Advancements in the Sports Apparel Industry

Introduction

Sports apparel offers comfort not just for athletes but for all. Over the years, the narrative around sports apparel has evolved, bringing in serious innovation through sustainable technology. Online estimations project the sports apparel industry to reach 374404 million USD by 2027 globally. 

For that reason, and to become more competitive in this industry, here are the latest trends in the sports apparel industry and how its business owners are accepting the digital transformation at every touchpoint. 

What are the common advances in the sports apparel industry we see this year?

1. Fitness wearables for guided experiences

Solve the customer’s problems related to health and fitness by manufacturing wearables like bands, watches, glasses, etc. These products and accessories offer a guided experience for the user. 

These users can use wearables to monitor their health, vitals, and overall fitness regime in real time. Such items are easy to carry, can be tapped to check analytics, and are mobile-friendly. 

Most apps often lack actionable insights. However, there is an increasing demand for such wearables in the sportswear market. People are growing more conscious of health and fitness. They want to know their oxygen, blood sugar, insulin, and other relevant levels at all times. 

Companies can manufacture such wearables in multiple sizes, shapes, and designs. This will appeal to the end user who wears them and tracks their analytics daily. 

2. High-tech apparel

Advancements in high-tech apparel for contactless sports have provided golf players, bowlers, tennis players, and other athletes with innovative gear that enhances performance, improves comfort, and integrates advanced monitoring systems to track and optimize their physical metrics during play.

This emerging trend and wave of high-tech golf polo shirts and other apparel for men and women offers premium breathable materials, making the person feel relaxed and invincible in any situation. Additionally, scrunch football socks have gained popularity for their ability to stay in place and provide added comfort during intense matches.

Such clothes often protect from UV rays and are stretchable and breathable. These clothes are currently in vogue for their multiple designs, uses, and longevity in the closet. 

Business owners have a large profit margin for such apparel. They offer premium design and appeal with high-quality fabric that feels like the second skin. 

Customers can wear such apparel to play golf or for intense gym workout sessions. These articles do not feel sticky enough to cause body irritation or misalignment while moving around with heavy steps. 

3. Clothing care guides for self-serving experiences

Modern-day sports apparel companies are integrating QR codes with their clothing care guides. Such guides are helpful to people who are new to this industry and want to level up their game. 

Clothing guides will be easily traceable, viewable, and accessible literally from any location with QR codes. Such codes are unique for each guide. Companies can attach their branded logos within the clothing guides to mark the branding for better recall and retention. 

These codes provide live insights and analytics. Companies dive deeper into data to understand their highly viewable, sellable, or well-maintained product in the market. They can see where the product is getting scanned the most and which guide is the most helpful. 

From there on, organizations can strategize the pricing, appeal, and delivery chain of their sports apparel. 

4. High-powered collaborations between sports and fashion companies

High-profile partnerships started venturing between the sports and fashion industries. Athletes are more interested in endorsing limited edition products to increase sales and conversions. The factor of exclusivity sells faster and helps populate the brand recall and image. 

Celebrated athletes from tennis, football, cricket, and other sports have continuously partnered with sports and fashion brands. Such campaigns often draw more attention and eyeballs, even when run on digital platforms. 

Clothes or apparel from such high-end collaborations become the must-haves for a season. Loyal fans team up on websites, and shops are out of stock in no time. 

The rise of athleisure has been a constant symbol of the merger of sports and leisure. Such clothing is easy to wear at multiple locations and occasions. 

Organizations that want to tap into a wider market segment often combine athleisure with fashionable brands. 

5. Augmented reality changing rooms

Online sports apparel stores are now inventing and investing more in AR trial rooms. Customers click their selfies and pose to upload and check which attire or outfit fits them the best. 

The personalized recommendation engine works best here while the customers create their avatars in the stores. These engines offer the best apparel to fit the avatar’s size, and customers get a real idea of what type of clothes would look and feel good on them. 

Because of such trial rooms, customers no longer have to visit the stores personally. This increases each customer’s online footfall, who usually hesitates to shop online.

6. Behind-the-scenes and live streaming to build up a story around apparel

Customers want to relate more to the chain of clothing lines you want to establish for the sportsperson. Show them more of the BTS stories and give out more client or customer testimonials. 

Such trends are already out there for the sports apparel industry owners to build hype and create credibility. 

With the BTS clips, customers have grown more conscious and educated about the process of manufacturing clothes. They can easily trust the brand to wear those clothes to their favorite matches and tournaments. 

Live streaming with sportspersons also helps build trust in the digital space for sports apparel organizations and startups. 

Collaborations with sports influencers for live streaming are often more cost-effective than high-profile collaborations with celebrities and other associated brands. 

Through live streaming, startups have a faster reach while planning to connect to the younger audience. 

Ready to transform your sports apparel business with smart and creative solutions?

We studied six core trends that are on the rise in the sports apparel business. These solutions are trendy, smart, and highly qualified when partnered with influencers and celebrities. 

Make data-driven decisions with templates, orders, and brochures that have QR codes. Monitor your monthly or quarterly sales to better understand this industry’s game—whether for wearable gadgets or smart and sleek sports gear.