Despite hard times, U.S. Consumers splurge on the Sexy Things

Tag : Sexy Lingerie
Economic pressures on consumers lately are not expected to impactthe fashionable intimate apparel industry. According to PackagedFacts U.S. Market for Intimate Apparel, the market is appealing toretailers because it has higher profit margins than regularapparel, drives store traffic and boosts customer loyalty. In 2007,Packaged Facts estimates the lingerie market rang up nearly $10billion in sales.

While the market grew modestly between 2002 and 2007, it seems thatwomens intimate apparel has found a hot spot. Sexy/fantasy/trashylingerie has seen significant growth in small, specialty lingeriecompanies that link their undergarments with accessories, noveltiesand adult toys. Escalation in sales of these foxy garments can beattributed to the Internet, which has helped small start-upcompanies flourish.

Full-figured lingerie is another key factor in the intimate apparelmarket. With the expansion in the womens plus-size clothing market(which generates $22 billion in annual sales) comes lingerie thatfits the full-figured woman. In 2007, intimate apparel salesaccounted for more than 10% of all plus-size apparel and thatnumber is expected to increase.
In the battle for tightly held consumer dollars, size is no longerenough, notes Cathy Minkler, Editor of Packaged Facts. Players inthe apparel industry will need innovation and original businessmodels to stay in fashion.