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Apparel and Footwear in South Korea

Published Jan 21, 2026
Length 75 Pages
SKU # EP20808065

Description

Apparel and footwear in South Korea is characterised by a shift towards adaptability, with consumers increasingly valuing versatile pieces that blend style, comfort, and functionality. In 2025, retail volume sales grew by 1%, compared to 3% current value growth. The category is expected to continue growing over the next five years, driven by consumers' increasing demand for versatile and sustainable products. Brands that can offer versatility, responsiveness, and sustainability are best position...

Euromonitor International's Apparel and Footwear in South Korea report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2021-2025 and analysis by distribution format allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, leading brands, and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market. Forecasts to 2030 illustrate how the market is set to change.

Product coverage: Apparel, Footwear, Sportswear.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?
* Get a detailed picture of the Apparel and Footwear market;
* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
* Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.

Table of Contents

75 Pages
Apparel and Footwear in South Korea
Euromonitor International
January 2026
List Of Contents And Tables
APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR IN SOUTH KOREA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Versatility, comfort, and sustainability are key trends shaping South Korea's evolving apparel and footwear industry
KEY DATA FINDINGS
CHART 1 Key Trends 2025
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Versatile pieces drive sales as traditional norms erode
CHART 2 Performance Meets Fashion – The Rise of Recovery Shoes and Low-Profile Sneakers
Climate-responsive designs gain traction
CHART 3 Climate-Responsive Seasonless Apparel
Resale and rental trends reshape retail channel mix
CHART 4 Department Stores Leverage Circular Fashion with Resale Programmes
WHAT’S NEXT?
Versatility, sustainability, and agility to influence future development of apparel and footwear
Navigating seasonless style and shifting categories
CHART 5 Analyst Insight
Sustainability and technology to help shape the future of sales
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Uniqlo strengthens lead of highly fragmented competitive landscape
Emerging brands and collaborations drive innovation
CHANNELS
Offline channels lead distribution via specialists but online sales continue to grow
ECONOMIC CONTEXT
CHART 6 Real GDP Growth and Inflation 2020-2030
CHART 7 PEST Analysis in South Korea 2025
CONSUMER CONTEXT
CHART 8 Key Insights on Consumers in South Korea 2025
CHART 9 Consumer Landscape in South Korea 2025
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
Summary 1 Research Sources
WOMENSWEAR IN SOUTH KOREA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Resilience in 2025 driven by comfort, premiumisation, and online engagement
CHART 10 Key Trends 2025
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Women's underwear remains strong sales driver, driven by comfort and premiumisation
CHART 11 Comfort-Centric Innerwear
Fitness-driven trend boosts swimwear sales through social media
CHART 12 Swimwear Beyond Basics: Performance with Pattern and Style
Casualwear evolves to meet modern women's lifestyle needs
CHART 13 Evolving Casualwear for Women’s Daily Lives
WHAT’S NEXT?
Future growth driven by comfort, premiumisation, and personal expression
CHART 14 Analyst Insight
Navigating rapid trend cycles: The imperative for brand agility in Korean womenswear
Building brand loyalty through integrated online and experiential strategies
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Frl Korea maintains lead of fragmented landscape with comfort-driven products
CHANNELS
Vertical commerce platforms drive online sales by age group
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
MENSWEAR IN SOUTH KOREA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Leveraging comfort, casual trends, and e-commerce in South Korean menswear
CHART 15 Key Trends 2025
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Lightweight fabrics drive versatile outerwear designs
CHART 16 City-Ready Outdoor Outerwear: Lightweight, Functional, and Stylish
Emerging brands drive menswear's shift to casual and hybrid styles
CHART 17 From Workday to Weekend: POTTERY’s Versatile Setup Suits Capture Young Consumers
Understated style and global appeal: The growing impact of Japanese Brands on Korean menswear
CHART 18 From Japan to Seoul: BEAMS’ Debut Pop-Up Creates Buzz
WHAT’S NEXT?
Rising disposable income to fuel demand for quality menswear
Key trends shaping menswear's future
CHART 19 Analyst Insight
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Leading Japanese brands capitalise on casualwear trend
CHANNELS
Online retail platforms drive menswear sales among younger consumers
Department stores and apparel specialists remain key offline channels
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
CHILDRENSWEAR IN SOUTH KOREA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Rising incomes and influencer brands fuel childrenswear expansion in South Korea
CHART 20 Key Trends 2025
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Influencer-led brands drive premium sales through innovative retail
CHART 21 Shinsegae Gangnam Department Store’s “Influencer Market” Pop-up
New challenger brands reshaping childrenswear in South Korea
CHART 22 Launch of Covernat Kids, as Challenger Brands Look to Compete with Incumbents
The growing influence of the gifting trend on childrenswear
CHART 23 W Concept’s Childrenswear Category Grows Due to Gifting
WHAT’S NEXT?
How premium and junior styles are set to redefine childrenswear
Polarisation and circular consumption to reshape landscape
Aunty Power and its expanding role in South Korea
CHART 24 Analyst Insight
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Top brands consolidate share through strategic expansion, but new brands are emerging
CHANNELS
Offline retail remains dominant despite e-commerce growth
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
SPORTSWEAR IN SOUTH KOREA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Bridging fitness and fashion: How versatility and integrated retail are driving sportswear’s growth
CHART 25 Key Trends 2025
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
How lifestyle, social media, and premium brands propel Korean athleisure
CHART 26 Alo Yoga Opens First Asia Flagship Store in Seoul’s Dosan Park
Authentic technical performance elevates premium sportswear
CHART 27 Arc’teryx – From Alpine Gear to Urban Icon
Emerging trends and strategies present opportunities for growth
CHART 28 Hoka – Building Influence Through Micro-Communities
WHAT’S NEXT?
Versatility and athleisure to drive growth amidst evolving consumer lifestyles
CHART 29 Analyst Insight
Community-based fitness fuels demand and brand loyalty
Authenticity and technical performance to influence consumer preferences
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Nike and adidas maintain popularity through performance and lifestyle appeal
CHANNELS
Sports goods stores lead distribution, while e-commerce makes further gains
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
JEANS IN SOUTH KOREA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Pop culture and digital engagement propel jeans in South Korea to continued growth
CHART 30 Key Trends 2025
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Guess leverages K-pop to refresh brand image and target Generation Z
CHART 31 Guess Selected Popular K-Pop Group NMIXX as its New Ambassador for Asia
Agile product planning fuels growth in economy jeans
CHART 32 Musinsa Standard – Fast Fashion, Faster Denim Planning
Emerging brands drive innovation with experimental denim
CHART 33 Denim as a Sensitive, Transformative Fabric
WHAT’S NEXT?
Redefining denim: How consumer preferences and brand innovation will drive sales
CHART 34 Analyst Insight
Economy jeans to gain further traction with improved quality and affordability
Functional fabrics to reshape Korean denim for longer summers
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Frl Korea Co Ltd leads fragmented competitive landscape with Uniqlo
CHANNELS
Offline apparel specialists lead distribution but omnichannel strategy is important
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
HOSIERY IN SOUTH KOREA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Active lifestyles and fashionable functionality propel sales of hosiery
CHART 35 Key Trends 2025
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Hosiery sales driven by lifestyle changes
CHART 36 Legacy Brand Enters South Korea with a Strategy to Capture Younger Generations
Running trend drives innovation in functionality
CHART 37 Performance First: Functional Socks Designed for Running
Private label expansion drives interest in quality but affordable alternatives
CHART 38 Convenience Meets Fashion: 7-Eleven’s Private Label Fashion Strategy
WHAT’S NEXT?
Consumers to increasingly seek functional and fashionable hosiery
CHART 39 Analyst Insight
Non-sheer hosiery to remain dominant, sheer hosiery to decline
Online platforms to drive sales of everyday basics
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Fragmented landscape with private label growth and brand loyalty
CHANNELS
Online platforms drive sales of everyday hosiery basics
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
APPAREL ACCESSORIES IN SOUTH KOREA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Navigating 2025's dip with K-Pop, luxury, and strategic growth
CHART 40 Key Trends 2025
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Rising polarisation between mass consumers and those seeking niche designs
CHART 41 Gentle Monster Launches New Headwear Brand, Atiissu, in 2025
International tourists drive demand for essential local brands
CHART 42 Matin Kim Offers Seoul Exclusive Selection Only via its Offline Flagships
K-pop is rising influence on styling trends
CHART 43 Bandanas and Scarves as Expressive Styling Items
WHAT’S NEXT?
Fashion and pop culture to drive demand for hats/caps
CHART 44 Analyst Insight
Easing of formal dress codes to place further pressure on ties and belts
Modern retail innovations to fuel growth in luxury accessories
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Luxury brands maintain lead in local apparel accessories
CHANNELS
Offline retail remains dominant despite e-commerce growth
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
FOOTWEAR IN SOUTH KOREA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
How e-commerce and comfort-driven choices are realigning footwear
CHART 45 Key Trends 2025
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Weather-responsive design drives adaptive footwear solutions
CHART 46 Rockfish Weatherwear Goes Public in April 2025
Travel and tourism inspires versatile footwear designs
CHART 47 Cueren Launches 2025 Summer Campaign Using Slogan “Everyday Voyage”
Le Mouton drives growth with online-first and D2C strategy
CHART 48 Le Mouton Drives Growth with Online-First and D2C Strategy
WHAT’S NEXT?
Local consumers to prioritise comfort and versatility
CHART 49 Analyst Insight
Navigating economic headwinds: How value-for-money can redefines footwear purchases
Online channels and D2C strategies to remain key drivers
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Leading sportswear brands maintain strength through multifunctional designs and activities
CHANNELS
E-commerce leads footwear sales with convenience and flexibility
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER

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