The global apparel market, valued at approximately $1.5 trillion, sees Asia as the dominant player, responsible for nearly 39% of worldwide sales. Poland, a significant clothing producer with a 2% share in global production, faces challenges in establishing recognized global brands.
Poland’s Position in the Global Market
Piotr Maszczyk from the Warsaw School of Economics notes that Poland is evolving in line with global fashion trends, though hindered by a lack of strong, globally recognizable brands. The absence of such brands poses a significant hurdle in competing with global players like Adidas, Puma, Nike, and Zara.
China’s improving product quality poses a threat, with its ability to offer higher-quality goods at competitive prices. Marcin Klucznik, an advisor at the Polish Economic Institute, highlights that many Polish clothing companies import from Asian markets or invest in local production, benefiting from lower production costs.
Competitive Landscape and Limitations
Limited opportunities for Polish companies stem from intense competition in luxury apparel, primarily produced in Italy. Securing capital for global marketing campaigns is a hurdle, hindering competition with large, popular brands.
The surge in online apparel sales provides advantages, allowing companies to reduce prices due to lower logistics and store maintenance costs.