Fashion Retailers Welcome The Rise In Clothing Prices But The Industrys Recovery Remains Tenuous Dressing the kids to go back-to-school, not to mention yourself to get back-to-work, will cost more this year. Overall, the consumer price index for apparel rose 4.9% from June 2020 through June 2021. Childrens clothing prices rose even higher, up 5.5% for boys and 5.6% for girls. And new kids shoes will cost 5.7% more. While mens apparel prices have risen only 1.5% compared to womens 5.3% increase, prices for the most in-demand fashion items mens pants, womens dresses and outerwear have experienced the greatest bump. Men will pay 11.1% more for a new pair of pants and women will see a 15.8% jump in dress prices and 8.4% for a winter coat, according to government data. The prices for fashion that fit the casualization and athleisure wear trend have increased the most. That includes mens hoodies, sweaters, sweatshirts, sweatpants and t-shirts and for women, loungewear like cardigans, sweaters and sweatpants cost more. In footwear, both mens and womens boots are also more pricey. But prices for formal and office attire are going in the opposite direction, reports Editeds market analyst Kayla Marci. She says it reflects the continued importance of comfort and casualwear post-lockdown. In the U.S., dress trousers and suit jackets are at their lowest average price point in two years. With consumer demand strong so far fashion retailer sales rose 7.4% from January through June 2021 compared with 2019 to reach $130.9 billion and the second half of the year historically strongest for apparel sales, retailers anticipate the good times will keep on rolling. Esteemed industry insider Terry Lundgren, former executive chairman of Macys, expressed a widely held view in a recent CNBC interview. Following years of virtually nonexistent price increases, he believes the current modest rise in prices isnt a worry. This is not a big concern for apparel retailers, Lundgren said. Youre talking about a few dollars going up in price. Its not going to change the consumers mind in terms of purchasing. But just like fashion brands cant control consumer demand, only encourage it through marketing and promotion, they are not in control of the many factors that are causing their products to cost more.

1. What is meant by the demand for a product?

2. Identify and explain the factors that influence demand for new casualization and athleisure wear trend

3. What do you think is a complement and a substitute for new clothing?

4. The prices for fashion that fit the casualization and athleisure wear trend have increased the most. That includes mens hoodies, sweaters, sweatshirts, sweatpants and t-shirts and for women, loungewear like cardigans, sweaters and sweatpants cost more.

With the aid of a diagram, explain what would happen to quantity demanded for casualization and athleisure wear because of a change in price.

5. What factors would you expect to affect the price elasticity of demand for new casualization and athleisure wear trend?