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Sportswear Is Set for an Epic Showdown in 2025

The battle between challenger brands and incumbents is only set to intensify, pushing each camp to develop more innovative products and devise creative new ways to reach shoppers and tell their stories, according to the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2025.
Cover of Sportswear Showdown
Sportswear brands are diversifying into sports such as tennis to gain reach and credibility. (Shi Tang/Getty Images)
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In 2024, challenger sportswear players — such as Deckers (owner of Hoka) and Asics — are expected to create over 50 percent of the segment’s value, surpassing incumbent sportswear brands known as the “Big Four” (Nike, Adidas, Puma and Under Armour) in economic profit for the first time, according to the McKinsey Global Fashion Index.

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Further Reading

The State of Fashion 2025: Challenges at Every Turn

The ninth annual State of Fashion report by McKinsey & Company and BoF Insights, The Business of Fashion’s data and advisory team, reveals that economic and geopolitical challenges, combined with shifts in customer values, will define a turbulent year ahead. Download the full report to understand the 10 themes that will shape the industry and the opportunities for growth in 2025.

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