Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €24.4bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Wholesalers suffer from the weak consumer climate and excess stock
- According to the market research company GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions, the consumer climate indicator for October 2025 rose by 1.2 points compared to the previous month to minus 22.3 points. The indicator had previously fallen three times in a row. However, the prospects for an upturn are currently uncertain, as ongoing geopolitical tensions and a high unemployment rate are weighing on the economy.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The demand for second-hand fashion will continue to increase
- The market for buying and selling second-hand fashion items will continue to grow in importance in the future. According to PwC's New Generation Circular Fashion Survey from 2024, 70% of 18 to 43-year-olds have already purchased second-hand products, compared to 51% in 2023. According to the PwC study from 2023, the volume of the second-hand fashion market in Germany will increase from around 3.5 billion euros in 2022 to more than 5 billion euros by 2025.
Biggest companies in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (€m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Adidas AG | 1,617.4 | |
Bestseller Textilhandels GmbH | 831.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Outerwear, Shoes and Laundry. Outerwear is the largest segment of the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling in Germany.
Trends and Insights
The largest share of sales is generated with outerwear
- Outerwear is a collective term for items of clothing that are worn over underwear. Outerwear includes tops such as shirts, jumpers, sweatshirts, T-shirts and blouses, as well as trousers and skirts. Dresses, jackets, suits and sportswear are also considered outerwear.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This sector includes the wholesale of all types of clothing and shoes. This also includes workwear and clothing accessories such as belts, gloves and ties as well as furs, umbrellas and pieces. However, the wholesale trade in leather goods and special sports shoes such as ski boots is not part of the industry.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany include Outerwear, Shoes and Laundry.Companies
Companies covered in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany include Adidas AG and Bestseller Textilhandels GmbH.Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany include fast fashion, fair fashion, verticalisation and influencer.Industry Code
WZ 46.42 - Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Wholesalers for clothing and shoes are under considerable pressure due to a weak consumer climate and excessive stock levels. The continuing reluctance of end consumers to sp...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Outerwear accounts for around half of the sector's sales. Shoes are generally bought less frequently, which is why their share of sales is lower.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The centre region has the highest proportion of clothing wholesalers. The high population density results in a high density of retail outlets.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Due to the fragmented market, competition within the industry is intense. Industry players compete primarily on the basis of sales prices, product range, company size, market...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
There are almost no major players in the wholesale clothing and footwear sector. The industry mainly consists of small and medium-sized companies with mostly a small number o...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Adidas AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Bestseller Textilhandels GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Adidas AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Bestseller Textilhandels GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The industry has to comply with a number of regulations to improve sustainability. These include the Packaging Act, which aims to increase the proportion of recyclable packag...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Digitalisation is intensifying competition in clothing and shoe wholesale, while at the same time leading to an increase in costs instead of an increase in profits. Automated...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany in 2026?
The market size of the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany is €24.4bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany in 2026?
There are 2,004 businesses in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 5.6 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany?
The Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany?
The Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 3.5 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany are Adidas AG and Bestseller Textilhandels GmbH
What does the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany include?
Outerwear and Shoes are part of the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany is Adidas AG.
How competitive is the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling industry in Germany.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
