Although there has been steady growth of the outdoor sportswear industry for over a decade, last year was a major leap for outdoor sportswear brands in Korea.
The so-called ‘Big 5’ brands reaped a total net revenue of 1.7 trillion won (US$1.5 billion), including the market leader North Face earning 530 billion won (US$490 millon), followed by Kolon Sport and K2, at 420 billion won (US$388 millon) each. Compared to 2009, the average growth rate was increased by 10 to 50 percent with an incredible 100 percent increase of a certain brand. What is more interesting is that the boom of the outdoor sportswear brands isn’t a bubble, but rather a long-term expansion. Therefore, it is critical to be aware of the reasons for the increased popularity of the outdoor fashion brands, and the prospects for the market.
