Headwear Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Hats & Caps, Beanies), By Distribution Channel (Offline, Online), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global headwear market was valued at USD 26.50 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2023 to 2030. The market growth is primarily driven by the growing fashion industry and the increased appeal of fashion among consumers globally. In addition, changing weather conditions due to global warming have played a major role in the growing popularity of winter apparel and accessories such as hats, beanies, and winter headwear products.

Leading industry players are placing a greater emphasis on offering a variety of winter hats. Their new designs vary significantly based on color, shape, style, and size to cater to unique customer requirements.In Oct 2022, Southern California’s headwear brand, Melin announced the launch of the, ‘Infinite THERMAL Collection’. The collection of hats is designed to make cold-weather adventures more enjoyable. The brand partnered with professional snowboarder and adventurist Louie Vito to create a limited edition titled, Infinite A-Game, in maroon, frost, navy, and olive varieties.

Nowadays, most women opt to wear headbands, headscarves, and hats to enhance their appearance and to protect themselves from heat, dust, and cold while outdoors. They prefer wearing headwear accessories to protect their skin from sun damage and cold weather, which can lead to premature aging marks on the face and neck areas. 

During the COVID outbreak, there was a shortage of both raw materials, skilled labor, and distribution networks also experienced disruptions. The outbreak caused a global financial crisis, which further altered consumer preferences and led to a decline in sales of items that were treated as non-essential. As a result, the market saw a drop in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the market has recovered at a positive rate since the pandemic. According to the 2022 National Retail Federation data, clothing and clothing accessory stores were up 2.6% in month-over-month sales, which were seasonally adjusted and up 7.5 percent (unadjusted) year-over-year.

Market Dynamics

The proliferation of e-commerce has revolutionized the way headwear is bought and sold. Online sales channels, such as e-commerce websites, mobile apps, and online marketplaces, have played a pivotal role in expanding the headwear market. Moreover, online sales channels have enabled international reach, breaking geographical barriers. Headwear brands can now tap into global markets, reaching customers beyond their immediate physical locations. Social media and influencer marketing further fuel the online headwear market's growth as fashion enthusiasts showcase their favorite styles, fostering trends and driving demand.

Growing brand partnerships and sponsorships have also been a catalyst for the headwear market's expansion. Companies are increasingly collaborating with popular brands and influencers to create limited-edition and co-branded headwear collections, leveraging their reach and credibility to attract a wider consumer base. This marketing strategy not only boosts sales but also enhances brand visibility and loyalty in a competitive market. These collaborations allow sports organizations to showcase their logos, names, and products through headwear. By associating their brand with popular sports teams, leagues, or athletes, companies gain significant exposure to a dedicated fan base. This increases brand visibility and helps them reach new consumers, resulting in higher sales of headwear, thus driving market growth.

Type Insights

Hats & caps dominated the headwear industry in 2022, in terms of revenue, and is likely to continue the dominance over the forecast period. Caps are multifunctional and are worn by several consumers as an everyday outdoor accessory. As companies design caps with diverse designs for various occasions, caps continue to gain widespread acceptance among youth. Baseball caps and sun visors are popular among athletes who consider them to be a sports necessity.

In May 2020, New York-based e-commerce retailer, Jae Tips, released a collaboration with Hat Club to launch a purple cap with a white Yankees logo and pastel pink under visor (UV). Both the products were reminiscent of the 2000 World Series between the Yankees and New York Mets and retailed at USD 45. With the rise of sportswear, sports caps gained prominence, transitioning from a streetwear staple to a fashionable must-have among general consumers.

Demand for beanies is expected to grow considerably during the forecast period. Beanies are multifunctional and used as part of daily wear as well as for a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Beanies have enjoyed huge popularity in regions with a cool climate throughout history due to their essential function of delivering protection from the cold. Moreover, beanies have gained popularity among young people as they are available in fashionable designs and colors. Such aspects will aid in segment growth.

Distribution Channel Insights

Offline sales are expected to dominate the market over the forecast period as there is a greater penetration of apparel and accessories retail outlets in tier I, II, and III cities globally. The expansion of apparel retail establishments, both local and startup, has contributed to growth of offline sales worldwide.

In December 2022, Lids Inc., a leading sports retailer unveiled its newest retail concept, with the opening of ‘Lids Hat Drop’ in Queens, New York. The concept is the brick & mortar iteration of Lids' successful LidsHatDrop.com platform. It aims to engage customers while selling baseball caps, snapbacks, and beanies, among other products. To increase customer traction and sales, headwear manufacturers also advertise their accessories in hypermarkets and supermarkets.

During the festive season, key manufacturers' promotional and advertising activities through shopping malls and independent supermarkets, as well as the shopping benefits offered, will most likely drive consumers to make purchases through these channels. Furthermore, to improve customer in-store purchasing habits, sales personnel assist users in purchase decisions through end-to-end customer interactions regarding product details. Such factors are expected to drive offline sales channel during the forecast period.

Moreover, companies are launching virtual headwear products of higher quality and new designs to fulfill the growing demand for headwear products in the overall market. For example, Azuki, a Web3 anime brand, offers owners the option to embrace the holiday season by releasing virtual festive wear. Azuki owners can now outfit their (Non-Fungible Token) NFTs with a Santa hat and a holiday sweater.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominated the market with a revenue share of 40.5% in 2022. Product demand in Asia Pacific is expected to grow considerably over the coming years, driven by a rise in acceptance of wide categories of winter hats in countries such as China, India, and Japan, further supported by a large target customer base. Moreover, due to the fluctuating weather in the countries of Southern Asia, such as Australia, New Zealand, and others, headwear products are widely utilized and people prefer wearing them as a style statement, especially among the Gen Z and millennial demographic.

Therefore, retailers are responding to growing fashion trends by introducing stylish headbands, caps, and beanies. Moreover, the major brands including Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc. are introducing headbands and caps in trendy designs such as padded and embroidered varieties.

Headwear sales in Europe is expected to witness considerable growth in the coming years. The demand for beanies, mufflers, and scarves is driven by favorable environmental conditions for winterwear in countries including Norway, Finland, and Sweden, among others. Also, the region experiences a colder climate throughout the year and due to this reason, there is a growing demand for winterwear products throughout the region. Companies are introducing innovative headwear products of higher quality and new designs to meet the growing demand for headwear products in the overall market.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The headwear market is highly competitive, and major players in this industry employ a range of strategies to retain their market share and gain a competitive edge. Key companies such as Adidas AG, Calvin Klein, PUMA SE, Nike, Inc., and New Era Cap are investing in research and development in order to develop innovative and attractive ways for consumers to purchase such products. Furthermore, large firms are exploring new regions and demographics to improve product sales, either by entering the new market individually or by cooperating with local sporting companies around the world to launch different sports collections to attract worldwide fans.

• In May 2022, PUMA SE launched ‘Hometown Heroes’, a freshly designed and limited edition hat collection featuring three different cap styles. The first limited edition headwear collection will feature caps, beanies, and bucket hats designed and developed in collaboration with the founder of Upscale Vandal, Mike Camargo.

• In April 2022, Autumn Headwear, a US-based modern headwear brand announced the launch of its spring collection ‘Spring/Summer 2022’ at select retailers and online. The headwear collection includes caps, beanies, and bucket hats, and was designed by August Studio of Los Angeles.

Some of the prominent players in the headwear market include:

• Adidas AG

• Calvin Klein

• Gianni Versace S.r.l.

• Guccio Gucci S.p.A.

• New Era Cap

• LACOSTE

• Superdry PLC

• Nike, Inc.

• RALPH LAUREN MEDIA LLC

• PUMA SE

Headwear Market Report Scope

Global Headwear Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global headwear market report based on type, distribution channel, and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Hats & Caps

  • Beanies

  • Others

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Offline

  • Online

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa