Online Apparel Footwear and Accessories Market in the US 2016-2020

This market research report identifies players like Amazon, Gap, J. C. Penny, Macy’s, Sears, and Walmart to be the key vendors in the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US. This research report also presents a detailed segmentation of the market by devices used for shopping (PCs, smartphones, and tablets) and by product category (apparel, footwear, and accessories).

Overview of the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US

Technavio’s market research analyst predicts the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US to grow at a CAGR of more than 16% by 2020. Free shipping and hassle-free return policies are significantly contributing to the growth of online sales in the US.  Approximately 90% of the online retailers are offering free shipping and hassle-free return policies to attract customers. Few retailers like J.C. Penny and Target provide free shipping on all orders during the holiday seasons. Walmart has reduced its minimum purchase requirement for free shipping, which has made more than 90% of the items sold by Walmart's online store eligible for free shipping. Favorable policies regarding convenient returns and exchange are very crucial to attract and retain customers to the online portals as about 67% of consumers look at return policies before making a purchase. Factors such as the availability of easy and secure online payment options, facilities to track shipments, 24/7 customer support, and low costs have led to higher demand for online shopping in the US.

The market is witnessing the rising popularity of digital payment devices. The digital payment services allow consumers to make payments at the point of sale through a mobile device. Such transactions can be completed in a few steps by using a mobile device. Established players like Amazon, Google, MasterCard, PayPal, and Square are making huge investments in the digital payment technologies. Vendors are using digital payment applications to improve the consumer experience, which will help the growth of the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US.

Competitive landscape and key vendors

The market is marked by the presence of both national and international vendors. The online retailers have several cost benefits over physical store retailers. However, the imposition of tax laws in the US on the online channel could limit the dominance that the online retailers have over brick-and-mortar retailers. Well-established vendors with considerable consumer bases operate in the market. Most of these vendors offer a wide range of products and brands and invest significantly in marketing and promotional activities.

Leading vendors in the market are -

• Amazon
• Gap
• J. C. Penny
• Macy’s
• Sears
• Walmart

Other prominent vendors in the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US include Academy Sports + Outdoors, Amway Global, ATG Stores.com, Backcountry.com, Best Buy, Blue Nile, Cabela's, Costco, CustomInk, Daniel Smith, Dell, Eastern Mountain Sports, e-Bay, Factory Green, Groupon, Ideel, Kroger, and Target.

Segmentation by devices used for shopping and analysis of online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US

• PCs
• Smartphones
• Tablets

At present, the PCs segment contributes the highest share of revenue coming from online retail sales for apparel, footwear, and accessories. The larger number of users for PCs, especially laptops, and better visibility and visual appearance are the major factors for the highest revenue contribution from the PCs segment. However, the increasing penetration of smartphones and tablets, particularly on account of their portable and convenient nature has made them the most-used device for shopping online among consumers in the US.

Segmentation by product category and analysis of online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US

• Apparel
• Footwear
• Accessories

The apparel is the largest segment in the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US and accounted for around 73% of the total market share in 2015. Online retailers in the US promote their apparel lines through electronic and print media and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. The changing fashion trend toward fast-fashion is driving the increasing online sales of disposable apparel among the US consumers. In 2015, fast-fashion retailers such as Gap, H&M, Forever 21, and American Eagle Outfitters have witnessed double-digit growth in their online sales.

Key questions answered in the report include

• What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2020?
• What are the key factors driving the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US?
• What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US?
• What are the challenges to market growth?
• Who are the key vendors in the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US?
• What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US?
• Trending factors influencing the market shares of the US.
• What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the online apparel, footwear, and accessories market in the US?

Technavio also offers customization on reports based on specific client requirement.

Related reports:

• Online Retail Market in the US 2016-2020
• Online Fashion Retail Market in the US 2016-2020
• Global Online Lingerie Market 2016-2020