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Fashion

Fashion
audio text
June 2012
Fashion

Throughout history, fashion has greatly influenced the “fabric” of societies all over the world. What people wear often characterizes who they are and what they do for a living. As Mark Twain once wrote, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”

The fashion industry is a global industry, where fashion designers, manufacturers, merchandisers, and retailers from all over the world collaborate to design, manufacture, and sell clothing, shoes, and accessories. The industry is characterized by short product life cycles, erratic consumer demand, an abundance of product variety, and complex supply chains.

In this Spotlight, we take a look at the fashion industry's supply chain—including import and producer prices, employment in the apparel manufacturing and fashion-related wholesale and retail trade industries, labor productivity in the manufacturing sector and in selected textile and apparel industries, and consumer prices and expenditures on apparel-related items.

Average annual expenditures on apparel, footwear, and related products and services, per household, 1985–2010
Item198519901995200020052010

Total

$1,419$1,620$1,703$1,856$1,886$1,700

Men, 16 and over

303324329344349304

Boys, 2 to 15

617096969178

Women, 16 and over

499586559607633562

Girls, 2 to 15

8187101118121101

Children under 2

567081828291

Footwear

184225278343320303

Other apparel products and service

235258259266290261

Source: Consumer Expenditure Survey

How Much Do Consumers Spend on Apparel?

In 2010, households spent, on average, $1,700 (in nominal terms) on apparel, footwear, and related products and services—3.5 percent of average annual expenditures. Since 1985, as a percentage of total apparel expenditures, households spent more, on average, on apparel designed for women aged 16 and over than any other apparel product or service.

Employment in apparel manufacturing and component industries, 1990–2011
YearApparel manufacturing, totalCut and sew apparel contractorsMen's and boys' cut and sew apparelWomen's and all other cut and sew apparelAll other apparel manufacturing

1990

902,800268,600234,400246,700153,200

1991

876,900262,600228,400237,400148,500

1992

879,300262,400230,700233,200153,000

1993

857,300253,000226,700223,800153,900

1994

831,900245,300219,700214,400152,500

1995

791,100233,300207,100202,400148,200

1996

722,300214,500185,200184,200138,500

1997

680,800204,100171,200173,300132,200

1998

621,400186,800155,100156,100123,300

1999

540,500163,500129,300136,400111,300

2000

483,500146,600111,600122,000103,300

2001

415,200123,40095,200104,80091,800

2002

350,000106,40074,20092,60076,800

2003

303,90094,20061,20079,30069,300

2004

278,00088,30054,60070,60064,500

2005

250,50079,50048,70065,20057,100

2006

232,40074,60043,10060,70054,000

2007

214,60066,30039,40059,90049,000

2008

199,00060,70037,40057,30043,600

2009

167,50049,90031,30050,80035,500

2010

156,60046,20029,00048,70032,600

2011

151,80045,30029,50048,70028,300

Source: Current Employment Statistics

Employment in Apparel Manufacturing

Employment in the apparel manufacturing industry has declined by more than 80 percent (from about 900,000 to 150,000 jobs) over the past two decades. The decline has been proportional throughout the apparel manufacturing component industries.

Apparel manufacturing establishments
Apparel manufacturing establishments
Apparel manufacturing establishments, by county, 2010 annual averages
CountyNumber of establishments

Kent County, Delaware

5

New Castle County, Delaware

3

Sussex County, Delaware

1

District of Columbia

6

Alachua County, Florida

1

Bay County, Florida

1

Brevard County, Florida

5

Broward County, Florida

34

Charlotte County, Florida

3

Collier County, Florida

2

Duval County, Florida

13

Escambia County, Florida

1

Highlands County, Florida

0

Hillsborough County, Florida

20

Indian River County, Florida

0

Lake County, Florida

1

Lee County, Florida

2

Leon County, Florida

1

Marion County, Florida

2

Martin County, Florida

1

Miami-Dade County, Florida

98

Monroe County, Florida

1

Okaloosa County, Florida

2

Orange County, Florida

13

Osceola County, Florida

3

Palm Beach County, Florida

22

Pasco County, Florida

3

Pinellas County, Florida

11

Polk County, Florida

2

St. Johns County, Florida

1

St. Lucie County, Florida

2

Santa Rosa County, Florida

2

Sarasota County, Florida

3

Seminole County, Florida

4

Volusia County, Florida

1

Washington County, Florida

1

Unknown Or Undefined, Florida

16

Appling County, Georgia

2

Baldwin County, Georgia

1

Barrow County, Georgia

2

Ben Hill County, Georgia

1

Bibb County, Georgia

2

Burke County, Georgia

1

Candler County, Georgia

1

Carroll County, Georgia

6

Chattooga County, Georgia

1

Cherokee County, Georgia

2

Clarke County, Georgia

1

Cobb County, Georgia

6

Colquitt County, Georgia

2

Columbia County, Georgia

1

De Kalb County, Georgia

3

Dooly County, Georgia

1

Fayette County, Georgia

2

Franklin County, Georgia

1

Fulton County, Georgia

15

Glynn County, Georgia

1

Grady County, Georgia

1

Gwinnett County, Georgia

8

Habersham County, Georgia

2

Hall County, Georgia

1

Haralson County, Georgia

1

Henry County, Georgia

1

Jefferson County, Georgia

2

Jenkins County, Georgia

1

Liberty County, Georgia

1

Lowndes County, Georgia

1

Lumpkin County, Georgia

1

McDuffie County, Georgia

1

Madison County, Georgia

1

Mitchell County, Georgia

2

Morgan County, Georgia

1

Muscogee County, Georgia

3

Peach County, Georgia

1

Pickens County, Georgia

1

Pierce County, Georgia

1

Richmond County, Georgia

2

Rockdale County, Georgia

1

Spalding County, Georgia

1

Toombs County, Georgia

7

Union County, Georgia

1

Ware County, Georgia

1

Wayne County, Georgia

4

Whitfield County, Georgia

2

Unknown Or Undefined, Georgia

10

Hawaii County, Hawaii

0

Honolulu County, Hawaii

53

Kauai County, Hawaii

1

Maui + Kalawao County, Hawaii

3

Ada County, Idaho

8

Bingham County, Idaho

1

Bonner County, Idaho

5

Bonneville County, Idaho

2

Boundary County, Idaho

1

Canyon County, Idaho

2

Elmore County, Idaho

1

Gem County, Idaho

1

Jefferson County, Idaho

1

Jerome County, Idaho

1

Kootenai County, Idaho

3

Nez Perce County, Idaho

1

Payette County, Idaho

1

Shoshone County, Idaho

1

Teton County, Idaho

1

Twin Falls County, Idaho

1

Unknown Or Undefined, Idaho

1

Adams County, Illinois

2

Bond County, Illinois

1

Carroll County, Illinois

1

Cass County, Illinois

1

Champaign County, Illinois

2

Clinton County, Illinois

2

Cook County, Illinois

100

Cumberland County, Illinois

1

Douglas County, Illinois

1

Du Page County, Illinois

13

Henry County, Illinois

1

Jasper County, Illinois

1

Jefferson County, Illinois

1

Jo Daviess County, Illinois

1

Kane County, Illinois

3

Kankakee County, Illinois

2

Kendall County, Illinois

1

Knox County, Illinois

1

Lake County, Illinois

5

Lawrence County, Illinois

1

Livingston County, Illinois

1

McLean County, Illinois

1

Macoupin County, Illinois

1

Madison County, Illinois

1

Marshall County, Illinois

1

St. Clair County, Illinois

1

Saline County, Illinois

2

Sangamon County, Illinois

1

Tazewell County, Illinois

1

Vermilion County, Illinois

1

Will County, Illinois

2

Williamson County, Illinois

1

Winnebago County, Illinois

2

Woodford County, Illinois

1

Unknown Or Undefined, Illinois

22

Allen County, Indiana

6

Boone County, Indiana

1

Brown County, Indiana

1

Carroll County, Indiana

1

Daviess County, Indiana

2

Delaware County, Indiana

1

Elkhart County, Indiana

1

Grant County, Indiana

1

Greene County, Indiana

1

Hamilton County, Indiana

2

Hancock County, Indiana

1

Hendricks County, Indiana

1

Johnson County, Indiana

3

Lake County, Indiana

3

La Porte County, Indiana

2

Lawrence County, Indiana

1

Madison County, Indiana

2

Marion County, Indiana

12

Miami County, Indiana

1

Montgomery County, Indiana

1

Noble County, Indiana

2

Ohio County, Indiana

1

Porter County, Indiana

2

Randolph County, Indiana

1

Ripley County, Indiana

1

St. Joseph County, Indiana

1

Shelby County, Indiana

1

Vigo County, Indiana

1

Wabash County, Indiana

1

Washington County, Indiana

0

Wayne County, Indiana

1

Black Hawk County, Iowa

1

Cherokee County, Iowa

1

Dickinson County, Iowa

2

Dubuque County, Iowa

1

Hamilton County, Iowa

1

Hancock County, Iowa

1

Hardin County, Iowa

1

Jefferson County, Iowa

2

Mahaska County, Iowa

1

Mitchell County, Iowa

2

Muscatine County, Iowa

1

Polk County, Iowa

3

Poweshiek County, Iowa

1

Scott County, Iowa

1

Shelby County, Iowa

1

Sioux County, Iowa

2

Webster County, Iowa

1

Woodbury County, Iowa

1

Cherokee County, Kansas

1

Johnson County, Kansas

8

Miami County, Kansas

1

Sedgwick County, Kansas

3

Wyandotte County, Kansas

1

Adair County, Kentucky

1

Barren County, Kentucky

0

Bourbon County, Kentucky

1

Caldwell County, Kentucky

2

Calloway County, Kentucky

1

Carter County, Kentucky

2

Christian County, Kentucky

3

Cumberland County, Kentucky

1

Daviess County, Kentucky

1

Estill County, Kentucky

1

Fayette County, Kentucky

3

Green County, Kentucky

1

Hopkins County, Kentucky

1

Jefferson County, Kentucky

7

Knox County, Kentucky

1

Larue County, Kentucky

1

Lincoln County, Kentucky

1

Mason County, Kentucky

1

Metcalfe County, Kentucky

2

Monroe County, Kentucky

2

Montgomery County, Kentucky

1

Pulaski County, Kentucky

1

Russell County, Kentucky

1

Scott County, Kentucky

1

Shelby County, Kentucky

1

Spencer County, Kentucky

1

Taylor County, Kentucky

1

Trigg County, Kentucky

1

Webster County, Kentucky

1

Whitley County, Kentucky

2

Unknown Or Undefined, Kentucky

1

Ascension Parish, Louisiana

3

Bossier Parish, Louisiana

1

Caddo Parish, Louisiana

1

East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

4

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

9

Lafayette Parish, Louisiana

2

Livingston Parish, Louisiana

1

Orleans Parish, Louisiana

7

Ouachita Parish, Louisiana

2

Rapides Parish, Louisiana

1

St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana

1

St. Landry Parish, Louisiana

3

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

1

St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

1

Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

1

Washington Parish, Louisiana

1

Androscoggin County, Maine

1

Cumberland County, Maine

3

Hancock County, Maine

2

Knox County, Maine

0

Oxford County, Maine

1

Penobscot County, Maine

2

Piscataquis County, Maine

1

Somerset County, Maine

1

Waldo County, Maine

1

York County, Maine

1

Allegany County, Maryland

2

Anne Arundel County, Maryland

3

Baltimore County, Maryland

4

Caroline County, Maryland

1

Carroll County, Maryland

5

Charles County, Maryland

1

Frederick County, Maryland

1

Garrett County, Maryland

1

Harford County, Maryland

2

Howard County, Maryland

5

Montgomery County, Maryland

4

Prince Georges County, Maryland

4

Wicomico County, Maryland

0

Worcester County, Maryland

2

Baltimore City, Maryland

12

Unknown Or Undefined, Maryland

1

Barnstable County, Massachusetts

4

Berkshire County, Massachusetts

1

Bristol County, Massachusetts

23

Essex County, Massachusetts

8

Hampden County, Massachusetts

5

Hampshire County, Massachusetts

2

Middlesex County, Massachusetts

19

Norfolk County, Massachusetts

6

Plymouth County, Massachusetts

4

Suffolk County, Massachusetts

15

Worcester County, Massachusetts

7

Allegan County, Michigan

1

Antrim County, Michigan

3

Arenac County, Michigan

1

Barry County, Michigan

1

Bay County, Michigan

1

Clinton County, Michigan

1

Delta County, Michigan

1

Hillsdale County, Michigan

1

Ingham County, Michigan

3

Ionia County, Michigan

1

Isabella County, Michigan

1

Jackson County, Michigan

1

Kalamazoo County, Michigan

2

Kent County, Michigan

4

Livingston County, Michigan

1

Macomb County, Michigan

10

Manistee County, Michigan

1

Oakland County, Michigan

12

Ottawa County, Michigan

1

Presque Isle County, Michigan

1

Saginaw County, Michigan

1

St. Clair County, Michigan

1

St. Joseph County, Michigan

1

Shiawassee County, Michigan

1

Tuscola County, Michigan

0

Washtenaw County, Michigan

2

Wayne County, Michigan

14

Unknown Or Undefined, Michigan

3

Anoka County, Minnesota

6

Beltrami County, Minnesota

1

Carlton County, Minnesota

3

Carver County, Minnesota

1

Chisago County, Minnesota

2

Crow Wing County, Minnesota

1

Dakota County, Minnesota

5

Douglas County, Minnesota

1

Hennepin County, Minnesota

30

Hubbard County, Minnesota

1

Itasca County, Minnesota

0

Meeker County, Minnesota

1

Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

1

Morrison County, Minnesota

1

Otter Tail County, Minnesota

1

Ramsey County, Minnesota

9

Rice County, Minnesota

1

St. Louis County, Minnesota

4

Scott County, Minnesota

1

Stearns County, Minnesota

3

Steele County, Minnesota

3

Swift County, Minnesota

1

Waseca County, Minnesota

1

Washington County, Minnesota

3

Winona County, Minnesota

1

Wright County, Minnesota

2

Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota

1

Unknown Or Undefined, Minnesota

5

Adams County, Mississippi

1

Alcorn County, Mississippi

4

Amite County, Mississippi

1

Attala County, Mississippi

1

Calhoun County, Mississippi

1

Coahoma County, Mississippi

2

Copiah County, Mississippi

2

De Soto County, Mississippi

1

Forrest County, Mississippi

1

George County, Mississippi

1

Harrison County, Mississippi

1

Hinds County, Mississippi

1

Jones County, Mississippi

1

Lafayette County, Mississippi

1

Lamar County, Mississippi

1

Lee County, Mississippi

2

Lowndes County, Mississippi

4

Neshoba County, Mississippi

1

Oktibbeha County, Mississippi

1

Pearl River County, Mississippi

1

Perry County, Mississippi

1

Pike County, Mississippi

1

Prentiss County, Mississippi

1

Sunflower County, Mississippi

1

Tishomingo County, Mississippi

2

Walthall County, Mississippi

0

Wayne County, Mississippi

2

Webster County, Mississippi

2

Winston County, Mississippi

1

Unknown Or Undefined, Mississippi

1

Benton County, Missouri

1

Bollinger County, Missouri

1

Buchanan County, Missouri

2

Camden County, Missouri

1

Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

1

Christian County, Missouri

1

Clay County, Missouri

1

Franklin County, Missouri

2

Gasconade County, Missouri

1

Greene County, Missouri

3

Howell County, Missouri

1

Jackson County, Missouri

5

Jasper County, Missouri

0

Jefferson County, Missouri

1

Laclede County, Missouri

1

Linn County, Missouri

1

Livingston County, Missouri

1

Madison County, Missouri

1

Miller County, Missouri

2

Osage County, Missouri

1

Polk County, Missouri

1

Ripley County, Missouri

0

St. Charles County, Missouri

1

St. Louis County, Missouri

13

Saline County, Missouri

2

Scott County, Missouri

2

Shannon County, Missouri

1

Stoddard County, Missouri

1

Stone County, Missouri

1

Sullivan County, Missouri

1

Texas County, Missouri

2

Webster County, Missouri

1

St. Louis City, Missouri

8

Gallatin County, Montana

2

Lake County, Montana

1

Lewis and Clark County, Montana

1

Missoula County, Montana

1

Cheyenne County, Nebraska

1

Cuming County, Nebraska

1

Custer County, Nebraska

1

Dawson County, Nebraska

1

Dodge County, Nebraska

1

Douglas County, Nebraska

6

Sarpy County, Nebraska

1

Clark County, Nevada

11

Washoe County, Nevada

2

Carson City, Nevada

1

Belknap County, New Hampshire

1

Carroll County, New Hampshire

6

Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1

Coos County, New Hampshire

4

Grafton County, New Hampshire

1

Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

3

Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1

Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1

Strafford County, New Hampshire

2

Atlantic County, New Jersey

1

Bergen County, New Jersey

32

Burlington County, New Jersey

5

Camden County, New Jersey

7

Cumberland County, New Jersey

4

Essex County, New Jersey

23

Gloucester County, New Jersey

2

Hudson County, New Jersey

50

Mercer County, New Jersey

3

Middlesex County, New Jersey

10

Monmouth County, New Jersey

7

Morris County, New Jersey

7

Ocean County, New Jersey

3

Passaic County, New Jersey

17

Salem County, New Jersey

1

Somerset County, New Jersey

2

Union County, New Jersey

11

Warren County, New Jersey

2

Unknown Or Undefined, New Jersey

12

Bernalillo County, New Mexico

7

Dona Ana County, New Mexico

1

Mckinley County, New Mexico

2

San Miguel County, New Mexico

1

Santa Fe County, New Mexico

5

Taos County, New Mexico

2

Unknown Or Undefined, New Mexico

1

Albany County, New York

4

Bronx County, New York

19

Broome County, New York

1

Chautauqua County, New York

1

Chemung County, New York

1

Clinton County, New York

2

Columbia County, New York

1

Delaware County, New York

1

Dutchess County, New York

2

Erie County, New York

14

Essex County, New York

1

Franklin County, New York

0

Fulton County, New York

8

Genesee County, New York

1

Herkimer County, New York

1

Jefferson County, New York

2

Kings County, New York

270

Monroe County, New York

8

Montgomery County, New York

1

Nassau County, New York

47

New York County, New York

803

Niagara County, New York

1

Oneida County, New York

4

Onondaga County, New York

3

Ontario County, New York

1

Orange County, New York

7

Otsego County, New York

2

Putnam County, New York

1

Queens County, New York

163

Rensselaer County, New York

2

Richmond County, New York

4

Rockland County, New York

4

St. Lawrence County, New York

1

Saratoga County, New York

4

Schenectady County, New York

4

Suffolk County, New York

32

Tompkins County, New York

1

Ulster County, New York

6

Warren County, New York

0

Westchester County, New York

19

Wyoming County, New York

1

Unknown Or Undefined, New York

11

Alamance County, North Carolina

20

Alexander County, North Carolina

2

Anson County, North Carolina

2

Avery County, North Carolina

1

Buncombe County, North Carolina

4

Burke County, North Carolina

13

Cabarrus County, North Carolina

9

Caldwell County, North Carolina

4

Carteret County, North Carolina

2

Caswell County, North Carolina

2

Catawba County, North Carolina

24

Cleveland County, North Carolina

3

Craven County, North Carolina

1

Cumberland County, North Carolina

4

Dare County, North Carolina

1

Davidson County, North Carolina

10

Davie County, North Carolina

4

Durham County, North Carolina

2

Edgecombe County, North Carolina

1

Forsyth County, North Carolina

10

Franklin County, North Carolina

1

Gaston County, North Carolina

5

Guilford County, North Carolina

13

Halifax County, North Carolina

1

Henderson County, North Carolina

1

Iredell County, North Carolina

4

Jackson County, North Carolina

1

Lee County, North Carolina

1

Lincoln County, North Carolina

1

McDowell County, North Carolina

2

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

5

Montgomery County, North Carolina

9

Moore County, North Carolina

1

Nash County, North Carolina

3

Northampton County, North Carolina

1

Orange County, North Carolina

2

Pitt County, North Carolina

2

Polk County, North Carolina

2

Randolph County, North Carolina

18

Richmond County, North Carolina

2

Robeson County, North Carolina

5

Rockingham County, North Carolina

2

Rowan County, North Carolina

2

Rutherford County, North Carolina

1

Sampson County, North Carolina

3

Stanly County, North Carolina

4

Surry County, North Carolina

8

Union County, North Carolina

5

Wake County, North Carolina

11

Watauga County, North Carolina

2

Wayne County, North Carolina

2

Wilkes County, North Carolina

7

Wilson County, North Carolina

2

Yancey County, North Carolina

1

Cass County, North Dakota

1

Morton County, North Dakota

1

Stark County, North Dakota

1

Stutsman County, North Dakota

1

Ward County, North Dakota

1

Butler County, Ohio

2

Clark County, Ohio

2

Columbiana County, Ohio

1

Coshocton County, Ohio

1

Crawford County, Ohio

1

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

16

Darke County, Ohio

1

Erie County, Ohio

1

Franklin County, Ohio

2

Hamilton County, Ohio

12

Hancock County, Ohio

1

Holmes County, Ohio

2

Huron County, Ohio

1

Logan County, Ohio

1

Lucas County, Ohio

4

Mahoning County, Ohio

2

Marion County, Ohio

1

Medina County, Ohio

1

Miami County, Ohio

1

Monroe County, Ohio

2

Montgomery County, Ohio

5

Muskingum County, Ohio

2

Perry County, Ohio

1

Pickaway County, Ohio

1

Portage County, Ohio

1

Preble County, Ohio

1

Richland County, Ohio

1

Seneca County, Ohio

3

Shelby County, Ohio

1

Stark County, Ohio

1

Summit County, Ohio

2

Trumbull County, Ohio

1

Tuscarawas County, Ohio

3

Union County, Ohio

1

Van Wert County, Ohio

1

Warren County, Ohio

2

Wayne County, Ohio

1

Williams County, Ohio

1

Wood County, Ohio

1

Unknown Or Undefined, Ohio

3

Canadian County, Oklahoma

1

Carter County, Oklahoma

1

Cleveland County, Oklahoma

3

Cotton County, Oklahoma

2

Creek County, Oklahoma

2

McClain County, Oklahoma

1

Mayes County, Oklahoma

1

Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

9

Pawnee County, Oklahoma

1

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

1

Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma

2

Seminole County, Oklahoma

1

Stephens County, Oklahoma

1

Tulsa County, Oklahoma

12

Clackamas County, Oregon

2

Columbia County, Oregon

2

Deschutes County, Oregon

3

Douglas County, Oregon

1

Hood River County, Oregon

1

Jackson County, Oregon

6

Josephine County, Oregon

1

Lane County, Oregon

4

Linn County, Oregon

1

Marion County, Oregon

8

Multnomah County, Oregon

25

Wasco County, Oregon

1

Washington County, Oregon

10

Unknown Or Undefined, Oregon

0

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

13

Beaver County, Pennsylvania

1

Berks County, Pennsylvania

12

Blair County, Pennsylvania

1

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

13

Butler County, Pennsylvania

1

Cambria County, Pennsylvania

5

Carbon County, Pennsylvania

4

Chester County, Pennsylvania

8

Clearfield County, Pennsylvania

3

Clinton County, Pennsylvania

1

Columbia County, Pennsylvania

2

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

1

Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

4

Delaware County, Pennsylvania

7

Erie County, Pennsylvania

2

Franklin County, Pennsylvania

2

Jefferson County, Pennsylvania

2

Juniata County, Pennsylvania

1

Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

6

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

15

Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

6

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

34

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

3

Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

3

Mifflin County, Pennsylvania

1

Monroe County, Pennsylvania

2

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

17

Montour County, Pennsylvania

1

Northampton County, Pennsylvania

16

Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

1

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

44

Pike County, Pennsylvania

1

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

9

Snyder County, Pennsylvania

3

Somerset County, Pennsylvania

2

Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania

1

Washington County, Pennsylvania

1

Wayne County, Pennsylvania

1

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

3

York County, Pennsylvania

7

Bristol County, Rhode Island

1

Kent County, Rhode Island

2

Newport County, Rhode Island

1

Providence County, Rhode Island

6

Washington County, Rhode Island

2

Aiken County, South Carolina

2

Allendale County, South Carolina

1

Anderson County, South Carolina

2

Barnwell County, South Carolina

1

Beaufort County, South Carolina

4

Charleston County, South Carolina

7

Cherokee County, South Carolina

3

Chesterfield County, South Carolina

3

Darlington County, South Carolina

1

Dorchester County, South Carolina

2

Greenville County, South Carolina

9

Horry County, South Carolina

7

Kershaw County, South Carolina

2

Lancaster County, South Carolina

1

Laurens County, South Carolina

2

Lexington County, South Carolina

1

Marion County, South Carolina

1

Newberry County, South Carolina

1

Oconee County, South Carolina

1

Richland County, South Carolina

2

Spartanburg County, South Carolina

5

Sumter County, South Carolina

2

Williamsburg County, South Carolina

4

York County, South Carolina

1

Unknown Or Undefined, South Carolina

4

Beadle County, South Dakota

1

Bon Homme County, South Dakota

1

Lake County, South Dakota

1

Lawrence County, South Dakota

1

Minnehaha County, South Dakota

2

Anderson County, Tennessee

1

Bedford County, Tennessee

2

Benton County, Tennessee

1

Bradley County, Tennessee

3

Campbell County, Tennessee

1

Carroll County, Tennessee

2

Chester County, Tennessee

1

Claiborne County, Tennessee

3

Coffee County, Tennessee

1

Crockett County, Tennessee

1

Cumberland County, Tennessee

1

Davidson County, Tennessee

9

Decatur County, Tennessee

1

De Kalb County, Tennessee

1

Fentress County, Tennessee

2

Franklin County, Tennessee

4

Gibson County, Tennessee

2

Giles County, Tennessee

2

Greene County, Tennessee

1

Grundy County, Tennessee

1

Hamblen County, Tennessee

1

Hamilton County, Tennessee

7

Hickman County, Tennessee

1

Knox County, Tennessee

8

Lauderdale County, Tennessee

1

Lawrence County, Tennessee

1

Loudon County, Tennessee

1

McMinn County, Tennessee

2

McNairy County, Tennessee

3

Macon County, Tennessee

3

Marion County, Tennessee

1

Maury County, Tennessee

2

Monroe County, Tennessee

4

Montgomery County, Tennessee

1

Moore County, Tennessee

1

Obion County, Tennessee

1

Polk County, Tennessee

1

Rhea County, Tennessee

3

Roane County, Tennessee

1

Rutherford County, Tennessee

2

Scott County, Tennessee

2

Sevier County, Tennessee

1

Shelby County, Tennessee

7

Sullivan County, Tennessee

4

Union County, Tennessee

1

Washington County, Tennessee

1

Wayne County, Tennessee

2

Weakley County, Tennessee

1

White County, Tennessee

2

Williamson County, Tennessee

2

Wilson County, Tennessee

1

Unknown Or Undefined, Tennessee

2

Bastrop County, Texas

2

Bell County, Texas

3

Bexar County, Texas

13

Brazos County, Texas

1

Brewster County, Texas

1

Brown County, Texas

1

Burnet County, Texas

1

Caldwell County, Texas

1

Cameron County, Texas

4

Camp County, Texas

1

Cass County, Texas

2

Cherokee County, Texas

1

Collin County, Texas

8

Comal County, Texas

1

Cooke County, Texas

1

Crockett County, Texas

1

Dallas County, Texas

77

Denton County, Texas

2

De Witt County, Texas

1

Ector County, Texas

1

Ellis County, Texas

3

El Paso County, Texas

22

Erath County, Texas

3

Fayette County, Texas

1

Foard County, Texas

1

Fort Bend County, Texas

4

Frio County, Texas

1

Galveston County, Texas

1

Gillespie County, Texas

1

Grayson County, Texas

1

Gregg County, Texas

2

Harris County, Texas

39

Harrison County, Texas

0

Henderson County, Texas

3

Hidalgo County, Texas

4

Houston County, Texas

1

Hunt County, Texas

1

Jefferson County, Texas

1

Johnson County, Texas

1

Kaufman County, Texas

1

Lamar County, Texas

1

Lubbock County, Texas

3

McLennan County, Texas

2

Maverick County, Texas

1

Montague County, Texas

1

Montgomery County, Texas

2

Navarro County, Texas

1

Newton County, Texas

2

Nueces County, Texas

4

Orange County, Texas

0

Randall County, Texas

1

Reeves County, Texas

1

Rockwall County, Texas

1

Rusk County, Texas

1

Scurry County, Texas

1

Smith County, Texas

0

Tarrant County, Texas

16

Taylor County, Texas

1

Tom Green County, Texas

2

Travis County, Texas

10

Uvalde County, Texas

1

Webb County, Texas

2

Wharton County, Texas

1

Wichita County, Texas

1

Willacy County, Texas

1

Wise County, Texas

1

Unknown Or Undefined, Texas

2

Box Elder County, Utah

2

Cache County, Utah

2

Davis County, Utah

2

Iron County, Utah

1

Salt Lake County, Utah

15

San Juan County, Utah

1

Summit County, Utah

1

Uintah County, Utah

2

Utah County, Utah

11

Washington County, Utah

1

Weber County, Utah

1

Addison County, Vermont

4

Bennington County, Vermont

1

Caledonia County, Vermont

2

Chittenden County, Vermont

2

Lamoille County, Vermont

2

Orange County, Vermont

2

Orleans County, Vermont

1

Washington County, Vermont

3

Albemarle County, Virginia

2

Augusta County, Virginia

1

Bath County, Virginia

1

Botetourt County, Virginia

1

Buchanan County, Virginia

1

Campbell County, Virginia

1

Carroll County, Virginia

0

Charles City County, Virginia

1

Charlotte County, Virginia

1

Chesterfield County, Virginia

2

Clarke County, Virginia

1

Fairfax County, Virginia

8

Franklin County, Virginia

1

Greene County, Virginia

1

Henrico County, Virginia

2

Henry County, Virginia

1

Lancaster County, Virginia

1

Lee County, Virginia

1

Loudoun County, Virginia

1

Mecklenburg County, Virginia

1

Page County, Virginia

1

Patrick County, Virginia

2

Pittsylvania County, Virginia

1

Prince William County, Virginia

2

Pulaski County, Virginia

1

Roanoke County, Virginia

1

Rockingham County, Virginia

1

Russell County, Virginia

1

Smyth County, Virginia

1

Spotsylvania County, Virginia

1

Stafford County, Virginia

1

Warren County, Virginia

1

Wythe County, Virginia

1

York County, Virginia

1

Alexandria City, Virginia

3

Bristol City, Virginia

1

Charlottesville City, Virginia

1

Danville City, Virginia

1

Galax City, Virginia

4

Hampton City, Virginia

2

Martinsville City, Virginia

1

Newport News City, Virginia

1

Richmond City, Virginia

8

Roanoke City, Virginia

1

Salem City, Virginia

1

Suffolk City, Virginia

1

Virginia Beach City, Virginia

7

Unknown Or Undefined, Virginia

0

Benton County, Washington

1

Chelan County, Washington

1

Clark County, Washington

2

Grays Harbor County, Washington

1

Jefferson County, Washington

1

King County, Washington

54

Kitsap County, Washington

2

Kittitas County, Washington

1

Lewis County, Washington

4

Mason County, Washington

1

Pierce County, Washington

10

Skagit County, Washington

1

Snohomish County, Washington

3

Spokane County, Washington

2

Thurston County, Washington

1

Whatcom County, Washington

3

Cabell County, West Virginia

1

Greenbrier County, West Virginia

1

Kanawha County, West Virginia

2

Marshall County, West Virginia

1

Mingo County, West Virginia

1

Preston County, West Virginia

1

Putnam County, West Virginia

1

Tyler County, West Virginia

1

Upshur County, West Virginia

1

Ashland County, Wisconsin

1

Barron County, Wisconsin

1

Brown County, Wisconsin

1

Burnett County, Wisconsin

1

Chippewa County, Wisconsin

2

Clark County, Wisconsin

2

Columbia County, Wisconsin

2

Dane County, Wisconsin

3

Grant County, Wisconsin

1

Green Lake County, Wisconsin

2

Jackson County, Wisconsin

1

Jefferson County, Wisconsin

1

Kenosha County, Wisconsin

0

La Crosse County, Wisconsin

1

Langlade County, Wisconsin

1

Marathon County, Wisconsin

1

Marinette County, Wisconsin

2

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

4

Monroe County, Wisconsin

2

Ozaukee County, Wisconsin

1

Pierce County, Wisconsin

0

Polk County, Wisconsin

1

Rock County, Wisconsin

1

St. Croix County, Wisconsin

3

Sheboygan County, Wisconsin

1

Washburn County, Wisconsin

1

Washington County, Wisconsin

1

Waukesha County, Wisconsin

2

Winnebago County, Wisconsin

2

Unknown Or Undefined, Wisconsin

0

Lincoln County, Wyoming

1

Teton County, Wyoming

3

Adjuntas Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Aguada Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Aguas Buenas Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Arecibo Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Barranquitas Municipio, Puerto Rico

2

Bayamo'n Municipio, Puerto Rico

5

Cabo Rojo Municipio, Puerto Rico

3

Caguas Municipio, Puerto Rico

7

Camuy Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Carolina Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Cayey Municipio, Puerto Rico

3

Ciales Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Cidra Municipio, Puerto Rico

3

Comerio Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Corozal Municipio, Puerto Rico

3

Guanica Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Guayama Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Guaynabo Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Humacao Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Lajas Municipio, Puerto Rico

4

Lares Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Las Marias Municipio, Puerto Rico

2

Mayaguez Municipio, Puerto Rico

9

Moca Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Morovis Municipio, Puerto Rico

2

Naguabo Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Naranjito Municipio, Puerto Rico

2

Orocovis Municipio, Puerto Rico

3

Ponce Municipio, Puerto Rico

5

Sabana Grande Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

San Juan Municipio, Puerto Rico

13

San Lorenzo Municipio, Puerto Rico

2

San Sebastian Municipio, Puerto Rico

4

Toa Alta Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Utuado Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Vega Alta Municipio, Puerto Rico

1

Yabucoa Municipio, Puerto Rico

3

St. John, Virgin Islands

1

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

1

Baldwin County, Alabama

2

Blount County, Alabama

1

Butler County, Alabama

0

Calhoun County, Alabama

1

Cherokee County, Alabama

3

Clarke County, Alabama

3

Clay County, Alabama

1

Cleburne County, Alabama

2

Coffee County, Alabama

2

Colbert County, Alabama

1

Conecuh County, Alabama

1

Covington County, Alabama

2

Cullman County, Alabama

2

Dale County, Alabama

1

Dallas County, Alabama

1

DeKalb County, Alabama

30

Elmore County, Alabama

1

Fayette County, Alabama

2

Houston County, Alabama

3

Jefferson County, Alabama

8

Lauderdale County, Alabama

1

Lawrence County, Alabama

2

Limestone County, Alabama

2

Lowndes County, Alabama

1

Madison County, Alabama

1

Marengo County, Alabama

1

Marion County, Alabama

2

Marshall County, Alabama

1

Mobile County, Alabama

2

Monroe County, Alabama

1

Morgan County, Alabama

2

Randolph County, Alabama

1

Russell County, Alabama

2

St. Clair County, Alabama

2

Talladega County, Alabama

1

Tallapoosa County, Alabama

3

Anchorage Borough, Alaska

0

Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska

2

Juneau Borough, Alaska

1

Mantanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska

1

Cochise County, Arizona

1

Coconino County, Arizona

1

La Paz County, Arizona

1

Maricopa County, Arizona

20

Pima County, Arizona

4

Santa Cruz County, Arizona

1

Ashley County, Arkansas

1

Benton County, Arkansas

2

Boone County, Arkansas

2

Chicot County, Arkansas

3

Clark County, Arkansas

1

Cleburne County, Arkansas

1

Craighead County, Arkansas

1

Crittenden County, Arkansas

1

Desha County, Arkansas

1

Hempstead County, Arkansas

1

Johnson County, Arkansas

1

Lafayette County, Arkansas

1

Lawrence County, Arkansas

1

Lincoln County, Arkansas

1

Pike County, Arkansas

1

Pulaski County, Arkansas

3

Saline County, Arkansas

2

Searcy County, Arkansas

1

Sebastian County, Arkansas

2

Sharp County, Arkansas

1

Unknown Or Undefined, Arkansas

1

Alameda County, California

40

Butte County, California

3

Contra Costa County, California

12

El Dorado County, California

1

Fresno County, California

4

Humboldt County, California

3

Imperial County, California

2

Kern County, California

5

Kings County, California

1

Los Angeles County, California

2509

Marin County, California

10

Mendocino County, California

2

Merced County, California

1

Monterey County, California

4

Napa County, California

2

Nevada County, California

1

Orange County, California

259

Placer County, California

3

Riverside County, California

16

Sacramento County, California

5

San Bernardino County, California

38

San Diego County, California

82

San Francisco County, California

116

San Joaquin County, California

2

San Luis Obispo County, California

8

San Mateo County, California

8

Santa Barbara County, California

3

Santa Clara County, California

16

Santa Cruz County, California

6

Shasta County, California

1

Siskiyou County, California

1

Solano County, California

3

Sonoma County, California

10

Stanislaus County, California

2

Sutter County, California

1

Ventura County, California

12

Yolo County, California

3

Yuba County, California

1

Unknown Or Undefined, California

14

Adams County, Colorado

1

Arapahoe County, Colorado

6

Boulder County, Colorado

7

Delta County, Colorado

1

Denver County, Colorado

9

Douglas County, Colorado

1

Eagle County, Colorado

1

El Paso County, Colorado

8

Garfield County, Colorado

1

Jefferson County, Colorado

2

Lake County, Colorado

1

La Plata County, Colorado

2

Larimer County, Colorado

1

Mesa County, Colorado

5

Montrose County, Colorado

2

Park County, Colorado

1

Pitkin County, Colorado

1

Routt County, Colorado

1

Summit County, Colorado

1

Weld County, Colorado

2

Fairfield County, Connecticut

2

Hartford County, Connecticut

7

Litchfield County, Connecticut

1

Middlesex County, Connecticut

1

New Haven County, Connecticut

7

New London County, Connecticut

1

Notes:
1) Annual average establishment counts are rounded calculations. The sum of counties' annual average establishments will not exactly match the nation's annual average establishments because the prior is a sum of averages while the later is an average of sums.
2) The counties with an annual average of zero reported at least one establishment in one quarter during 2010. If the county is not listed, no establishments were reported in that county at any point in 2010.
 

Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages

Where in the United States is Apparel Made?

The apparel manufacturing industry includes a diverse range of establishments manufacturing full lines of ready-to-wear and custom apparel; apparel contractors, performing cutting or sewing operations on materials owned by others; and tailors, manufacturing custom garments for individual clients. Knitting, when done alone, is classified in the textile mills subsector, but when knitting is combined with the production of complete garments, the activity is classified in the apparel manufacturing industry.

In 2010, there were 7,855 private business establishments in the apparel manufacturing industry, employing 157,587 workers—compared with 15,478 establishments and 426,027 workers in 2001. In 2010, only two U.S. counties had more than 500 business establishments—Los Angeles county, California (2,509) and New York county, New York (803).

Average size of establishment, selected apparel manufacturing industries, 2001-2010
Average size of establishment, selected apparel manufacturing industries, 2001-2010
Average size of establishment, selected apparel manufacturing industries, 2001–2010
YearApparel manufacturingMen's and boys' cut and sew apparel manufacturingWomen's and girls' cut and sew apparel manufacturingMen's and boys' apparel contractorsWomen's, girls', infants' apparel contractors

2001

27.545.924.227.816.6

2002

25.041.323.324.314.8

2003

23.137.722.221.813.7

2004

23.037.522.318.314.3

2005

22.937.023.116.314.4

2006

21.835.923.015.413.9

2007

22.534.424.817.413.5

2008

22.033.926.018.013.1

2009

20.131.224.716.611.5

2010

20.131.325.515.311.7
Average size of establishment, selected retail trade industries, 2001–2010
YearClothing storesMen's clothing storesWomen's clothing storesFamily clothing storesShoe stores

2001

12.89.610.125.37.4

2002

12.99.410.325.07.2

2003

12.89.510.423.57.4

2004

13.49.610.825.27.4

2005

13.710.110.825.67.6

2006

13.610.610.923.68.0

2007

13.610.210.923.48.2

2008

13.29.710.722.08.1

2009

12.38.310.320.18.0

2010

12.78.510.620.68.3

Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages

Establishment Size - Manufacturing

The average size of establishments (the number of employees at a typical workplace such as a factory or store) has declined in most apparel manufacturing industries in recent years, while it generally remained little changed in fashion-related retail trade industries.

In apparel manufacturing, the average number of employees per establishment declined from 28 to 20 over the 2001–2010 period, though it stayed about the same in women's and girls' cut and sew apparel manufacturing.

Average size of establishment, selected retail industries, 2001-2010
Average size of establishment, selected retail industries, 2001-2010
Average size of establishment, selected retail trade industries, 2001–2010
YearClothing storesMen's clothing storesWomen's clothing storesFamily clothing storesShoe stores

2001

12.89.610.125.37.4

2002

12.99.410.325.07.2

2003

12.89.510.423.57.4

2004

13.49.610.825.27.4

2005

13.710.110.825.67.6

2006

13.610.610.923.68.0

2007

13.610.210.923.48.2

2008

13.29.710.722.08.1

2009

12.38.310.320.18.0

2010

12.78.510.620.68.3

Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages

Establishment Size - Retail Trade

The average number of employees per establishment in clothing stores stayed near 13 during the 2001–2010 period, though it decreased from 25 to 21 in family clothing stores.

Nonfarm payroll employment, fashion-related wholesale and retail trade industries, annual averages, 1990–2011
YearIndustry
Wholesale tradeRetail trade
JewelryMen's and boy's clothingWomen's and children's clothingCosmetic and beauty supply storesMen's clothing storesWomen's clothing storesChildren's and infants' clothing storesFamily clothing storesClothing accessories storiesOther closing storesShoe storesJewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores

1990

41,50032,00067,00060,90094,200360,30034,900273,70037,900129,300215,900166,900

1991

41,20032,30065,10062,30087,000341,80033,900277,80037,200130,200205,400162,400

1992

41,10033,80067,00063,00084,000327,40034,500280,20037,300129,500202,000154,200

1993

41,80035,20065,50064,20082,600317,90034,500294,40038,800132,300206,200153,300

1994

41,80036,20068,10069,50083,300303,00037,200308,30039,600134,600200,900154,700

1995

41,60038,50070,60073,70081,000289,40040,600308,40038,900134,000197,500156,600

1996

41,20037,90070,10076,50078,200263,40040,900316,30037,700131,200195,800157,300

1997

42,10038,60071,00081,30077,500250,90041,100330,50038,300133,200201,300163,100

1998

42,80038,90070,10084,30078,400242,60045,100361,20038,500128,600209,400164,800

1999

44,90039,30069,70085,00077,000248,20053,000398,00037,800118,100201,800172,600

2000

45,70039,20067,10087,80078,600246,00057,000416,60039,600115,800192,900175,200

2001

43,50036,70064,50094,00077,900242,10057,000422,80039,400115,300191,200175,400

2002

44,40035,70063,00093,40075,400243,80060,900427,70039,100113,500182,500169,700

2003

45,50034,70062,80097,50073,800243,40060,600423,80038,900115,700179,300169,000

2004

43,80032,30062,10099,60074,300255,70061,100461,30042,800118,400181,500169,100

2005

44,50031,80063,00097,60075,200262,40064,700503,20044,800115,800179,700168,600

2006

43,90031,00067,00094,90078,800270,50073,000514,70047,200117,000183,400166,200

2007

44,10031,70068,00099,10076,200288,50072,000539,80049,900120,700188,500164,300

2008

43,40030,70065,40099,20067,800288,40073,500525,90052,300113,500188,300158,400

2009

39,80027,50061,10098,40057,100275,90072,200485,80051,800104,800178,800137,400

2010

39,30026,20063,100102,90055,100279,10073,400470,10053,600108,500181,500131,200

2011

42,60026,40064,400111,00056,100285,10076,300446,70059,500117,500183,200131,700

Source: Current Employment Statistics

Wholesale and Retail Trade Employment

From 1990 to 2011, within the wholesale trade industry, employment in industries such as jewelry and women's and children's clothing experienced little or no change. However, over that period, employment in the men's and boy's clothing industry decreased 17.5 percent—from 32,000 jobs in 1990 to 26,400 jobs in 2011.

Within the retail trade industry, employment in men's and women's clothing stores, shoe stores, and jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores decreased from 1990 to 2011. In contrast, industries such as children's and infant's clothing (118.6 percent), cosmetic and beauty supply stores (82.3 percent), family clothing (63.2 percent), and clothing accessories stores (57.0 percent) all experienced an increase in employment from 1990 to 2011. From 1990 to 2007, employment in family clothing stores increased from 273,700 jobs to 539,800 jobs, or 97.2 percent. Since 2007, the family clothing stores industry has lost 93,100 jobs, or 17.2 percent.

Employment and wages for selected fashion-related occupations, May 2011
Employment and wages for selected fashion-related occupations, May 2011
Employment and wages for selected fashion-related occupations, May 2011
OccupationEmploymentMean annual wages

Sewing machine operators

142,860$23,080

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials

52,79020,530

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders

27,40026,460

Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers

25,53028,800

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders

21,16026,760

Fashion designers

16,01073,930

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other

13,98028,850

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders

11,87024,980

Fabric and apparel patternmakers

6,41044,650

Sewers, hand

5,46025,590

Shoe and leather workers and repairers

5,36025,680

Source: Occupational Employment Statistics

Fashion-related Occupations: Employment and Wages

In 2010, earnings in many occupations associated with apparel manufacturing were typically lower than the average for all occupations ($45,230). Among these occupations, fabric and apparel patternmakers—who use computer-aided design (CAD) software to determine the best layout of pattern pieces to minimize waste of material and to create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes—earned an annual mean wage of $44,650. There were a total of 6,410 fabric and apparel patternmakers employed in 2010. Occupations such as textile and garment pressers, sewing machine operators, hand sewers, shoe and leather workers and repairers, and textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders earned a mean annual wage that was more than $15,000 below the average for all occupations. In 2010, sewing machine operators, with 142,860 workers, was the largest of these occupations.

Fashion designers earned an annual mean wage of $73,930 in 2010, over $25,000 more than the average for all occupations. There were a total of 16,010 fashion designers employed in 2010.

Employment of fashion designers, by state, May 2011
Employment of fashion designers, by state, May 2011
Employment of fashion designers, by state, May 2011
StateEmployment

Alabama

40

Alaska

(1)

Arizona

(1)

Arkansas

(1)

California

4,480

Colorado

80

Connecticut

(1)

Delaware

(1)

District of Columbia

(1)

Florida

260

Georgia

130

Hawaii

30

Idaho

(1)

Illinois

110

Indiana

(1)

Iowa

(1)

Kansas

30

Kentucky

(1)

Louisiana

(1)

Maine

50

Maryland

100

Massachusetts

170

Michigan

30

Minnesota

60

Mississippi

(1)

Missouri

120

Montana

(1)

Nebraska

(1)

Nevada

(1)

New Hampshire

50

New Jersey

460

New Mexico

(1)

New York

(1)

North Carolina

110

North Dakota

(1)

Ohio

380

Oklahoma

(1)

Oregon

100

Pennsylvania

170

Rhode Island

(1)

South Carolina

80

South Dakota

(1)

Tennessee

40

Texas

410

Utah

40

Vermont

(1)

Virginia

30

Washington

300

West Virginia

(1)

Wisconsin

170

Wyoming

(1)

Footnotes:
(1) Data not available.
 

Source: Occupational Employment Statistics

Fashion Designers - Employment

Fashion designers create original or exclusive custom-fitted clothing (e.g. haute couture), accessories, and footwear. In doing so, they must know how to sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and give instructions on how to make the products they design. Fashion designers work in wholesale or manufacturing establishments, apparel companies, retailers, theater or dance companies, and design firms.

Within the United States, most fashion designers work in large cities, such as New York or Los Angeles. In May 2010, almost 75 percent of all salaried fashion designers worked in New York and California. California led the nation, with a total of 4,480 employed fashion designers.

Annual mean wage of fashion designers, by state, May 2011
Annual mean wage of fashion designers, by state, May 2011
Annual mean wage of fashion designers, by state, May 2011
StateAnnual mean wage

Alabama

$45,760

Alaska

(1)

Arizona

(1)

Arkansas

68,690

California

72,910

Colorado

66,420

Connecticut

(1)

Delaware

(1)

District of Columbia

(1)

Florida

63,410

Georgia

64,760

Hawaii

54,610

Idaho

(1)

Illinois

61,340

Indiana

(1)

Iowa

(1)

Kansas

63,190

Kentucky

(1)

Louisiana

(1)

Maine

80,650

Maryland

61,400

Massachusetts

57,370

Michigan

60,580

Minnesota

64,680

Mississippi

(1)

Missouri

62,120

Montana

(1)

Nebraska

(1)

Nevada

(1)

New Hampshire

71,060

New Jersey

67,220

New Mexico

(1)

New York

80,650

North Carolina

56,580

North Dakota

(1)

Ohio

70,810

Oklahoma

(1)

Oregon

61,490

Pennsylvania

57,220

Rhode Island

(1)

South Carolina

48,880

South Dakota

(1)

Tennessee

62,520

Texas

55,310

Utah

51,730

Vermont

(1)

Virginia

44,100

Washington

64,710

West Virginia

(1)

Wisconsin

71,960

Wyoming

(1)

Footnotes:
(1) Data not available
 

Source: Occupational Employment Statistics

Fashion Designers - Annual Mean Wage

Across the country, the mean annual wage earned by fashion designers ranged from $44,100 for those employed in Virginia to $80,650 for those employed in Maine and New York.

Location quotient of fashion designers, by state, May 2011
Location quotient of fashion designers, by state, May 2011
Location quotient of fashion designers, by state, May 2011
StateLocation quotient

Alabama

0.18

Alaska

(1)

Arizona

(1)

Arkansas

(1)

California

2.56

Colorado

0.29

Connecticut

(1)

Delaware

(1)

District of Columbia

(1)

Florida

0.29

Georgia

0.28

Hawaii

0.45

Idaho

(1)

Illinois

0.15

Indiana

(1)

Iowa

(1)

Kansas

0.19

Kentucky

(1)

Louisiana

(1)

Maine

0.72

Maryland

0.33

Massachusetts

0.44

Michigan

0.07

Minnesota

0.18

Mississippi

(1)

Missouri

0.37

Montana

(1)

Nebraska

(1)

Nevada

(1)

New Hampshire

0.63

New Jersey

0.98

New Mexico

(1)

New York

(1)

North Carolina

0.23

North Dakota

(1)

Ohio

0.62

Oklahoma

(1)

Oregon

0.52

Pennsylvania

0.25

Rhode Island

(1)

South Carolina

0.37

South Dakota

(1)

Tennessee

0.12

Texas

0.32

Utah

0.25

Vermont

(1)

Virginia

0.08

Washington

0.87

West Virginia

(1)

Wisconsin

0.52

Wyoming

(1)

Footnotes:
(1) Data not available.
 

Source: Occupational Employment Statistics

Fashion Designers - Location Quotient

Among all states, California had the highest concentration of fashion designers. In general, location quotients are ratios that compare the concentration of a resource or activity, such as employment, in a defined area to that of a larger area or base. For example, location quotients can be used to compare State employment by occupation to that of the nation.

Employment projections for fashion-related occupations,
Employment projections for fashion-related occupations,
Employment projections for fashion-related occupations, net and percent change in employment, 2010–2020 (projected)
OccupationNet change in employmentPercent change in employmentProjected level of employment in 2020

Fabric and apparel patternmakers

-2,100-35.63.9

Fashion designers

00.221.5

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials

-6,800-11.851.0

Sewers, hand

-600-5.49.8

Sewing machine operators

-42,100-25.8121.1

Shoe and leather workers and repairers

-1,400-13.68.8

Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers

9002.048.1

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders

-2,100-15.211.8

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders

-4,100-18.218.4

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders

-3,600-12.425.4

Source: Employment Projections

Fashion-related Occupations: Employment Outlook

In 2010, earnings in many occupations associated with apparel manufacturing were typically lower than the average for all occupations ($45,230). Among these occupations, fabric and apparel patternmakers—who use computer-aided design (CAD) software to determine the best layout of pattern pieces to minimize waste of material and to create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes—earned an annual mean wage of $44,650. There were a total of 6,410 fabric and apparel patternmakers employed in 2010. Occupations such as textile and garment pressers, sewing machine operators, hand sewers, shoe and leather workers and repairers, and textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders earned a mean annual wage that was more than $15,000 below the average for all occupations. In 2010, sewing machine operators, with 142,860 workers, was the largest of these occupations.

Fashion designers earned an annual mean wage of $73,930 in 2010, over $25,000 more than the average for all occupations. There were a total of 16,010 fashion designers employed in 2010.

Mass layoff events, fashion-related industries, 1996-2011
Mass layoff events, fashion-related industries, 1996-2011
Mass layoff events, fashion-related industires, 1996–2011
YearMass layoff events - apparelMass layoff events - textile millsMass layoff events - leather and allied productsLayoff events for apparel, textile mills, and leather and allied products (as a percentage of events in total nonfarm)

1996

7062281067.1

1997

6251531045.7

1998

605245946.0

1999

463218835.2

2000

424209764.4

2001

433352793.9

2002

346272483.2

2003

295245483.0

2004

220169422.6

2005

179160412.2

2006

128143262.0

2007

131146271.9

2008

149179221.6

2009

201195281.5

2010

134109171.3

2011

124182171.7

Source: Mass Layoff Statistics

Mass Layoffs

From 1996 to 2011, the U.S. apparel manufacturing industry experienced many job losses—averaging 323 mass layoff events per year. During that period, the largest number of mass layoff events occurred in 1996, when the apparel manufacturing industry initiated a total of 706—leading to the filing of 67,511 initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits.

From 1996 to 2011, textile mills averaged a total of 200 mass layoff events per year, while leather and allied product manufacturers averaged 54 events per year. In 1996, apparel, textile mill, and leather and allied product manufacturers initiated a total of 1,040 mass layoff events—representing 7.1 percent of all mass layoff events in nonfarm establishments.

A mass layoff event occurs when fifty or more initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits are filed against an employer during a 5-week period, regardless of the duration of the layoff.

Occupational injuries and illnesses related to the fashion industry, 2010
IndustryTotal recordable case rates (per 100 full-time workers)

Textile mills

3.3

Fiber, yarn, and thread mills

2.6

Yarn spinning mills

2.6

Yarn texturizing, throwing, and twisting mills

1.8

Thread mills

6.7

Fabric mills

3.5

Narrow fabric mills

2.9

Schiffli machine embroidery

5.2

Weft knit fabric mills

2.3

Other knit fabric and lace mills

4.3

Textile and fabric finishing and fabric coating mills

3.5

Broadwoven fabric finishing mills

2.7

Textile and fabric finishing (except broadwoven fabric) mills

2.4

Apparel manufacturing

3.0

Apparel knitting mills

2.8

Sheer hosiery mills

2.8

Other hosiery and sock mills

3.8

Cut and sew apparel manufacturing

2.8

Men's and boy's suit, coat, and overcoat manufacturing,

3.6

Men's and boy's work clothing manufacturing

2.7

Women's and girls' lingerie, loungewear, and nightwear manufacturing

7.5

Women's and girls' dress manufacturing

0.8

Women's and girls' other outerwear manufacturing

3.8

Apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing

5.4

Glove and mitten manufacturing

8.8

Other apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing

2.4

Leather and allied product manufacturing

5.0

Footwear manufacturing

5.6

Men's footwear (except athletic) manufacturing

7.6

Other footwear manufacturing

3.6

Other leather and allied product manufacturing

2.4

Luggage manufacturing

1.6

Women's handbag and purse manufacturing

3.9

All other leather good and allied product manufacturing

2.6

Clothing and clothing accessories stores

2.7

Clothing stores

3.0

Men's clothing stores

1.2

Women's clothing stores

3.7

Children's and infants' clothing stores

4.2

Family clothing stores

3.4

Other clothing stores

1.5

Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores

0.7

Source: Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities

Injury and Illness Rates

A comparison of fashion-related industries shows that the rate of injuries varied among industries in 2010. Employees in thread mills had a higher than average injury rate of 6.7 per 100 full-time workers, whereas employees in yarn texturizing, throwing, and twisting thread mills suffered fewer injuries and illnesses at 1.8 percent.

In apparel manufacturing, the injury and illness rates in glove and mitten manufacturing, at 8.8 percent, was the highest of all measured occupations related to the fashion industry. Men’s footwear (except athletic) manufacturing had a rate of 7.6 percent, compared with other footwear manufacturing at 3.6 percent.

This is an interactive chart. Click on the columns to go deeper into the category.

Output per hour in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987-2010
Output per hour in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987-2010
Output per hour in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987–2010
YearOutput per hour
ManufacturingTextile millsApparel manufacturingFootwear manufacturing

1987

100.0100.0100.0100.0

1988

102.1100.2100.3101.1

1989

103.1104.396.599.5

1990

105.4104.8100.9100.5

1991

108.1106.0102.596.5

1992

112.2111.3105.6107.8

1993

115.1115.3110.7106.5

1994

119.2121.6116.0116.0

1995

124.6123.9122.9123.2

1996

129.1126.6131.4131.3

1997

136.1135.8136.9128.5

1998

143.7138.9137.5130.4

1999

150.7144.6150.1151.0

2000

157.4144.2158.2160.1

2001

160.4149.3157.1171.9

2002

172.1167.1137.9129.4

2003

182.8185.7146.1137.0

2004

187.0188.8134.7142.3

2005

195.9205.3138.9149.9

2006

197.7204.3134.5158.3

2007

205.4210.293.0141.2

2008

204.4208.881.3167.5

2009

205.5208.074.3160.7

2010

219.1220.577.0185.6

Source: Labor Productivity and Costs

Productivity - Output Per Hour

Productivity, a key measure of efficiency, is the amount of output produced per hour of work. Labor productivity in the U.S. manufacturing sector more than doubled from 1987 to 2010. Labor productivity also more than doubled over that period in U.S. textile mills and nearly doubled in footwear manufacturing. Labor productivity in apparel manufacturing followed a different pattern; it grew at about the same rate as overall manufacturing productivity from 1987 to 2000 but generally declined from 2000 to 2010.

Real output in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987-2010
Real output in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987-2010
Real output in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987–2010
YearTotal output
ManufacturingTextile millsApparel manufacturingFootwear manufacturing

1987

100.0100.0100.0100.0

1988

105.298.998.998.6

1989

106.9101.094.892.6

1990

106.695.493.588.8

1991

104.795.894.678.6

1992

108.2101.697.584.8

1993

112.4106.399.981.9

1994

119.1112.4102.082.8

1995

125.3110.2102.076.5

1996

129.6106.199.069.9

1997

139.1113.497.863.7

1998

146.5111.590.955.7

1999

152.6107.986.157.5

2000

157.3104.081.454.6

2001

149.891.270.846.8

2002

149.392.553.331.8

2003

150.987.749.032.2

2004

153.582.440.730.2

2005

159.184.038.331.4

2006

161.775.135.531.5

2007

165.268.423.926.4

2008

157.958.318.329.6

2009

138.047.614.324.1

2010

147.252.114.325.3

Source: Labor Productivity and Costs

Productivity - Real Output

U.S. manufacturing output was nearly 50 percent higher in 2010 than in 1987 after adjusting for inflation, but real output in U.S. textile, apparel, and footwear manufacturing, declined substantially over the 1987–2010 period.

ours worked in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987-2010
ours worked in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987-2010
Hours worked in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987–2010
YearHours
ManufacturingTextile millsApparel manufacturingFootwear manufacturing

1987

100.0100.0100.0100.0

1988

103.098.698.697.5

1989

103.796.898.393.1

1990

101.191.092.688.3

1991

96.890.392.381.5

1992

96.491.392.378.7

1993

97.692.290.376.9

1994

99.992.587.971.4

1995

100.688.983.062.1

1996

100.483.875.353.2

1997

102.283.571.449.6

1998

101.980.366.142.7

1999

101.274.657.438.1

2000

99.972.151.534.1

2001

93.461.145.127.2

2002

86.855.338.724.6

2003

82.547.233.523.5

2004

82.143.730.221.2

2005

81.240.927.620.9

2006

81.836.726.419.9

2007

80.432.525.718.7

2008

77.227.922.517.7

2009

67.222.919.315.0

2010

67.223.618.613.6

Source: Labor Productivity and Costs

Productivity - Hours

The number of hours that U.S. manufacturing employees worked remained fairly steady from 1987 to 2000 and then declined by about one-third between 2000 and 2010. Hours worked in U.S. textile, apparel, and footwear manufacturing declined nearly continuously and much more sharply than overall manufacturing hours during the 1987–2010 period.

unit labor costs in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987-2010
unit labor costs in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987-2010
Unit labor costs in manufacturing and selected fashion-related manufacturing industries, 1987–2010
YearUnit labor costs
ManufacturingTextile millsApparel manufacturingFootwear manufacturing

1987

100.0100.0100.0100.0

1988

101.4103.6104.0103.6

1989

103.5105.3108.2109.0

1990

106.1108.8110.9112.4

1991

109.6108.4109.3115.3

1992

110.5112.3111.0110.0

1993

110.2110.0111.0116.2

1994

109.1110.6106.4113.2

1995

106.0112.3105.5116.9

1996

104.1114.0101.0120.6

1997

101.1102.199.9124.7

1998

101.7101.8101.6134.7

1999

101.2100.699.0126.6

2000

104.4102.797.4121.6

2001

106.3103.0100.8130.2

2002

104.696.9105.5151.0

2003

106.397.4104.6143.5

2004

104.895.6111.8148.5

2005

103.388.4105.0137.2

2006

104.592.2111.4125.9

2007

103.897.3148.6145.1

2008

108.7100.1176.1132.9

2009

113.199.6172.9142.9

2010

107.891.6168.7146.2

Source: Labor Productivity and Costs

Productivity - Unit Labor Costs

Unit labor costs describe the relationship between compensation and labor productivity. Increases in hourly compensation increase unit labor costs; increases in labor productivity lower unit labor costs. Unit labor costs in U.S. manufacturing have held fairly steady since the late 1980s, meaning that manufacturers generally have been able to offset increases in compensation costs with improved efficiency. Unit labor costs for U.S. textile manufacturers also have held fairly steady since the late 1980s, but unit labor costs in U.S. apparel and footwear manufacturing were substantially higher in 2010 than in 1987.

General - Apparel and related Consumer Price Indexes, 1978–2011
YearAll itemsApparelFootwearBoys' and girls' footwearInfants' and toddlers' apparel

1978

100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0

1979

111.3104.3108.0108.2102.1

1980

126.4111.7116.2119.5110.5

1981

139.4117.1122.4126.3120.0

1982

148.0120.1125.4127.2124.4

1983

152.8123.1126.3128.1130.6

1984

159.4125.4128.0130.1132.6

1985

165.0129.0129.5131.6138.5

1986

168.1130.1129.0131.1144.4

1987

174.2135.9133.0135.7144.8

1988

181.4141.8139.1142.8150.4

1989

190.2145.7144.8148.5153.9

1990

200.5152.5148.6154.2162.5

1991

208.9158.1153.0155.9166.5

1992

215.2162.0158.2157.2167.1

1993

221.6164.3159.4156.8164.2

1994

227.3163.9159.5161.4165.5

1995

233.7162.2158.7158.7164.3

1996

240.6161.8160.3165.7167.6

1997

246.2163.3161.5168.4166.7

1998

250.0163.4162.0168.9162.9

1999

255.5161.3159.1164.1166.7

2000

264.1159.2156.7158.4168.7

2001

271.6156.4155.7157.3166.9

2002

275.9152.3153.7151.7163.3

2003

282.2148.5151.4152.4157.8

2004

289.7147.9151.0152.4153.1

2005

299.5146.8155.2159.9150.8

2006

309.2146.8156.3158.5150.5

2007

318.0146.2154.9157.3147.2

2008

330.2146.1157.2163.9147.0

2009

329.0147.5160.6171.3147.9

2010

334.4146.8162.0170.4147.5

2011

345.0150.0162.6175.0146.7
Men - Apparel and related Consumer Price Indexes, 1978–2011
YearMen's and boys' apparelMen's apparelBoys' apparelMen's suits, sport coats, and outerwearMen's footwear

1978

100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0

1979

102.3101.5104.699.2109.6

1980

107.1106.1111.0101.2118.0

1981

112.8111.8116.6104.7124.1

1982

116.9116.2120.0107.2128.3

1983

120.1119.0124.4109.7129.9

1984

122.3121.3126.5111.2132.9

1985

125.7124.8129.5113.3135.5

1986

127.2126.4130.0116.3138.2

1987

130.7131.1128.4121.8143.0

1988

135.8136.5132.3126.6151.5

1989

140.1141.4133.5132.4156.8

1990

144.2146.2134.7138.3162.3

1991

148.7150.8139.2144.1168.1

1992

151.5153.3143.1144.6173.5

1993

152.7154.2145.4149.7173.0

1994

151.4153.2142.6149.6173.7

1995

151.1152.5144.6146.2175.2

1996

152.9155.0143.5146.7172.1

1997

155.8158.1145.4147.7172.2

1998

157.8160.2147.3149.9171.8

1999

157.0159.7145.1148.1168.8

2000

155.3158.1143.6145.5168.8

2001

150.5153.1139.6140.6163.8

2002

145.7149.3132.1140.7164.1

2003

141.3145.0126.8138.8157.4

2004

140.7144.2126.8137.3156.1

2005

139.0144.2119.9138.2158.1

2006

136.6142.3115.8132.8161.0

2007

134.6140.4113.3131.5157.6

2008

135.4140.6115.5132.1160.3

2009

136.1140.9117.7125.3164.8

2010

134.0139.5113.1127.2166.3

2011

137.4142.2118.6125.9168.4
Women - Apparel and related Consumer Price Indexes, 1978–2011
YearWomen's and girls' apparelWomen's apparelGirls' apparelWomen's footwear

1978

100.0100.0100.0100.0

1979

101.7101.8101.3106.4

1980

103.9103.6104.9112.9

1981

105.5104.9108.8118.5

1982

106.6106.0108.8122.3

1983

108.4108.0109.7122.4

1984

109.6109.5109.7122.6

1985

113.5113.6112.9123.5

1986

112.6112.6111.6120.6

1987

119.5119.6117.7123.6

1988

124.4124.4123.2127.9

1989

126.0125.8126.4133.4

1990

132.7132.6132.1135.4

1991

138.1137.6139.8140.3

1992

141.1140.3144.7146.5

1993

143.5143.1144.3149.3

1994

141.7141.3143.1147.4

1995

137.3136.7140.6146.1

1996

135.0134.1139.2148.1

1997

136.5136.0138.2149.3

1998

136.4136.4135.7150.7

1999

133.4133.4132.6148.7

2000

131.5131.5131.0146.4

2001

129.1129.3127.4148.0

2002

125.3125.2125.4145.7

2003

122.4122.0123.2144.9

2004

122.3122.2121.9144.9

2005

119.9120.6115.2149.2

2006

119.8121.4111.2150.3

2007

119.4120.9110.6149.9

2008

116.3117.9107.8150.0

2009

117.0118.6108.3151.0

2010

115.9118.1104.4153.4

2011

118.1120.1107.8151.4

Source: Consumer Price Index

Consumer Prices in the Apparel Industry

The Consumer Price Index for all items has risen at a much steeper rate than the indexes for apparel and shoes since 1978. Prices for apparel rose 62 percent from 1978 to 1998, declined somewhat through 2005, and have been fairly steady in recent years. Prices for footwear followed a similar pattern as apparel from 1978 to 2004, and footwear prices have increased somewhat more rapidly since 2004.

Consumer prices for men’s and boys’ apparel rose at somewhat faster rate than prices for women’s and girls’ apparel from 1978 to 1998. Prices for both categories declined somewhat through 2007 before leveling off in recent years. Prices for men’s and women’s footwear followed similar patterns as prices for apparel.

Consumer prices for infants’ and toddlers’ apparel rose about 69 percent from 1978 to 2000 and have generally declined since then.

Producer Price Index for selected industries, December 2003-March 2012
Producer Price Index for selected industries, December 2003-March 2012
Producer Price Index for selected industries, December 2003–April 2012
MonthCut and sew apparel manufacturingAccessories and other apparel manufacturingFootwear manufacturingFabric mills

Dec 2003

100.0100.0100.0100.0

Jan 2004

100.0100.399.9100.3

Feb 2004

99.9100.3100.1100.3

Mar 2004

100.0100.3100.2100.1

Apr 2004

100.1100.5100.1100.7

May 2004

100.2100.4100.0101.3

Jun 2004

99.8100.6100.0101.5

Jul 2004

99.8100.4100.1101.4

Aug 2004

99.9100.7100.1101.1

Sep 2004

100.4100.7100.2101.2

Oct 2004

100.5100.7100.2101.3

Nov 2004

100.7100.7100.3101.5

Dec 2004

100.8100.8100.3101.2

Jan 2005

100.6101.2100.3102.0

Feb 2005

100.4101.2100.9102.1

Mar 2005

99.9101.6100.9102.4

Apr 2005

99.8101.7100.9103.0

May 2005

100.0101.7101.0103.0

Jun 2005

100.3101.7101.1102.9

Jul 2005

100.2101.7101.4102.7

Aug 2005

100.3101.7101.3103.0

Sep 2005

100.8101.7101.4103.0

Oct 2005

100.2101.7101.5103.5

Nov 2005

100.0101.7101.6104.1

Dec 2005

100.0101.8101.5104.8

Jan 2006

100.2102.1101.9105.4

Feb 2006

100.3102.1101.9105.6

Mar 2006

100.4102.1101.9105.5

Apr 2006

100.5102.2102.0105.6

May 2006

100.6102.4102.1106.1

Jun 2006

100.5102.4102.1105.9

Jul 2006

100.5102.6102.2106.0

Aug 2006

100.8102.7102.3106.3

Sep 2006

100.7101.7102.4106.0

Oct 2006

101.1101.6102.4105.8

Nov 2006

101.1102.4102.4105.9

Dec 2006

101.0102.4102.4105.3

Jan 2007

101.7102.8102.5105.6

Feb 2007

101.8103.0102.6105.9

Mar 2007

101.7103.3103.0106.2

Apr 2007

101.9103.6103.3105.6

May 2007

101.7103.6103.3105.7

Jun 2007

101.6103.6103.3105.8

Jul 2007

101.7103.7103.3106.2

Aug 2007

101.8103.6103.3106.3

Sep 2007

101.5103.7103.7106.9

Oct 2007

101.6103.8103.6106.9

Nov 2007

101.7103.8103.3106.8

Dec 2007

101.7103.8104.5106.9

Jan 2008

101.9104.9105.1107.7

Feb 2008

101.8105.2105.2107.8

Mar 2008

102.0105.9105.3108.0

Apr 2008

102.2106.8105.5108.0

May 2008

102.0106.9105.5108.8

Jun 2008

102.0106.9106.1109.1

Jul 2008

102.2107.1106.6109.9

Aug 2008

102.3107.2106.8111.0

Sep 2008

102.6107.4108.0111.6

Oct 2008

103.1106.9107.2111.6

Nov 2008

103.1106.7107.2111.6

Dec 2008

103.2106.6107.4110.7

Jan 2009

103.5107.1107.7111.0

Feb 2009

103.4107.2107.5110.4

Mar 2009

103.4106.9107.6109.1

Apr 2009

103.5106.9107.7109.0

May 2009

103.3106.6107.7108.6

Jun 2009

103.3106.9107.7109.1

Jul 2009

103.2106.9107.7108.9

Aug 2009

103.4107.0107.8108.5

Sep 2009

103.6107.0107.8108.7

Oct 2009

103.7107.0108.0108.7

Nov 2009

103.7107.0108.0109.1

Dec 2009

103.7107.0108.0108.8

Jan 2010

103.5106.7108.5108.8

Feb 2010

103.4107.0108.4110.0

Mar 2010

103.4105.9107.9110.5

Apr 2010

103.6105.9108.0111.5

May 2010

103.4105.8108.1111.8

Jun 2010

103.4105.9108.5112.4

Jul 2010

103.4106.3108.5112.8

Aug 2010

103.5106.4109.0113.1

Sep 2010

103.0106.9109.2113.9

Oct 2010

102.8107.6109.5113.5

Nov 2010

102.8107.6109.6114.1

Dec 2010

102.9108.0109.4115.5

Jan 2011

103.1108.4110.1118.8

Feb 2011

103.8108.7110.3119.7

Mar 2011

103.8109.1110.5123.5

Apr 2011

104.1109.4110.8124.8

May 2011

104.9110.1110.9127.3

Jun 2011

105.0110.3110.8127.8

Jul 2011

105.5110.4112.7128.6

Aug 2011

105.4110.7112.8128.8

Sep 2011

106.0110.7112.9129.4

Oct 2011

105.8111.0113.0127.5

Nov 2011

105.8111.0113.1127.8

Dec 2011

105.8111.1113.1127.2

Jan 2012

106.1111.3113.8127.8

Feb 2012

106.2111.6114.5126.6

Mar 2012

106.2112.0117.2126.6

Apr 2012

106.4114.1118.1126.4

Source: Producer Price Index

Producer Prices in Apparel-related Industries

When shopping for clothing, shoes, and accessories in retail stores or over the Internet, a consumer’s first thought about price is most likely not about the price exchange that occurs before the item is available at the retail level, although that transaction heavily influences the price the consumer sees. While producer prices for selected fashion-related industries have trended higher since December 2003, the Producer Price Index (PPI) for fabric mills, a major component in textile-related production, increased significantly from October 2010 until September 2011. In comparison, producer price increases for other industries such as footwear manufacturing and for accessories and other apparel were more muted until December 2011, when their rates of increase started to accelerate.

Twelve-month percent change, Import indexes, selected NAICS industries, January 2007-March 2012
Twelve-month percent change, Import indexes, selected NAICS industries, January 2007-March 2012
Import price indexes, selected industries, December 2005–April 2012
MonthFabric millsApparel accessories and other apparel manufacturingFootwear manufacturing

Dec 2005

100.0100.0100.0

Jan 2006

99.399.199.9

Feb 2006

100.099.199.9

Mar 2006

99.799.199.9

Apr 2006

99.998.4100.0

May 2006

100.298.4100.0

Jun 2006

102.498.6100.2

Jul 2006

102.498.3100.3

Aug 2006

102.598.5100.3

Sep 2006

102.599.2100.4

Oct 2006

102.799.2100.4

Nov 2006

102.999.4100.4

Dec 2006

103.399.4100.4

Jan 2007

103.899.4100.6

Feb 2007

103.999.0100.6

Mar 2007

104.799.7100.6

Apr 2007

104.7100.1100.7

May 2007

104.9100.5100.7

Jun 2007

105.1100.7100.4

Jul 2007

105.5100.9101.1

Aug 2007

105.9101.1101.2

Sep 2007

105.9101.3101.2

Oct 2007

106.6102.2101.3

Nov 2007

106.8102.5101.6

Dec 2007

107.1104.5101.8

Jan 2008

107.9105.3102.1

Feb 2008

109.2105.7102.4

Mar 2008

109.3106.1102.5

Apr 2008

110.6107.0103.4

May 2008

111.5107.2103.8

Jun 2008

112.2107.4103.8

Jul 2008

112.6107.3104.5

Aug 2008

112.9107.0104.6

Sep 2008

111.9104.9104.4

Oct 2008

111.3107.1104.6

Nov 2008

110.2107.3104.9

Dec 2008

109.2108.0105.0

Jan 2009

111.2107.9106.8

Feb 2009

112.6107.5106.8

Mar 2009

112.2106.9106.8

Apr 2009

112.3107.7106.9

May 2009

112.3107.9106.8

Jun 2009

112.4108.5106.8

Jul 2009

113.1107.5106.2

Aug 2009

113.9107.6106.3

Sep 2009

114.8107.8106.2

Oct 2009

115.3107.8106.1

Nov 2009

115.6108.0106.0

Dec 2009

115.9108.0105.9

Jan 2010

116.1108.0105.6

Feb 2010

115.9108.0105.3

Mar 2010

115.7107.9104.8

Apr 2010

115.8107.6105.0

May 2010

116.3107.6105.2

Jun 2010

115.5107.4105.6

Jul 2010

114.9107.4106.5

Aug 2010

115.4107.3106.8

Sep 2010

115.5107.3107.1

Oct 2010

116.2107.8107.3

Nov 2010

116.2108.6107.4

Dec 2010

116.4108.8107.4

Jan 2011

119.5109.9107.9

Feb 2011

123.2110.0108.3

Mar 2011

124.2110.1108.6

Apr 2011

124.7110.8110.1

May 2011

127.1111.0110.9

Jun 2011

129.9112.5111.6

Jul 2011

130.9112.8112.5

Aug 2011

130.7113.0112.8

Sep 2011

132.7113.0112.8

Oct 2011

132.0113.0113.9

Nov 2011

132.2112.6114.9

Dec 2011

132.3112.7115.5

Jan 2012

134.3112.5116.6

Feb 2012

134.3113.1117.0

Mar 2012

134.7112.7117.1

Apr 2012

134.7113.6117.2

Source: Import/Export Price Indexes

Import Prices in Apparel-related Industries

Have you ever wondered about the journey your clothes, shoes, and accessories traveled before these items found a home in your closet? Chances are your wardrobe includes many import components from across the globe. From December 2010 to February 2011, import prices for fabric mill products increased sharply and have continued to increase. Import prices for apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing were higher than footwear manufacturing from September 2007 until October 2011, when footwear prices overtook apparel accessories and other apparel and have remained steady.

Apparel manufacturing, hourly compensation costs for all employees, U.S. dollars, 2002–2007
Country or Area200220032004200520062007

United States

$15.37$16.63$17.28$18.01$18.65$20.42

Argentina

1.261.552.042.392.743.20

Australia

13.3818.3922.4226.5829.8134.00

Austria

15.4318.0719.7120.8921.9924.81

Belgium

18.1822.6125.9427.3128.6031.87

Brazil

1.161.171.351.872.182.73

Canada

11.0712.6114.3214.9516.9118.53

Czech Republic

2.853.584.174.585.085.84

Finland

15.9818.2621.9522.8923.3326.87

France

18.3322.4625.3326.3327.7631.02

Germany

24.0529.7833.0233.1435.0439.32

Hungary

2.663.113.503.913.935.02

Israel

6.977.226.807.317.567.59

Italy

13.4917.4620.2421.0021.6724.29

Japan (1)

11.7713.2013.9114.2913.0812.70

Korea, Republic of

6.267.177.7710.5413.0114.09

Mexico

1.881.791.791.922.052.10

Philippines

0.610.620.660.710.810.88

Poland

2.342.552.773.213.544.24

Slovakia

2.082.683.123.363.674.76

Spain

8.3610.7112.5313.1613.5615.97

Taiwan

4.874.825.226.246.196.13

United Kingdom

15.0317.0419.7920.6122.9326.60

Footnotes:
(1) Excludes leather and fur gloves and mittens
 

Source: International Labor Comparisons

Compensation for U.S. and Foreign Apparel Manufacturers

In 2007, among those countries studied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Germany had the highest hourly compensation costs within the apparel manufacturing industry. The Philippines, with compensation costs at 88 cents per hour, had the lowest among those countries studied.

From 2006 to 2007, with the exception of Taiwan and Japan, hourly compensation costs increased in all countries studied—including the United States. From 2002 to 2007, Argentina and Australia experienced the largest increase in hourly compensation costs—increasing 154 percent. Over that period, Japan experienced the smallest increase in hourly compensation costs—from $11.77 per hour to $12.70 per hour, or 8 percent. Compensation costs for the United States increased from $15.37 per hour to $20.42 per hour, or 33 percent.

More BLS Data

Industries at a Glance data:

Apparel manufacturing | Clothing and clothing accessories stores | Leather and allied product manufacturing | Textile mills

 

Note: Data in text, charts, and tables are the latest available at the time of publication. Internet links may lead to more recent data.

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