Clothing Retailers in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
Frankfurt, Germany
Last Updated: August 2024
WZ G47.71DERevenue
€37.3bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
€X.Xbn
Employees
340k
Businesses
21,526
Wages
€X.Xbn
Clothing Retailers in Germany industry analysis
In 2022, industry sales increased significantly, but have not yet reached the pre-crisis level of 2019. The massive price increases for energy, food and cotton led to higher sales prices for clothing, which favoured the sector-specific sales trend. The consumer climate, which deteriorated sharply in 2022 as a result of the energy crisis and concerns about inflation and recession, improved in 2023, primarily due to the slower rise in energy and consumer prices. Higher demand for clothing supported sales growth last year. However, sector companies benefited from these developments to varying degrees depending on their location and business concept. While some companies posted record sales, others were forced to close down due to the sharp rise in costs. Overall, industry turnover has fallen by an average of 2.2% per year over the last five years.Industry turnover is expected to rise by 0.3% to 37.3 billion euros in 2024. More than half of the companies in the sector expect turnover to remain stable or increase in the current year. The declining inflation rate in the first half of 2024 meant that fewer companies in the sector implemented price increases. However, the general reluctance of customers to spend is likely to improve only gradually. Between January and June 2024, consumers barely increased their fashion consumption compared to the previous year - despite falling inflation and rising real wages. At the same time, increasing bureaucracy and high costs for energy, rents and personnel are the biggest concerns for clothing retailers. In this environment, many retailers will focus primarily on increasing their returns. Improvements in merchandise management and markdown management are seen as the most important measures. The focus is also on expanding digital marketing concepts as well as staff training and motivation.The rapid growth of online retail will force many bricks-and-mortar retailers to close their shops in the future, or they will be bought out. In addition, the existing pressure on industry players is increasing further due to intense price competition from textile discounters. At the same time, environmental awareness and the need to slow down the fast fashion industry through mindful and resource-conserving consumption are increasing in society. The new value paradigm is making circular fashion and topics such as recycling, second-hand and environmentally friendly production more relevant. In this context, industry turnover is expected to increase by an average of 1.1% per year to 39.4 billion euros over the next five years until 2029.
Trends and Insights
- In recent years, online retail has increasingly taken market share from bricks-and-mortar clothing retailers. One of the main reasons for this was the pandemic-related shop closures and the digitalisation push taking place in society.
- Womenswear is the top-selling product segment in the industry. Women expect fashion retailers to adapt their products to the latest trends in the shortest possible time and value customised products.
- Clothing retailers prefer to locate in densely populated areas with a lot of footfall. This is why the centre and south regions have the most businesses in the sector.
- The competition in the industry is fierce The industry players compete with local, regional, national and international fashion retailers as well as with online-only retailers.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €37.3bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The industry is facing a structural change that has been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic
- Even before 2020, there was a shift from bricks-and-mortar to online retail. The number of bricks-and-mortar clothing retailers has fallen continuously and almost all well-known retailers have now established an online presence.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Sustainability is becoming a key customer requirement in the retail sector
- Sustainability aspects are becoming increasingly important, especially in the textile and clothing industry, as the entire value chain includes many socially controversial companies. The more manufacturers, suppliers and intermediaries there are upstream, the more difficult it is to guarantee uniform quality standards.
Biggest companies in the Clothing Retailers in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB | 2,899.7 | |
C&A Mode GmbH & Co. KG | 1,884.3 | |
TJX Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG | 1,078.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 7 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Women's clothing, Menswear and Baby and children's clothing. Women's clothing is the largest segment of the Clothing Retailers in Germany.
Trends and Insights
In the top-selling product segment, womenswear, customised garments are in demand
- The clothing in this segment includes tops such as blouses, shirts, tops and jumpers, as well as bottoms such as jeans and skirts. There are also dresses, jackets, coats and underwear.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Second-Hand Clothing Retailers in Germany
- Textile Retailers in Germany
Complementors
- Clothing Manufacturing in Germany
- Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling in Germany
- Footwear & Leather Goods Retailers in Germany
International industries
- Men's Clothing Stores in the US
- Children's & Infants' Clothing Stores in the US
- Family Clothing Stores in the US
- Lingerie, Swimwear & Bridal Stores in the US
- Men's Clothing Stores in Canada
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry comprises the retail of various clothing articles, including mainly outerwear and lingerie, but also fur products and accessories such as belts, ties and scarves. Textiles, shoes and leather goods are not included in this definition. In addition, only companies specialising in clothing retail and retail that primarily takes place in stores are included in this sector.
What's included in this industry?
Women's clothingMenswearBaby and children's clothingAccessoriesCompanies
H&M Hennes & Mauritz ABC&A Mode GmbH & Co. KGTJX Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KGPurchase this report to view all 7 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
FAST FASHIONMULTICHANNELONLINE/INTERNET PURE PLAYERIndustry Code
WZ 47.71 - Clothing Retailers in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
In recent years, online retail has increasingly taken market share from bricks-and-mortar clothing retailers. One of the main reasons for this was the pandemic-related shop c...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Womenswear is the top-selling product segment in the industry. Women expect fashion retailers to adapt their products to the latest trends in the shortest possible time and v...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Clothing retailers prefer to locate in densely populated areas with a lot of footfall. This is why the centre and south regions have the most businesses in the sector.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The competition in the industry is fierce The industry players compete with local, regional, national and international fashion retailers as well as with online-only retailers...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
At H&M, inflation is likely to lead to a change in target groups. H&M traditionally appeals to customers with low incomes, but who have less money available for clothing as a...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of C&A Mode GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of TJX Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 4 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for C&A Mode GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for TJX Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 4 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Under the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, major industry players with at least 3,000 employees are obliged to check whether their suppliers are complying with human rights and...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Personnel costs have risen in recent years. Staff costs are high due to the industry's focus on consulting and sales. With falling turnover, it is often difficult to make sav...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Clothing Retailers industry in Germany in 2024?
The market size of the Clothing Retailers industry in Germany is €37.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Clothing Retailers in Germany industry in 2024?
There are 21,526 businesses in the Clothing Retailers industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Clothing Retailers industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Clothing Retailers industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 2.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Clothing Retailers industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Clothing Retailers industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Clothing Retailers market in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Clothing Retailers market in Germany are H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB, C&A Mode GmbH & Co. KG and TJX Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG
What does the Clothing Retailers in Germany include?
Women's clothing and Menswear are part of the Clothing Retailers industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Clothing Retailers in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in Germany is H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB.
How competitive is the Clothing Retailers industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Clothing Retailers industry in Germany.
