Lingerie, Swimwear & Bridal Stores in the US Industry Market Research Report … – Virtual

The level of competition is intensifying, as online retailers and department stores take sales away from industry retailers. In light of the competitive environment, players will increasingly focus on niche products to boost demand. Nevertheless, a return to spending will support modest growth, as consumers begin to purchase industry products again, including wedding dresses and lingerie. For these reasons, industry research firm IBISWorld has updated its report on the Lingerie, Swimwear Bridal Stores industry.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 19, 2012

Lingerie, Swimwear and Bridal Stores industry revenue is expected to decline at an average annual rate of 1.8% over the five years to 2012. The industry has battled through some volatile ups and downs in demand. Until 2007, the combination of job growth, lower savings and easy access to credit allowed high discretionary spending, leading to strong sales of specialty apparel like lingerie, swimwear and bridal gowns. This trend quickly reversed in 2008, though. Low income due to the recession caused consumers to tighten their purse strings and cut purchases of nonessential goods, leading demand and revenue to fall substantially. Sales of wedding gowns declined as consumers delayed their marriage plans or opted for cheaper or secondhand goods. Encroaching competition within the retail market has also slowed industry growth, as department stores, discount retailers and internet retailers have increasingly grabbing market share by offering consumers convenience and low prices. In 2012, Revenue will increase 0.4% to $13.0 billion, thanks to improvements in economic conditions, according to IBISWorld industry analyst Nikoleta Panteva. Specialty apparel stores have also been adversely affected by rising production expenses over the five years to 2012. This trend has mainly occurred because of fluctuations in the price of cotton, which increased more than 65.0% in 2010 alone. This added cost, combined with competition and poor industry performance, has decreased profit within the industry. With profitability faltering, many underperforming operators have been forced to exit the industry or merge with other players. Over the five-year period, the number of companies has decreased.

Fortunately for players, continued economic recovery will likely aid growth in the five years to 2017. Equipped with deeper pockets, consumers are anticipated to increase their spending on high-end discretionary items, such as those sold by industry operators, leading to increased demand and sales. Nonetheless, the Lingerie, Swimwear and Bridal Stores industry will continue to face competition from department stores and other retail outlets that attract consumers with added convenience and discounted prices. Consequently, IBISWorld forecasts that revenue will increase at a modest rate over the five years to 2017, Panteva says.

The Lingerie, Swimwear and Bridal Stores industry exhibits a moderate level of market share concentration. IBISWorld estimates that in 2012, the four largest players in the industry will account for more than half of the industry’s total revenue, with the largest player (i.e. Victoria’s Secret) representing most of that. While the industry remains somewhat concentrated at the top, the remainder of the industry is characterized by a large number of small players. In fact, most establishments are non-employers or employ fewer than 10 workers. For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Lingerie, Swimwear Bridal Stores in the US industry report page.

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IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

Operators in this industry retail specialized lines of clothing, including bridal gowns, costumes, lingerie, uniforms and swimwear. These products are purchased from domestic and international manufacturers and wholesalers, and then retailed to the general public. Industry operators also often provide basic alterations such as hemming, taking in or letting out seams, or lengthening or shortening sleeves.

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Questing dominates in Alabama

Questing, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., set the pace and was never challenged in winning Saturday’s $600,000 Alabama Stakes for three-year-old fillies at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Questing broke sharply from the gate and quickly took the lead in the 1 1/4 mile race. Trying to keep up with the pacesetter were Zo Impressive, even-money favorite Grace Hall and In Lingerie with the remainder of the seven horse field trailing.

Questing, owned by Godolphin Racing, continued to lead the field around the final turn as Grace Hall dropped off the pace. Running in second was In Lingerie who separated herself from the rest of the field.

Heading into the stretch Questing opened up her lead and cruised to the wire nine lengths ahead of second-place finisher In Lingerie. Another eight lengths back in third was Via Villaggio followed by Zo Impressive, Grace Hall, Sea Island and Uptown Bertie.

Questing covered the distance in 2:01.29 on a fast track.

Questing was coming off a 4 1/4 length victory in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on July 21. The Alabama is the third straight win for the filly and was worth $360,000.

The daughter of Hard Spun has won four of nine lifetime starts for $674,876.

Following three starts in England to begin her two-year-old campaign, the filly finished fifth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies behind My Miss Aurelia and Grace Hall. She began 2012 with an allowance win on June 24 at Belmont Park. Ortiz has been aboard Questing in her last three starts.

Questing returned $6.40, $4.40 and $3.50. In Lingerie paid $5.60 and $4.00, and Via Villaggio paid $5.70.

Recent Eclipse Award winners Royal Delta (2011), Blind Luck (2010) and Proud Spell (2008) all won the Alabama.

Preceding the Alabama, Point of Entry, ridden by John Velazquez, took the lead heading into the stretch on his way to winning the $600,000 Sword Dancer Invitational. The four-year-old colt covered the 1 1/2 miles in 2:26.40 on a firm turf course.

Owned by Phipps Stable, Point of Entry won the Sword Dancer by four lengths and recorded his fourth straight win. The colt, who gave his trainer Shug McGaughey his first win in the race, adds $360,000 to his bank account which now totals $964,490. Point of Entry has won six of 13 career starts.

Point of Entry was reunited with Velazquez after the new Hall of Fame jockey was sidelined with an injury in June. Velazquez won the Sword Dance in 1998 with Cetewayo.

Point of Entry, the 7-5 favorite, paid $4.80, $2.90 and $2.30. Al Khali returned $5.70 and $3.90, and Brilliant Speed paid $3.70 to show.

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