UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market

UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market, valued at USD 12 Bn, grows with rising health awareness, athleisure popularity, and sustainable products. Key segments include activewear and men's apparel.

Region:Europe

Author(s):Shubham

Product Code:KRAB6587

Pages:93

Published On:October 2025

About the Report

Base Year 2024

UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Overview

  • The UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market is valued at USD 12 billion, based on a five-year historical analysis. This growth is primarily driven by increasing health consciousness, a rise in fitness activities, and the growing trend of athleisure as everyday wear. The market has seen a significant shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly products, reflecting consumer preferences for brands that prioritize environmental responsibility.
  • Key cities dominating the market include London, Manchester, and Birmingham. London stands out due to its diverse population and high disposable income, making it a hub for premium sports apparel. Manchester and Birmingham also contribute significantly, driven by their vibrant sports culture and numerous fitness facilities, which encourage active lifestyles among residents.
  • In 2023, the UK government implemented regulations aimed at promoting sustainability in the fashion industry, including sports apparel. This initiative mandates that brands disclose their environmental impact and encourages the use of recycled materials in production. The regulation aims to reduce waste and promote responsible consumption, aligning with the growing consumer demand for sustainable products.
UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Size

UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Segmentation

By Type:The market is segmented into various types, including Activewear, Footwear, Accessories, Outerwear, Performance Apparel, Casual Wear, and Others. Activewear is currently the leading segment, driven by the increasing popularity of fitness activities and the trend of wearing sports clothing in casual settings. Footwear also holds a significant share, as consumers seek comfortable and stylish options for both athletic and everyday use. Accessories, Outerwear, and Performance Apparel are gaining traction as consumers look for functional and fashionable options.

UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market segmentation by Type.

By End-User:The market is segmented by end-user into Men, Women, and Children. The men's segment is currently the largest, driven by a growing interest in fitness and sports among men. Women’s participation in sports and fitness activities has also increased significantly, leading to a robust demand for women’s sports apparel. The children’s segment is expanding as parents increasingly prioritize active lifestyles for their children, contributing to the overall growth of the market.

UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market segmentation by End-User.

UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Competitive Landscape

The UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market is characterized by a dynamic mix of regional and international players. Leading participants such as Nike, Inc., Adidas AG, Under Armour, Inc., Puma SE, Lululemon Athletica Inc., ASICS Corporation, New Balance Athletics, Inc., Reebok International Ltd., Gymshark Ltd., Fabletics, Inc., Sweaty Betty Ltd., The North Face, Inc., Columbia Sportswear Company, H&M Group, Decathlon S.A. contribute to innovation, geographic expansion, and service delivery in this space.

Nike, Inc.

1964

Beaverton, Oregon, USA

Adidas AG

1949

Herzogenaurach, Germany

Under Armour, Inc.

1996

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Puma SE

1948

Herzogenaurach, Germany

Lululemon Athletica Inc.

1998

Vancouver, Canada

Company

Establishment Year

Headquarters

Group Size (Large, Medium, or Small as per industry convention)

Revenue Growth Rate

Market Penetration Rate

Customer Retention Rate

Average Order Value

Pricing Strategy

UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Industry Analysis

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing Health Consciousness:The UK has seen a significant rise in health consciousness, with 63% of adults engaging in regular physical activity as of the future, according to Sport England. This trend is driven by a growing awareness of health benefits, leading to increased demand for sports apparel. The UK fitness industry is projected to reach £5.5 billion in revenue, further fueling the need for high-quality, performance-oriented apparel that supports active lifestyles.
  • Rise of Athleisure Trend:The athleisure trend continues to dominate the UK market, with sales of athleisure apparel reaching £2.8 billion in the future. This growth is attributed to the blending of fashion and functionality, appealing to consumers who prioritize comfort and style. Major brands are expanding their athleisure lines, responding to a 45% increase in demand for versatile clothing suitable for both workouts and casual wear, thus driving market expansion.
  • Expansion of E-commerce Platforms:E-commerce sales in the UK sports apparel sector are projected to exceed £2 billion in the future, reflecting a 30% increase from the previous year. The convenience of online shopping, coupled with enhanced digital marketing strategies, has made it easier for consumers to access a wide range of products. This shift is supported by a 35% rise in online retail penetration, indicating a robust trend towards digital purchasing in the sports apparel market.

Market Challenges

  • Intense Competition:The UK sports apparel market is characterized by intense competition, with over 250 brands vying for market share. Major players like Nike and Adidas dominate, holding approximately 42% of the market. This competitive landscape pressures smaller brands to innovate continuously and differentiate their offerings, which can strain resources and limit growth potential, especially for new entrants.
  • Price Sensitivity Among Consumers:Price sensitivity remains a significant challenge, with 58% of consumers indicating that price is a primary factor in their purchasing decisions. The economic climate in the future, marked by inflation rates of 4%, has led consumers to seek value for money, impacting premium brands. This trend forces companies to balance quality and affordability, complicating pricing strategies in a competitive market.

UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Future Outlook

The UK sports apparel and athleisure market is poised for continued growth, driven by evolving consumer preferences towards health and wellness. As sustainability becomes a priority, brands are increasingly adopting eco-friendly practices, which will likely resonate with the environmentally conscious consumer base. Additionally, the integration of smart technology in apparel is expected to enhance user experience, further driving demand. The market is also likely to see increased collaboration with fitness influencers, leveraging social media to reach broader audiences and boost sales.

Market Opportunities

  • Growth in Sustainable Apparel:The demand for sustainable sports apparel is on the rise, with the market expected to reach £1.2 billion in the future. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices, presenting a significant opportunity for brands to innovate and capture this growing segment.
  • Collaborations with Fitness Influencers:Collaborating with fitness influencers can significantly enhance brand visibility and credibility. With over 75% of consumers trusting recommendations from influencers, brands that engage in strategic partnerships can tap into new customer bases, potentially increasing sales by up to 25% in targeted demographics.

Scope of the Report

SegmentSub-Segments
By Type

Activewear

Footwear

Accessories

Outerwear

Performance Apparel

Casual Wear

Others

By End-User

Men

Women

Children

By Sales Channel

Online Retail

Brick-and-Mortar Stores

Wholesale

By Price Range

Budget

Mid-Range

Premium

By Material

Cotton

Polyester

Nylon

Blends

By Occasion

Gym and Fitness

Sports Events

Casual Outings

By Brand Loyalty

Brand Loyal Customers

Price-Sensitive Customers

Trend-Focused Customers

Key Target Audience

Investors and Venture Capitalist Firms

Government and Regulatory Bodies (e.g., Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; UK Sport)

Manufacturers and Producers

Distributors and Retailers

Fitness and Wellness Centers

Sports Teams and Organizations

Marketing and Advertising Agencies

Financial Institutions

Players Mentioned in the Report:

Nike, Inc.

Adidas AG

Under Armour, Inc.

Puma SE

Lululemon Athletica Inc.

ASICS Corporation

New Balance Athletics, Inc.

Reebok International Ltd.

Gymshark Ltd.

Fabletics, Inc.

Sweaty Betty Ltd.

The North Face, Inc.

Columbia Sportswear Company

H&M Group

Decathlon S.A.

Table of Contents

Market Assessment Phase

1. Executive Summary and Approach


2. UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Overview

2.1 Key Insights and Strategic Recommendations

2.2 UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Overview

2.3 Definition and Scope

2.4 Evolution of Market Ecosystem

2.5 Timeline of Key Regulatory Milestones

2.6 Value Chain & Stakeholder Mapping

2.7 Business Cycle Analysis

2.8 Policy & Incentive Landscape


3. UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Analysis

3.1 Growth Drivers

3.1.1 Increasing Health Consciousness
3.1.2 Rise of Athleisure Trend
3.1.3 Expansion of E-commerce Platforms
3.1.4 Technological Advancements in Fabric

3.2 Market Challenges

3.2.1 Intense Competition
3.2.2 Price Sensitivity Among Consumers
3.2.3 Supply Chain Disruptions
3.2.4 Changing Consumer Preferences

3.3 Market Opportunities

3.3.1 Growth in Sustainable Apparel
3.3.2 Expansion into Emerging Markets
3.3.3 Collaborations with Fitness Influencers
3.3.4 Customization and Personalization Trends

3.4 Market Trends

3.4.1 Increased Focus on Sustainability
3.4.2 Integration of Smart Technology
3.4.3 Rise of Subscription Models
3.4.4 Growth of Online Fitness Communities

3.5 Government Regulation

3.5.1 Environmental Regulations
3.5.2 Trade Tariffs and Import Duties
3.5.3 Labor Laws and Fair Trade Practices
3.5.4 Advertising Standards for Health Claims

4. SWOT Analysis


5. Stakeholder Analysis


6. Porter's Five Forces Analysis


7. UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Market Size, 2019-2024

7.1 By Value

7.2 By Volume

7.3 By Average Selling Price


8. UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Segmentation

8.1 By Type

8.1.1 Activewear
8.1.2 Footwear
8.1.3 Accessories
8.1.4 Outerwear
8.1.5 Performance Apparel
8.1.6 Casual Wear
8.1.7 Others

8.2 By End-User

8.2.1 Men
8.2.2 Women
8.2.3 Children

8.3 By Sales Channel

8.3.1 Online Retail
8.3.2 Brick-and-Mortar Stores
8.3.3 Wholesale

8.4 By Price Range

8.4.1 Budget
8.4.2 Mid-Range
8.4.3 Premium

8.5 By Material

8.5.1 Cotton
8.5.2 Polyester
8.5.3 Nylon
8.5.4 Blends

8.6 By Occasion

8.6.1 Gym and Fitness
8.6.2 Sports Events
8.6.3 Casual Outings

8.7 By Brand Loyalty

8.7.1 Brand Loyal Customers
8.7.2 Price-Sensitive Customers
8.7.3 Trend-Focused Customers

9. UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Competitive Analysis

9.1 Market Share of Key Players

9.2 Cross Comparison of Key Players

9.2.1 Company Name
9.2.2 Group Size (Large, Medium, or Small as per industry convention)
9.2.3 Revenue Growth Rate
9.2.4 Market Penetration Rate
9.2.5 Customer Retention Rate
9.2.6 Average Order Value
9.2.7 Pricing Strategy
9.2.8 Brand Equity
9.2.9 Product Return Rate
9.2.10 Distribution Efficiency

9.3 SWOT Analysis of Top Players

9.4 Pricing Analysis

9.5 Detailed Profile of Major Companies

9.5.1 Nike, Inc.
9.5.2 Adidas AG
9.5.3 Under Armour, Inc.
9.5.4 Puma SE
9.5.5 Lululemon Athletica Inc.
9.5.6 ASICS Corporation
9.5.7 New Balance Athletics, Inc.
9.5.8 Reebok International Ltd.
9.5.9 Gymshark Ltd.
9.5.10 Fabletics, Inc.
9.5.11 Sweaty Betty Ltd.
9.5.12 The North Face, Inc.
9.5.13 Columbia Sportswear Company
9.5.14 H&M Group
9.5.15 Decathlon S.A.

10. UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market End-User Analysis

10.1 Procurement Behavior of Key Ministries

10.1.1 Government Contracts
10.1.2 Budget Allocations
10.1.3 Supplier Selection Criteria

10.2 Corporate Spend on Infrastructure & Energy

10.2.1 Investment in Sustainable Practices
10.2.2 Budget for Employee Wellness Programs
10.2.3 Spending on Sports Sponsorships

10.3 Pain Point Analysis by End-User Category

10.3.1 Quality vs. Price Concerns
10.3.2 Availability of Sizes and Styles
10.3.3 Brand Trust Issues

10.4 User Readiness for Adoption

10.4.1 Awareness of New Products
10.4.2 Willingness to Pay for Quality
10.4.3 Adoption of Online Shopping

10.5 Post-Deployment ROI and Use Case Expansion

10.5.1 Measurement of Customer Satisfaction
10.5.2 Analysis of Repeat Purchases
10.5.3 Expansion into New Product Lines

11. UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market Future Size, 2025-2030

11.1 By Value

11.2 By Volume

11.3 By Average Selling Price


Go-To-Market Strategy Phase

1. Whitespace Analysis + Business Model Canvas

1.1 Market Gaps Identification

1.2 Business Model Framework


2. Marketing and Positioning Recommendations

2.1 Branding Strategies

2.2 Product USPs


3. Distribution Plan

3.1 Urban Retail Strategies

3.2 Rural NGO Tie-ups


4. Channel & Pricing Gaps

4.1 Underserved Routes

4.2 Pricing Bands Analysis


5. Unmet Demand & Latent Needs

5.1 Category Gaps

5.2 Consumer Segments


6. Customer Relationship

6.1 Loyalty Programs

6.2 After-sales Service


7. Value Proposition

7.1 Sustainability Initiatives

7.2 Integrated Supply Chains


8. Key Activities

8.1 Regulatory Compliance

8.2 Branding Efforts

8.3 Distribution Setup


9. Entry Strategy Evaluation

9.1 Domestic Market Entry Strategy

9.1.1 Product Mix Considerations
9.1.2 Pricing Band Strategy
9.1.3 Packaging Innovations

9.2 Export Entry Strategy

9.2.1 Target Countries Analysis
9.2.2 Compliance Roadmap

10. Entry Mode Assessment

10.1 Joint Ventures

10.2 Greenfield Investments

10.3 Mergers & Acquisitions

10.4 Distributor Model


11. Capital and Timeline Estimation

11.1 Capital Requirements

11.2 Timelines for Implementation


12. Control vs Risk Trade-Off

12.1 Ownership Considerations

12.2 Partnerships Evaluation


13. Profitability Outlook

13.1 Breakeven Analysis

13.2 Long-term Sustainability


14. Potential Partner List

14.1 Distributors

14.2 Joint Ventures

14.3 Acquisition Targets


15. Execution Roadmap

15.1 Phased Plan for Market Entry

15.1.1 Market Setup
15.1.2 Market Entry
15.1.3 Growth Acceleration
15.1.4 Scale & Stabilize

15.2 Key Activities and Milestones

15.2.1 Activity Planning
15.2.2 Milestone Tracking

Research Methodology

ApproachModellingSample

Phase 1: Approach1

Desk Research

  • Analysis of market reports from industry associations such as the UK Fashion and Textile Association
  • Review of government publications and statistics on consumer spending in the sports apparel sector
  • Examination of academic journals and articles focusing on trends in athleisure and sportswear consumption

Primary Research

  • Interviews with brand managers from leading sports apparel companies to gather insights on market dynamics
  • Surveys targeting fitness enthusiasts and athleisure consumers to understand purchasing behavior and preferences
  • Focus groups with retail staff to discuss consumer interactions and feedback on sports apparel products

Validation & Triangulation

  • Cross-validation of findings through comparison with sales data from major retailers in the sports apparel sector
  • Triangulation of consumer insights with expert opinions from industry analysts and market researchers
  • Sanity checks through peer reviews and feedback from stakeholders in the sports apparel industry

Phase 2: Market Size Estimation1

Top-down Assessment

  • Estimation of total market size based on national retail sales data for sports apparel and athleisure
  • Segmentation of the market by product categories such as footwear, clothing, and accessories
  • Incorporation of demographic trends and lifestyle changes influencing athleisure adoption

Bottom-up Modeling

  • Collection of sales data from key retailers and e-commerce platforms specializing in sports apparel
  • Analysis of average transaction values and purchase frequencies among target consumer segments
  • Estimation of market share for emerging brands and niche players in the athleisure space

Forecasting & Scenario Analysis

  • Development of growth projections based on historical sales trends and economic indicators
  • Scenario modeling considering factors such as shifts in consumer preferences and economic conditions
  • Creation of best-case, worst-case, and most-likely scenarios for market growth through 2030

Phase 3: CATI Sample Composition1

Scope Item/SegmentSample SizeTarget Respondent Profiles
Consumer Preferences in Sports Apparel150Active Lifestyle Consumers, Athletes, Fitness Enthusiasts
Retail Insights on Athleisure Trends100Store Managers, Sales Associates, Brand Representatives
Market Dynamics from Industry Experts50Market Analysts, Brand Strategists, Retail Consultants
Impact of Social Media on Purchase Decisions80Social Media Influencers, Digital Marketers, Content Creators
Consumer Attitudes towards Sustainability in Apparel70Sustainability Advocates, Eco-conscious Consumers, Fashion Bloggers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current value of the UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market?

The UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market is valued at approximately USD 12 billion, reflecting a significant growth trend driven by increased health consciousness and the popularity of athleisure as everyday wear.

What factors are driving growth in the UK Sports Apparel and Athleisure Market?

Which cities are the largest markets for sports apparel in the UK?

How has the UK government influenced the sports apparel market?

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