Global Household Textiles Industry
The global bed and bath textile furnishings industry is expected to reach almost $28 billion by 2015, according to Global Industry Analysts. The market is fuelled by residential construction and a trend towards home decoration that sees consumers get increasingly involved in changing their homes to suit their tastes. Demand is not exclusively from private consumers but also other establishments, such as hotels and hospitals. Demand for original, colorful bed furnishing in emerging markets like Latin America and Asia-Pacific is also driving the market.
Bedding product purchases are mainly determined by price, followed by color and the materials used. The EU is the market’s leading region in terms of share, followed by the US. Key bed linen suppliers to the EU region include Pakistan, India, China and Bangladesh. The US sources much of its home textiles from Pakistan.
Household textiles cover a range of products for the home such as dishcloths, quilts, bed linens and table linens. Carpets, pillows, cushions and blinds are classed as soft furnishings. Heavier materials like canvas are used to make tents, flags, car covers, blinds and machine covers, which are also considered household textiles.
Green Trend
As in many other consumer segments, shoppers are increasingly aware of damage caused to the environment by modern living. Consumers are demanding eco-friendly products in several domains, including household textiles. Organically grown fibers and recyclable materials are being favored over non-recyclables, and manufacturers are limiting toxic chemicals used, cutting down on water and energy consumption. Sustainability is becoming a major concern in the industry as a whole, with consumers and companies alike working toward environmentally friendly practices and products.
The global organic cotton market is expected to hit almost $20 billion by 2015, according to Global Industry Analysts. The market is driven by environmentally conscious consumers and the perception of cotton as a fashionable product. Organic cotton is produced without using pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Over 85% of the world’s cotton production is concentrated in Turkey, Syria and India. Many large home stores are carrying organic cotton, rather than the traditional channels of distribution such as health stores, online purchasing and organic textile shops, which were used to sell organic cotton when it was still considered a niche product.
Key Market Products
- World flooring and carpets demand is expected to grow at a yearly rate of 5% through 2014, bringing the market to almost 15.5 billion square meters, reports Freedonia. Product sales are expected to grow more rapidly, at almost 7% a year to reach almost $205 billion in 2014, mainly due to higher average floor covering prices. The market is driven by residential construction activity and the fastest acceleration in demand will be seen in North America, which will record sales gains through 2014 due to a rebound in US residential construction spending.
- The world bed furnishings market is a major segment of the global household textiles industry. Bed linens represent a majority share in mature markets such as the EU and the US. Demand and growth in the bed furnishings market is expected to accelerate at a faster rate than the bath furnishing market through 2015.
Regional Market Leadership
India’s textile market represents over 10% of the country’s industrial production, around 15% of its manufacturing activity, and contributes almost 5% to the nation’s gross domestic product, reports the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry. The industry contributes more than 10% to India’s total export earnings and employs more than 35 million people, bested only by agriculture.
India is also the world’s second-largest cellulosic fibers, cotton and silk producing nation, contributing almost 20% to global raw silk production. India produces 45 million kilograms of raw wool annually, representing over 3% of global wool production. It is also the fourth-largest man-made fibers producer in the world.
Market Outlook
The global household textiles market will continue to expand thanks to a rising world population and increasing global gross domestic product. Demand from emerging nations will also drive the market as developing countries’ per capita textile consumption comes a pace with demand in developed nations. New demand will also come from innovative textiles applications.
Demand for higher-priced beds made of materials – such as memory foam, silk, lamb’s wool, latex and cashmere – will grow in the northern regions, reports Global Industry Analysts. Consumers will be opting for luxury bedding boasting a higher degree of comfort.
Leading Industry Associations
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