This report is a preview to our Think Tank: The US Adaptive Apparel Market. The Coresight Research Think Tank series delves into the trends and segments that we have identified as key for 2021 and beyond. We provide a definitive overview of each topic and its impact on retail. Adaptive apparel refers to clothing and footwear designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and conditions. Exploring the US market, our Think Tank will provide a detail review of the adaptive consumer, average spending and potential market size, as well as retailers and brands in the adaptive space, recent innovations and catalysts for growth. In this preview report, we present highlights from the Think Tank. Click here to read the full report.

US Adaptive Apparel Market: Think Tank Preview

Adaptive apparel refers to categories of clothing and footwear that serve needs not met by traditional fashion. Apparel specifically designed to help individuals with disabilities to dress and live with more independence is often called “stress-free” or “adaptive” clothing. The market caters to individuals with disabilities, individuals with mobility, sensory or motor processing difficulties, and individuals who are undergoing various medical treatments. The Adaptive Apparel Consumer: Ambulatory Difficulty Poses the Greatest Opportunity In 2019, 41.1 million individuals reported having a disability to the US Census Bureau, totaling 12.7% of the population. Each person could report more than one disability type. With 20.8 million Americans reporting ambulatory difficulty, this need poses the greatest opportunity in the adaptive apparel market. We show a breakdown of the disability types by age range in Figure 1. Figure 1. Americans with Disabilities: Disability Type by Age Range, 2019 (Mil.) [caption id="attachment_122362" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: US Census Bureau[/caption]   The Adaptive Apparel Landscape: Major Brands and Retailers Are Entering the Space Over the past five years, brands and retailers have been increasingly recognizing the need for adaptive clothing and footwear. We are seeing developments across three key areas in the US competitive landscape:

1. Major retailers and brands are launching adaptive brand extensions—including Kohl’s, Target and Tommy Hilfiger.
2. Independent brands are creating their own dedicated adaptive offerings.
3. Adaptive e-commerce marketplaces are offering consumers an assortment of brands.

Figure 2. US Adaptive Apparel Market: Timeline of Entry by Selected Brands and Retailers [caption id="attachment_122363" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Coresight Research[/caption]   Technical Innovation, Brand Partnerships, Community Building and Social Media In 2020, apparel brands steadily pushed the adaptive market forward, each in unique ways that are helping to drive awareness of the market while targeting different consumer groups:

• FFORA, a brand that offers solutions for wheelchair users, collaborated with Microsoft on a commercial for its series, “What Matters Most,” featuring FFORA CEO Lucy Jones using technology to design the brand’s products. Jones also collaborated in a follow-on 30-minute Live Nation x Twitch livestream with Microsoft in December, going live prior to a Tayla Parx concert for thousands of viewers.
• JuniperUnltd launched as an e-commerce adaptive marketplace with a community content hub. The community portal enables consumers to access personal stories and profiles, industry articles on adaptive living and design, employment opportunities, disability challenges, Instagram recommendations and events.
• Ministry of Supply launched the Kinetic Adaptive Pant for men and women, which was designed with input from user focus groups and research into how to minimize pressure while seated. A series of product prototypes was tested by world-class athletes, according to the company.
• Zappos Adaptive launched two initiatives, a Single & Different Size Shoes Program, and Ugg Universal, both of which focus on user-centric designs and involve partnership with major footwear brands.

Catalysts for Market Growth: Employment, Sports Innovation and Education Organizations are launching initiatives in the adaptive community that will positively impact persons with disabilities in terms of access to employment and sports. Furthermore, educational opportunities are helping brands and retailers to understand the retail opportunity in the adaptive apparel market through panels and events. Access to employment opportunities will be an industry game changer, as only 19.3% of Americans with disabilities are employed, as reported by The Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2019. The New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities’ employment program NYC: ATWORK recruits, pre-screens and connects individuals with disabilities to job opportunities and internships with established business partners in the public and private sectors. Improved access to sports will further support market growth. We have seen initiatives such as the Sound of Tennis, a program designed for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The program was launched by Court 16, a New York City tennis club, and sponsored by BNP Paribas in partnership with Helen Keller Services for the Blind. The fashion industry is educating brands and retailers on adaptive apparel. The Council of Fashion Designers of America is hosting a webinar educational series on adaptive fashion in partnership with Runway of Dreams, a nonprofit organization, to prompt discussions about a disability-inclusive fashion future. Adaptive Apparel Opportunities: Consumer Spending and Market Potential There are significant white-space opportunities in the adaptive clothing and footwear market, as this is a nascent market that has just begun to take hold within the past five years. Our upcoming Think Tank: US Adaptive Apparel Market will outline estimated consumer spending and the potential adaptive apparel market opportunity.