RAG TRADE SLOW
By Adnews Staff
Canadian clothing sales dropped 4.7% in the first nine months of 1995, according to Canadian Apparel Market Monitor. The biggest drop was among women 16 to 24; they spent 18% less than in 1994. Sales to women aged 55 to 64 actually increased 6%. Overall, women's clothing sales fell 7.3%. Men's declined 2% and children's were down .06%. Among indiviual items, bras were up; sales increased11%. Outerwear fell 22% and fleece activewear, skirts, blazers and suits all dropped 7 to 8%. One of the reasons seen for the decline in sales is that the biggest group of consumers is aging and older people tend to spend less on clothing than younger people. Also, with incomes staying flat and expenses rsing, women are now tending to put off buying clothes. Shopping is no longer a leisure activity. Added to all this, dress codes have been relaxed at work.