Women's knitted blouses and shirts market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Italian market for women's knitted blouses and shirts contracted sharply from 25.3 million units to 9.5 million units. This decline was initially driven by a documented shift in women's clothing preferences towards more comfortable trousers and away from items like blouses, a trend that began before the pandemic. The market then faced a severe disruption in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which caused widespread difficulties across the fashion sector.

Following a partial recovery to 13.1 million units in 2021, the market volume continued to decline, reaching 10.1 million units by 2024. The persistent downturn reflects a lasting change in wardrobe choices, with increasing demand for versatile and sporty styles like athleisure. Concurrently, the implementation of new extended producer responsibility rules for textiles and national collective labor agreements focusing on supply chain transparency introduced additional operational considerations for the industry.

Despite the overall market contraction, the period saw the rise of digital sales channels and niche players, such as the growth of made-to-measure shirt e-commerce platforms like Apposta. Innovations in sustainable materials and knitting technology, supported by startups and the national recovery plan's focus on textile recycling, also spurred product development, although these factors were unable to reverse the core trend of falling demand for traditional knitted blouses.

Production women's knitted blouses and shirts in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018, showing a 3.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the output of women's knitted blouses and shirts in Italy was valued at 106.0 M $ US, marking a sharp decline of 39.6% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 247.3 M $ US, with the largest increase that year reaching 238.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Production hit its lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, varying by 12 times between these extremes. In 2020, Italy produced 1 254 K units of women's knitted blouses and shirts, representing a steep reduction of 83.1% compared to 2019. The maximum production was recorded in 2018 at 14 996 K units, with the largest increase that year at 246.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Exports women's knitted blouses and shirts from Italy

Exports in kind, K unit

Export volumes of women's knitted blouses and shirts from Italy declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 6 584 K units, which is 31.0% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 39.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 13.2% of exports in kind, France for 13.1%, and Spain for 11.9%, together representing 38.2% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 61.8%.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of women's knitted blouses and shirts from Italy declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Italy exported 109.6 M $ US worth of these products, down by 23.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 32.6%, with an annualized rate of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the period 2017–2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. France accounted for 14.2% of exports in value terms, Germany for 13.9%, and Spain for 9.1%, together representing only 37.2% of total flows. The remaining 62.8% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports women's knitted blouses and shirts to Italy

Imports in kind, K unit

Italy's import volume of women's knitted blouses and shirts declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 14 792 K units, reflecting a steep decline of 26.1% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 31.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for imports in kind of women's knitted blouses and shirts to Italy was quite broad. Bangladesh accounted for 29.4% of imports in kind, China for 11.2%, and France for 7.5%, together representing only 48.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's imports of women's knitted blouses and shirts declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 81.7 M $ US, equivalent to a fall of 24.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 31.1%, with an annualized rate of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for imports in value terms of women's knitted blouses and shirts to Italy was quite broad. China accounted for 16.1% of imports in value terms, Bangladesh for 12.4%, and France for 10.9%, together representing only 39.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020