Let’s hear it for the boy

Business is certainly booming in the UK menswear industry, with growth in 2015 up 4.1 per cent in just one year. Since 2010 the market has grown from £11.4billion to £14.1billion in 2015. Mintel is predicting further growth of 22.5 per cent between now (2017) and 2020.

Made-to-measure sales are up 22 per cent year on year and are set to rise further still as men’s expectations change in favour of quality and fit, with greater interest in style and design. 12 per cent of men purchased a suit in 2015 (around 2.4 million, with some making multiple buys) and many favour smarter casual wear.

Mintel’s senior fashion analyst has identified men aged 45-54 as showing above average interest in styling and fit, with 50 per cent taking an interest. Another fact was that younger men are more interested in quality than price, with 54 per cent focusing on quality.

Carol Rawson, managing director of Suit the City, says, “We are delighted that men are taking a greater interest in quality and style; growth in the market is testament to that shift in attitudes and shows that it is a perfect time to invest in a franchise.”