Green Apparel Trend Growing
Two thousand seven was a banner year for the green apparel industry, according to a new report from Packaged Facts, International Market for Sustainable Appare.
Green apparel represents only $3 billion, a small portion of the
overall $450 billion global market, but is expected to grow
significantly in coming years.
Growth in this market will partly be contingent on responsible supply management for organic cotton and other fibers.
Organic cotton is the most established and widely used material in
the category and accounts for about two-thirds of sales. Wal-Mart/Sam's
Club is the world's largest purchaser of organic cotton fiber and is
therefore a significant player in the sustainable apparel market. Many
new sustainable fabrics are being introduced as designers experiment
with organic wool, organic linen, bamboo, some types of silk and
synthetics made from soy, corn, and recycled plastics.
"The organic apparel trend can clearly be seen at the consumer and
retail level in the growing number of designers, manufacturers, and
marketers making sustainable claims," notes Elaine Lipson, industry
expert and author of the report. "New sustainable apparel programs are
being introduced from major brands, such as Banana Republic and GUESS.
Also, JCPenney has instituted a program of several degrees of
sustainable labeling for a number of its private brand products,
including clothing."
For more information, visit http://www.packagedfacts.com/International-Sustainable-Apparel-1634668/.