The smart clothing market in MEA is expected to grow from US$ 74.79 million in 2019 to US$ 455.68 million by 2027; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 25.7% from 2020 to 2027.
Designer brands and well-known clothing manufacturers are teaming up with major technological giants to create new smart wearables. Research and development in clothes has resulted in apparels that illuminate or change colors in certain conditions, or display real-time text or emoticons associated with the user's mood. New designers are now applying their creativity to take an advantage of these possibilities to develop the future fashion. Major sports and fitness apparel manufacturers making a few use cases or pilot projects, for instance, Nike is cooperating with Google to launch gym shoes that can track real-time footprints using Google Earth. The above mentioned initiatives and product developments have paved way for the rise in the demand for smart textiles, which is expected to drive the MEA smart clothing market growth during 2020–2027. The wide acceptance of smart clothing in fashion industry is among the other factors expected to positively influence the demand for smart clothing.
The technology industry is one of the victims of COVID-19, and since the start of 2020, this industry has been reflecting the declining trend. With the imposition of lockdown across the MEA region, the trades have been witnessing a decline. This is because the critical smart clothing purchasing countries have been restricting their investment on these components and are utilizing a fair percentage of their budget to combat COVID-19. The temporary shutdown of manufacturing facilities is also showcasing a negative trend in the MEA smart clothing market.
Based on product, the apparel segment led the MEA smart clothing market in 2019. Ever-changing human nature is a major reason for the continuously updating clothing choices and taste. Technology has started directing the apparel and textile industry, and it is expected to make the manufacture of apparel products more efficient and independent. Wearable technology brands and wearable technology startups are at the forefront of electronic/IT innovations in smart apparel. Also, IT expertise and vibrant startup ecosystems allow the startups to take a lead in electronically embedded/IT-enabled smart apparel. The medical (monitoring the biometrics of patients) and sports (understanding athlete's physiology) industries hold prime potential for smart clothing providers. Large numbers of firms are focused on launching innovative workout apparel. For example, Under Armour has come up with smart garments that allow body relaxation during sleep after a heavy workout, which is fueling the growth of the MEA smart clothing market.
The overall MEA smart clothing market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. The process also serves the purpose of obtaining overview and forecast for the MEA smart clothing market with respect to all the segments pertaining to the region. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data, as well as to gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants who typically take part in such a process include industry experts, such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, along with external consultants, such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders specializing in the MEA smart clothing market. Key players operating in the MEA smart clothing market include CUTECIRCUIT; Myontec Ltd; Under Armour, Inc.; Jabil Inc.; and Google LLC.