims and ribbons

– Corsages on jacket lapels, hats, t-shirts and dresses.

By JoJo Iles