Value of women’s and girls’ wear manufacturing in Australia calculated

A new report from market intelligence firm IBISWorld has found the sector representing manufacture of women’s and girl’s wear in Australia is worth $556 million and made up of 502 businesses.

In a summary of the results, IBISWorld said the sector had declined at a compound annual growth rate of 2.7 per cent over the last five years.

Declining demand from traditional department stores and a rise in online shopping were contributors to declining revenues, as was an appreciation in the Australian dollar.

The local market is described as highly-fragmented, with the top two companies expected to account for less than 20 per cent of all revenues in 2024 – 2025. The top four companies represented 32 per cent of market revenue 2024.

The two biggest businesses were mentioned as retail fashion company Cue, which according to its website is 100 per cent Australian-owned and predominantly Australian-made, and footwear and clothing maker RM Williams, which has been manufacturing in-country since 1932.

The sector employs 2,175 altogether and is predicted to pay out $92 million in wages in 2025 (down 5.5 per cent CAGR since 2020.)

Local manufacturers were clustered in New South Wales and Victoria, “because of their proximity to major markets, with Sydney and Melbourne being key hubs” reads the summary. 

“The region benefits from textile innovations, design expertise and a skilled workforce, sustaining industry growth.”

More highlights from the report can be read here.

Picture: credit IBISWorld/Facebook