Australia athletic apparel market: $1 billion industry by 2017

The Australia athletic apparel market is forecasts to reach a total value of around $0.9 billion by the end of 2017, growing at a CAGR growth rate of 6.8% between 2013 and 2017. The industry in Australia will be driven by a number of key factors, including a growing preference for athletic footwear among adults, and an increasing number of people involved in activities such as jogging and walking.

The athletic apparel market in Australia is small, competitive and well serviced by domestic companies. The sports apparel and footwear market in the country is characterized by intense competition which poses major threat to the leading companies. The competition in sportswear industry in the country is not confined to the presence of major international brands alone. Several regional and national competitors also provide inferior quality goods at low prices. The market in Australia, majorly represented by the operations of Rebel Sports, Amart All Sports, Lorna Jane and others is highly competitive. The domestic brands have captured the market share of international giants and strengthened its foothold on large scale in the country.

The Australian market for sports apparel and footwear has showcased tremendous performance over the last few years by growing at 8.6% over the period 2006-2012. This has been envisaged by the rising number of sports tournaments in the country along with strong growth in the spectatorship of the same. Rising health consciousness leading to an increased desire to participate in fitness activities has also aided the growth of the market over the last few years. Surging sports sponsorships by leading players is also leading to growth of the market in Australia. It is considered a way of promoting sporting apparels and footwear brands by way of enabling brand visibility through sporting events