Cotton’s Share Of ApparelMarket Highest In 30 YearsAccording to consumer data furnished by NPD
Group, cottons share of the apparel market reached 59.7 percent in 1999, a half-point increase from
1998 and its highest level in more than 30 years.The data said cottons share of mens apparel
increased for the 21st consecutive year. By fiber weight, mens apparel accounted for 36.8 percent
of sales in 1999. Denim jeans, underwear, slacks, shorts, pajamas and socks registered share gains
and contributed to cottons 76-percent market share of mens apparel.Cottons share of womens apparel,
the largest segment of the apparel market, increased to 48.6 percent in 1999, a 0.4-percent gain
over last year. Total shirts and blouses, the largest apparel category, has a 9.4-percent increase
in total cotton sales and finished the year with a 65.5-percent cotton share.
June 2000
