Women's Clothing Stores in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: September 2024
NAICS 44812Revenue
$81.2bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
412k
Businesses
109k
Wages
$X.Xbn
Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry analysis
The Women's Clothing Stores industry has seen a definitive shift in trends and market dynamics in recent years. Adjusting to rapidly changing customer preferences while contending with a burgeoning e-commerce sector — where convenience, diversity and competitive pricing prevail—have marked salient challenges. Brick-and-mortar stores, particularly, have faced the heat as consumers increasingly turn to online platforms for shopping. Despite fierce competition and shaky economic conditions, revenue has expanded at a CAGR of 5.1% over the past five years to reach an estimated $81.2 billion in 2024, when income is projected to swell by 0.9%.
Trends and Insights
- E-commerce growth is transforming the Women's Clothing Stores industry. Despite the boost of online shopping, brick-and-mortar stores must balance their digital presence with in-store experiences to offer personalized customer service and maintain competitiveness.
- Demand for tops remains consistent. This is because tops are often made from soft, wearable materials that require regular replacements, keeping demand constant even when discretionary spending on clothing goes down.
- Women’s clothing stores largely follow the population of the United States. This is similar to most retailing industries because consumers are the primary market.
- Women’s clothing stores compete on quality and price to attract customers. Online shopping has increased price-based competition, as consumers can easily compare prices between stores.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $81.2bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Women's fashion stores embrace sustainable, ethically produced clothing trend
- Faced with fierce competition in the ever-evolving fashion sector, women's clothing stores are increasingly focusing on a new trend: fulfilling the burgeoning consumer demand for ethically produced and sustainably sourced clothing.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Brands will struggle to retain customers in a saturated market
- New women's clothing stores will continue emerging over the next five years as brands seek to capitalize on new, lucrative sales channels and rapidly evolving fashion trends.
Biggest companies in the Women's Clothing Stores in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Urban Outfitters, Inc. | 2,338.6 | 162.7 | 7.0 | |
Chico's Fas, Inc. | 2,118.2 | 49.4 | 2.3 | |
New York & Company Inc. | 381.4 | 8.9 | 2.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 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 Other apparel and accessories , Outerwear and Dresses. Other apparel and accessories is the largest segment of the Women's Clothing Stores in the US.
Trends and Insights
Demand for tops remains steady
- This segment includes various upper-body garments like blouses, T-shirts, sweaters, cardigans and other similar tops. As tops are generally manufactured with soft material, they tend to wear out relatively quickly, necessitating frequent replacements. This characteristic sustains a steady demand in the market.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Family Clothing Stores in the US
- Lingerie, Swimwear & Bridal Stores in the US
- Department Stores in the US
- Used Goods Stores in the US
- E-Commerce & Online Auctions in the US
- Mail Order in the US
- Handbag, Luggage & Accessory Stores in the US
Complementors
- Women’s, Girls’ and Infants’ Apparel Manufacturing in the US
International industries
- Women's Clothing Stores in Canada
- Clothing Retailing in Australia
- Clothing Retailing in New Zealand
- Clothing Retailing in the UK
- Plus-Size Women's Clothing Stores in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Women's Clothing Stores industry encompasses establishments specializing in women's wear, including misses', juniors', plus-size and maternity clothing. Retailers within this industry engage in various sales and administrative activities, like customer service, advertising and cash handling. Some stores also provide basic alteration services on-site.
What's included in this industry?
Retailing women's outerwearRetailing women's dresses Retailing women's bottoms Retailing women's topsCompanies
Urban Outfitters, Inc.Chico's Fas, Inc.New York & Company Inc.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
MISSESRADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID)BRICK-AND-MORTARCOMPARABLE STORE SALESFAST FASHIONBABY BOOMERSGENERATION XGENERATION YLOOKBOOKE-TAILERIndustry Code
NAICS 44812 - Women's Clothing Stores in the US
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
E-commerce growth is transforming the Women's Clothing Stores industry. Despite the boost of online shopping, brick-and-mortar stores must balance their digital presence with...
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
Demand for tops remains consistent. This is because tops are often made from soft, wearable materials that require regular replacements, keeping demand constant even when dis...
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
Women’s clothing stores largely follow the population of the United States. This is similar to most retailing industries because consumers are the primary market.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, 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
Women’s clothing stores compete on quality and price to attract customers. Online shopping has increased price-based competition, as consumers can easily compare prices betwe...
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
There are no leading players in the fragmented women's clothing store industry. Recognizing trends, using technology and understanding consumer preferences are crucial for su...
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 Urban Outfitters, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Chico's Fas, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of New York & Company Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Urban Outfitters, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Chico's Fas, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for New York & Company Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Women’s clothing stores are required to adhere to a range of regulations. These include compliance with labor laws and safety guidelines and maintaining high product quality ...
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
Increased competition has squeezed profit. Brick-and-mortar women's clothing stores face pressure from department stores, thrift stores and online retailers, while elevated p...
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
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- 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 the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
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 Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry in United States is $81.2bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry in 2024?
There are 109k businesses in the Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 14.0 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 5.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Women's Clothing Stores in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Women's Clothing Stores market in United States are Urban Outfitters, Inc., Chico's Fas, Inc. and New York & Company Inc.
What does the Women's Clothing Stores in the US in United States include?
Retailing women's outerwear and Retailing women's dresses are part of the Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Women's Clothing Stores in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Urban Outfitters, Inc..
How competitive is the Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Women's Clothing Stores in the US industry in United States.
