Tou Bao Yan Jiu Yuan·2025-10-13 13:50Investment Rating - The report provides a positive investment rating for the apparel industry, highlighting growth potential driven by government support, competitive pricing, and market expansion opportunities [4]. Core Insights - The apparel industry is undergoing a transformation characterized by the integration of technology and fashion, with e-commerce and live-streaming commerce significantly boosting market growth [4]. - China's apparel exports are expected to grow due to favorable government policies, price advantages, and competitive quality in the global market [4]. Industry Definition - The apparel industry encompasses clothing, footwear, and accessories, serving functions such as protection, decoration, and identification [5]. - Apparel can be categorized by gender into men's and women's clothing, each with distinct design and functional characteristics [6]. Industry Characteristics - High raw material costs dominate the cost structure, with raw materials accounting for 76.1% of costs in upstream suppliers and 60% in midstream manufacturing [6][7]. - The export market is diversified, with growth in traditional markets like the US and EU, while emerging markets show mixed results [7]. - The industry exhibits strong cyclicality, with retail sales closely tied to economic growth rates [8]. Development History - The apparel industry in China has evolved through four key stages: industrialization, OEM rise, globalization, and brand and technology upgrades, currently transitioning into a phase driven by national pride and technological innovation [9]. Industry Chain Analysis - The apparel industry chain includes upstream raw material production, midstream manufacturing, and downstream brand sales, with varying levels of bargaining power across segments [14][15]. - Midstream manufacturers face challenges in negotiating with upstream suppliers due to industry fragmentation, leading to lower average profit margins [15]. - Labor cost increases are prompting a shift of the apparel supply chain to Southeast Asian countries [16]. Market Size and Growth - The apparel market size grew from 1,918.03 billion RMB in 2019 to 2,074.29 billion RMB in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 2.15% from 2024 to 2028 [36]. - E-commerce penetration and live-streaming commerce are key drivers of market growth, with significant increases in online shopping users [38][39]. Export Market Dynamics - China's apparel exports are benefiting from a recovery in overseas demand due to loose monetary policies and economic recovery in major markets [40]. - The export market is characterized by structural differentiation, with varying performance across different regions and product categories [40]. Policy Support - Government policies aimed at upgrading the industry and promoting digitalization and innovation are expected to drive future growth in the apparel sector [41][42]. - The competitive pricing of Chinese apparel products is anticipated to enhance export growth, particularly in the context of rising demand for affordable quality products in international markets [42].