Apparel and footwear market in Thailand - statistics & facts

Thailand’s textile production and the apparel market

Many international brands outsource the production of their apparel and footwear products to Thailand due to the low cost of labor compared to the global average. Thailand has an ample supply of materials consisting of both synthetic fibers and natural fibers. Cotton and silk are the two most well-known fabrics produced in Thailand, with cotton being one of its major exports. Thailand’s leading textile trading partners are the neighboring ASEAN countries, the United States, China, and Japan. As of January 2022, men and boys' clothing were the main apparel products exported from Thailand. In recent years, the country has become less competitive as a garment production hub compared to Vietnam, China, or Bangladesh. However, garment production in Thailand is transitioning towards quality and sustainability. This shift in production and outsourcing trends have partially resulted in higher sales value of apparel and footwear items while also resulting in an overall decline of production quantity.

Consumer behavior for clothing and footwear during the COVID-19 pandemic

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, consumers in Thailand are becoming more aware of their health through physical activity. This has resulted in greater demand for fashionable sportswear and outdoor apparel, especially for jogging shoes. Purchasing behavior during the pandemic has also shifted to e-commerce platforms since consumers are more likely to shop online during the pandemic instead of visiting physical stores. As of the fourth quarter of 2021, some of the most popular e-commerce sites for fashion in Thailand were Pomelo and Carnival. Social media is also significantly affecting online consumer purchase behavior in Thailand. As the majority of Thai internet users are active on social media, fashion brands are benefiting from this by using their social media platforms to gain more buyers and also collaborate with influencers to endorse their brands on their social media platforms.

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