3 min read
2024 Apparel Industry Pulse Study: What Advisors Need to Know
The industry has struggled to find consistency, but there are attractive long-term opportunities.
Key Takeaways
Consistent Same-Store Sales Growth Has Been Elusive
![Bar graph showing selected retailers’ sales from Q1 2021 to Q4 2023.](/content/cs-images/v3/assets/blt9415ea4cc4157833/blt0e919703cf5bf468/665f72c270d09b8664d636e8/Apparel_Retailers’_Sales.png?format=webp&auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=null)
The apparel industry has continued to struggle over the past two years.
A Stronger Recovery in Tourism Would Benefit Some Firms
![Bar graphs showing foreign visits and travel spending to and in the US from 2019 to 2024.](/content/cs-images/v3/assets/blt9415ea4cc4157833/blt7461ec16c5d14b18/665f72c23c52977fb3004858/Tourist_Visits.png?format=webp&auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=null)
Foreign visits to the US from all countries (except Canada and Mexico) are gradually approaching prepandemic levels while monthly spending by tourists to the US has nearly recovered.
Apparel Stocks Remain Undervalued in Relation to Our Fair Value Estimates
![Graphs showing Morningstar star rating for apparel stocks and the proportion of 4- and 5-Star apparel stocks.](/content/cs-images/v3/assets/blt9415ea4cc4157833/blteae3d9e1e524c348/665f72c238df32d4436194c1/Morningstar_Star_Rating.png?format=webp&auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=null)
About half of apparel stocks are presently trading at 4- or 5- stars and the percentage of apparel stocks in 4- or 5-star territory has changed little over the past year.