In a significant turnaround for the fashion industry, French consumers purchased a remarkable 2.8 billion apparel items in 2024, according to a detailed report from ReFashion, the French eco-platform focused on recycling textiles, footwear, and home linens.
The analysis, based on surveys conducted with over 10,000 retailers and importers, indicates a substantial rebound in consumer demand following a lackluster 2023. This resurgence has been driven by the increasing popularity of online retailers, clearance platforms, and heightened interest in footwear.
In total, French consumers acquired 3.5 billion new items of clothing, shoes, and home linens in 2024, averaging more than 10 million items sold daily. Apparel purchases alone rose by 2.4%, totaling 2.8 billion units. Shoe sales experienced a more pronounced increase of 9.3%, reaching 259 million pairs, while home linens saw a slight uptick of 0.6%, totaling 362 million units. This upward trend reflects a consistent growth of 400 million additional items sold each year over the past five years.
Revenue in the fashion sector mirrored this positive momentum, bouncing back with a 2.9% increase following a decline in 2023. This recovery was largely fueled by robust consumer confidence and a nearly 30% surge in sales from online-only retailers and clearance sites. However, not all market segments experienced growth; traditional mass retailers reported a 5.1% drop in sales, pointing to shifting consumer preferences.
On average, each French shopper bought 42 items in 2024, which included 26 garments and three pairs of shoes. Women were the primary drivers of this growth, purchasing an average of 32 clothing items, compared to 19 items for men. While adult fashion was the main contributor to this increase, sales of children’s and baby clothing saw a decline.
Another notable trend was the rise of secondhand fashion, which now constitutes 7.1% of the overall market. Consumers purchased an average of 7.3 secondhand items each year, with online platforms like Vinted, flea markets, and social economy initiatives leading this shift. The average resale price for secondhand goods was approximately $10.26, highlighting the appeal of affordable and sustainable fashion choices.
In summary, the record-breaking apparel purchases in France signal a significant recovery for the fashion market, underpinned by evolving consumer habits and an increasing focus on sustainability.
