The Apparel market comprises all clothing segments that are produced for private end customers and is broken down into the following product lines: Women’s Apparel, Men’s Apparel and Children’s Apparel. Work clothes as well as other personal accessories such as watches and jewelry, handbags or similar items that do not count as actual articles of clothing are not included. Nike, ZARA, H&M and Uniqlo are the most valuable fashion brands in the world. In addition, there are numerous small, middle-sized and big brands that operate successfully at a national or regional level. Along general lines, the distribution channels can be divided into stationary suppliers of multi-label products (department stores, traditional specialist shops), vertically integrated textile chains (e.g. H&M, Primark) and mail-order businesses (e-commerce, ordering by catalog). Furthermore, some fashion brands seek direct contact with their customers through single-label stores.
