Hosiery Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Hosiery Market is projected to expand from USD 46.67 Billion in 2025 to USD 61.68 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 4.76%. Hosiery defines knitted apparel worn on the legs and feet, including socks, stockings, tights, and pantyhose intended for protection, fashion, or therapeutic purposes. Growth is largely propelled by the renewed need for formal wear as corporate office operations resume globally, alongside rising demographic requirements for compression garments to manage circulatory health. Additionally, the development of organized retail networks and online commerce platforms acts as a critical enabler, guaranteeing widespread product availability and efficient distribution across international markets.

Conversely, market growth faces a substantial obstacle in the form of ongoing global economic instability, which dampens consumer discretionary expenditure and leads to excess inventory. This difficult commercial landscape is confirmed by industry feedback concerning order levels. Data from the International Textile Manufacturers Federation indicates that in 2024, 65% of global textile and garment manufacturers surveyed cited poor demand as the main issue impacting their businesses. This insufficiency in consumption compels hosiery producers to lower production output, consequently limiting revenue expansion and postponing capital investments.

Market Drivers

The swift growth of the worldwide athleisure and sportswear industry is a major driver for the hosiery market, generating consistent demand for performance-focused items. Shoppers increasingly regard socks and legwear as essential technical equipment for athletic activities and recovery rather than just basic necessities. This changing perspective forces producers to adopt sophisticated moisture-wicking materials and zonal compression innovations for high-intensity sports, thereby raising the unit price of these products. As reported by Lululemon Athletica Inc. in their March 2024 Fiscal 2023 Year-End Earnings Release, net revenue rose by 19% to reach $9.6 billion, a trend that emphasizes strong consumer spending on activewear and performance accessories, which directly stimulates the manufacturing of specialized sports hosiery.

At the same time, the increasing incidence of venous diseases and diabetic foot issues has created a crucial, stable demand for therapeutic hosiery. With lifestyle-associated health problems rising globally, there is a mounting medical requirement for graduated compression stockings and specific diabetic socks to enhance circulation and prevent ulcers. A global analysis published by The Lancet in November 2024 reveals that the global adult population with diabetes has exceeded 800 million, highlighting a vast market for preventative medical legwear. This functional need provides stability against market fluctuations. Demonstrating this consumption resilience, the National Bureau of Statistics of China reported in June 2024 that retail sales of consumer goods increased by 4.1% year-on-year in the first five months of 2024, indicating a rebound in purchasing that benefits the broader apparel and hosiery industries.

Market Challenges

Ongoing instability in global economic conditions represents a major hurdle to the expansion of the hosiery sector. Elevated inflation and economic unpredictability have weakened consumer buying power, causing a distinct drop in discretionary expenditure on non-vital clothing such as high-end socks, stockings, and pantyhose. With shoppers favoring essential items, the turnover rate for retail inventory decelerates considerably, causing supply chain bottlenecks. This slowdown forces retailers to delay or annul new orders to handle current stock levels, which directly affects the manufacturing timelines and revenue flow of hosiery producers.

Recent trade data quantitatively demonstrates the severity of this market contraction caused by suppressed demand. The Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) reported that during the first quarter of 2024, total U.S. apparel imports fell by 7.14% relative to the same timeframe the prior year. This decrease in import volume suggests that retailers are reluctant to acquire new inventory given the precarious economic atmosphere. Consequently, hosiery manufacturers are compelled to reduce production capabilities and delay capital spending, hindering overall market revenue growth and perpetuating a cycle of financial stagnation within the sector.

Market Trends

The shift toward bio-based and biodegradable yarn technologies is reshaping the material makeup of legwear as producers aim to reduce the environmental footprint associated with synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels. This movement entails incorporating cellulose fibers and biopolymers that provide compostability while maintaining the elasticity essential for hosiery, thereby meeting consumer calls for circular fashion items. Leading fiber manufacturers are maintaining substantial operations to facilitate this change; for instance, Lenzing AG's March 2024 'Annual and Sustainability Report 2023' revealed revenue of EUR 2.52 billion, highlighting the significant industrial capacity and market strength of the wood-based, biodegradable specialty fibers used in the textile industry.

Concurrently, the comeback of retro and bold patterned statement items is evolving hosiery from a mere functional need into a central element of maximalist fashion. This trend leverages nostalgia, as buyers increasingly prefer textured, embellished, and colorful socks and tights that act as standout accessories in vintage-style outfits. Social media activity provides quantitative proof of this behavior; the January 2024 'Pinterest Predicts 2024' report noted a 190% year-on-year increase in search volume for "bow outfits" - a key element of this retro aesthetic. This surge indicates a strong opportunity for brands to broaden their offerings with decorative and statement-focused legwear lines.

Key Players Profiled in the Hosiery Market

• Spanx, LLC
• Adidas AG
• 2XU Pty Ltd.
• LVMH Group
• Renfro Corporation
• CSP International Fashion Group S.p.A.
• Golden Lady Company SpA
• Gildan Activewear Inc.
• Hanesbrands Inc.
• Carolina Hosiery, Inc.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Hosiery Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Hosiery Market, by Type:

• Socks
• Stockings
• Tights
• Leggings

Hosiery Market, by Category:

• Men
• Women

Hosiery Market, by Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Offline

Hosiery Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Hosiery Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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