| China's
US$2 billion women's undergarment export industry is
facing barriers at home and abroad that threaten to
limit the explosive growth suppliers anticipated
post-quota.
In 2004, total outbound shipments increased 20
percent from 3.5 billion to 4.2 billion pieces.
Exports to the United States and the European Union
increased in the first quarter of this year, but
were down 17 percent overall despite quota
elimination as a recent government-imposed tax
affected growth in low-value products.
Apart from this, the US has imposed a safeguard
on imports of China-made panties and those on bras
may be reimposed following a surge in shipments in
the months after quotas were eliminated at the
beginning of the year.
| The following
are some of the key trends we see in China's
women's undergarment industry: |
|
Even with the safeguards
and export tax, the majority of women's
undergarment makers will be significantly
increasing capacity to meet overseas demand
from countries other than the US. |
|
|
Although increasing
production costs will continue to be an
issue of concern for women's undergarment
makers in China, US safeguards and the
export tax will play a more vital role in
makers' pricing strategies. While about half
of the suppliers are keen on keeping export
prices stable in the next 12 months, those
affected most by the tax will definitely
raise quotes. |
|
|
Bras will gain a greater
share in exports as more makers reduce
output of panties. The export tax has hit
suppliers of low-end panties the most, and
these makers are focusing production on bras
instead, which are not levied. |
|
Many women's undergarment suppliers in China also
offer models for men, and some produce swimwear as
well. This report features suppliers that focus
mainly on women's undergarments, the production of
which generally accounts for more than 50 percent of
their total output. This report also profiles major
women's undergarment suppliers in China that
contract manufacture for established international
brands such as Wacoal, Victoria's Secret and La
Perla.
These suppliers export bras, panties, girdles,
slips and camisoles. Most are offered separately but
some are shipped in sets. All these products are
included in this report.
Almost all women's undergarment manufacturers
produce panties and bras, and there are some that
specialize in just one line. More than 60 percent of
suppliers featured in this report produce all three
kinds of women's undergarments for export, and more
than 50 percent have bras as their main product
line.
The Products & Prices section in this report
discusses the main features of each type of women's
undergarment and its price range. It also explains
the differences between low-end, midrange and
high-end models in each product category.
Product development and design focus are
discussed in the R&D/design section, while the
Materials & Components module details the main
fabrics used by China makers.
And more Women's Underwear
info... To see the full Executive Summary
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