Released on = April 16, 2007, 2:58 am

Press Release Author = Bharat Book Bureau

Industry = Marketing

Press Release Summary = Executive Summary

The total UK lingerie market, which includes corsetry, lingerie and hosiery, was
worth £2.48bn at retail selling prices (rsp) in 2006

Press Release Body = Lingerie - Market Report

Executive Summary

The total UK lingerie market, which includes corsetry, lingerie and hosiery, was
worth £2.48bn at retail selling prices (rsp) in 2006. This resulted from a growth of
13.3% since 2002 in current terms, for a market that, while dynamic, has been
subject to the deflationary pressure of fierce, discount-led competition in the
retail marketplace.

Both the lingerie and corsetry sectors performed strongly over the review period
(from 2002 to 2006) - with the latter now being the biggest sector, and also seeing
the highest rises in value. In a period when an increasing number of women are
taking at least a D-cup brassiere (bra) size, the importance of good-quality,
well-fitting bras has been growing considerably. The lingerie sector has also
performed well, fuelled by the rising level of interest in lingerie as fashion
items, not just as staple garments. The trend for innerwear that is intended to be
worn to be seen - such as camisoles and vests, for instance - has supported this
sector.

However, the hosiery sector experienced declines in value between 2002 and 2006.
Here the volume-led strategies of the supermarkets, which sell tights for as little
as £1.50 for five pairs, have had a significant impact on sales. In the hosiery
sector, as well as in the other sectors of the lingerie market, the brands have had
to respond to this highly competitive performance on the part of the own-label
segment. Largely, the brands have succeeded in doing so, and many manufacturers and
retailers of branded underwear reported strong sales rises in 2005/2006 through
dynamic product innovation and clear differentiation from own-label goods.

Despite this, the own-label segment is strengthening its hold. As well as a much
improved product range from the major retailer, Marks & Spencer (which accounts for
around 30% of sales of women\'s underwear), the high street generally has started to
take lingerie seriously as an area for development and competitive focus. The
discount retailers (Matalan, Primark and others), as well as high-street fashion
retailers (such as New Look and Next), have all increased pressure on the market for
good-quality but, nevertheless, low-priced lingerie garments.

The total corsetry, lingerie and hosiery market is forecast to grow to around £2.9bn
at rsp over the next 5 years (from 2007 to 2011). The global market is dominated by
cheap overseas production, and this will continue to have an impact on the stable
but slow-growing lingerie market in the UK.

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