Bridalwear
UK Market Report 2010
Market Research Report

Bridalwear UK Market Report 2010 Market Research Report

This Key Note Market Report examines the UK bridalwear market, focusing on the 2005 to 2009 period, and forecasting for the 2010 to 2014 period. Key Note has consulted a number of spokespeople within the bridalwear industry (including designers and trade association representatives), and their expert opinions and trade statistics are presented throughout the report.

Key Note estimates that the total UK bridalwear retail market was worth £105.3m in 2009 - a fall of 12.8% compared with 2005. A particularly steep decline was seen in the value of the market in 2009 - a drop of 12.3% compared with 2008 - as the UK recession took hold. Previous to this, the market suffered a decline of 3.1% in 2006, and saw slow growth rates of 2.6% and 0.2% in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Any deterioration in value over recent years has been wholly related to the large decline in the number of weddings (from 317,707 in 2005 to 272,293 in 2009), as the average cost of a bridal gown actually increased by 7.2% over the review period.

For the purposes of this report, the market is divided into two main sectors: manufacturing and retail. It is the retail side where the recession may have been more keenly felt in 2009, driving some companies out of business. However, according to many commentators, this side of the industry is oversupplied, and it will always be the less experienced businesses that fail during periods of economic difficulty.

UK designers at the high end of the market serve a well-heeled niche and are relatively recession-proof. It is in the midmarket - where brides spend between £800 and £1,200 on their dresses - where there is most competition.It is here that brides might look to save money and the industry has noted a trend for brides to shop around until they find the dress they want at the most reasonable price. However, this trend has two negative impacts: the inclination for bridal shops to undercut; and the willingness of Chinese manufacturers to sell directly to brides via the Internet, even infringing established designers' copyright to provide the bride with the dress of her dreams.

The bridalwear industry is relatively stable. The declining number of weddings each year has prompted designers to expand their ranges into promwear (as proms begin to take over the traditional school disco for school leavers), occasion wear and mother-of-the-bride (MOB) outfits, in order to appeal to a wider market of women also interested in high-design and good-quality dressing.

Key Note forecasts that the UK bridalwear retail market will continue to decline in value between 2010 and 2014, with a particularly large drop of 4.7% expected in 2010 as an after-effect of the recession. Overall, the number of weddings is forecast to decrease by 3.5% between 2010 and 2014, and the value of the market is expected to decline by 3.4% over the same period.

• Executive Summary
• 1. Market Definition
  • Report Coverage
  • Market Sectors
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail
  • Market Trends
  • Effect of Recession on Number of Weddings and Unemployment
  • Table 1.1: Number of Weddings and Number of People Claiming Unemployment
  • Benefits in England and Wales, 1974-1979
  • Table 1.2: Number of Weddings and Number of People Claiming Unemployment
  • Benefits in England and Wales, 1981-1984
  • Table 1.3: Number of Weddings and Number of People Claiming Unemployment
  • Benefits in England and Wales, 2001-2004
  • Internet Shopping
  • Wedding Costs Continue to Rise
  • Weddings in Approved Premises Increase
  • Table 1.4: Number of Weddings in England and Wales by Manner of Wedding
  • Solemnisation, 2003-2007
  • Figure 1.1: Number of Weddings in England and Wales by Manner of Wedding
  • Solemnisation, 2003-2007
  • "i Will, but Later Rather than Sooner"
  • Table 1.5: Average Age of Bride at First Marriage
  • in England and Wales, 2003-2007
  • Table 1.6: Women Marrying for The First Time in England
  • and Wales by Selected Age Band, 2003-2007
  • Sunshine Weddings
  • Celebrity Weddings
  • Shorter Lead times, Lower Margins
  • Fashion Trends
  • Bridal Blogs
  • Economic Trends
  • Population
  • Table 1.7: UK Resident Population Estimates by Sex (000), Mid-Years 2004-2008
  • Gross Domestic Product
  • Table 1.8: UK Gross Domestic Product at Current
  • and Annual Chain-Linked Prices (£m), 2004-2008
  • Inflation
  • Table 1.9: UK Rate of Inflation (%), 2004-2008
  • Unemployment
  • Table 1.10: Actual Number of Unemployed Persons
  • in The UK (Million), 2004-2008
  • Household Disposable Income
  • Table 1.11: UK Household Disposable Income per Capita (£), 2004-2008
  • Market Position
  • The UK
  • Overseas
• 2. Market Size
  • The Total Market
  • by Volume
  • England and Wales
  • Table 2.1: Number of Weddings in England and Wales, 2003-2007
  • Scotland
  • Table 2.2: Number of Weddings in Scotland, 2003-2007
  • Northern Ireland
  • Table 2.3: Number of Weddings in Northern Ireland, 2004-2008
  • The UK
  • Table 2.4: Number of Weddings in The UK, 2005-2009
  • Cohabiting Couples
  • Table 2.5: Proportion of The Population in Cohabiting Relationships in England and Wales by Age Group and Sex (%), 1992 and 2007 by Value
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail
  • Table 2.6: The Total UK Bridalwear Retail Market by Volume and Value at Current
  • Prices (Number, £ and £m), 2005-2009
  • Overseas Trade
  • General Overview
• 3. Industry Background
  • Recent History
  • The Recession
  • Bridal Shops Going Bust
  • Counterfeiting
  • Industry Synopsis
  • Number of Companies and Employment
  • Regional Variations in The Marketplace
  • Distribution
  • How Robust Is The Market?
  • Legislation
  • Key Trade Associations
  • Bridal Industry Suppliers Association
  • British Bridalwear Association Ltd
  • Retail Bridalwear Association Ltd
  • UK Fashion and Textile Association
  • Other Associations
  • Association of Suppliers to The British Clothing Industry
  • Industry Awards
  • Bridal Buyer Awards
• 4. Competitor Analysis
  • The Marketplace
  • Table 4.1: Leading Bridalwear Manufacturers Operating
  • in The UK by Main Media Advertising Expenditure, Year Ending September 2009
  • Bridal Magazines
  • Table 4.2: Readership of Leading Bi-Monthly Bridal Magazines (000), 2008
  • and 2009
  • Market Leaders
  • Bridal Buyer Awards 2010
  • Manufacturers
  • The Collection Designed by Ian Stuart Ltd
  • Ellis Bridals (Alandar Park Ltd)
  • Hollywood Dreams (London) Ltd
  • Jenny Packham (London) Ltd
  • Maggie Sottero Bridal (UK) Ltd
  • Mark Lesley Ltd
  • Ritva Westenius (West End Designs [London] Ltd)
  • Sassi Holford
  • Bridalwear Contents
  • Sophie Tolli (Dom Bridals Ltd)
  • Suzanne Neville Ltd/Suzanne Neville Group Ltd
  • outside Suppliers
  • Carrington Fleet Textiles Ltd
  • James Hare Ltd
  • Michael's Bridal Fabrics
  • Trade 80 Silks
  • Independent Retailers
  • Bespoke Brides Ltd
  • Bellissima Weddings Bridal Shop
  • Mamfii Bridal House Ltd
  • Prudence Gowns
  • The White Boutique
  • Marketing Activity
  • Main Media Advertising Expenditure
  • Manufacturers
  • Table 4.3: Main Media Advertising Expenditure by Bridalwear Manufacturers
  • (£000), Years Ending September 2008 and 2009
  • Retailers
  • Table 4.4: Main Media Advertising Expenditure by Bridalwear Retailers (£000),
  • Years Ending September 2008 and 2009
  • Exhibitions and Trade Shows
  • US
  • UK and Europe
• 5. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
  • Strengths
  • Weaknesses
  • Opportunities
  • Threats
• 6. Buying Behaviour
  • The Bridal Experience
  • Shop Early
  • Appointments
  • Accessories
  • Designer Names
  • Bridal Store Staff
  • Comparing
  • Commitment: Final Sale
  • Bridalwear Contents
  • Guarantees and Service
  • Alterations
  • Be Realistic about Size
  • Enjoy Your Choice
  • The Retailer Experience
  • Bellissima Weddings
  • At HarrogAte, Are You Looking to See Existing Suppliers and/or to Find New
  • Suppliers?
  • Will You Be Buying Bridal/Mother-of-The-Bride (Mob)/Accessories?
  • Your Wish List for Bbeh?
  • WhAt Are You Dreading?
  • WhAt Are You Looking to Spend and How Many Pieces Are You Looking to Buy?
  • Hoops A Daisy
  • At HarrogAte, Are You Looking to See Existing Suppliers and/or to Find New Suppliers?
  • Will You Be Buying Bridal/Mob/Accessories?
  • Your Wish List for Bbeh?
  • WhAt Are You Dreading?
  • WhAt Are You Looking to Spend and How Many Pieces Are You Looking to Buy?
  • Losners
  • At HarrogAte, Are You Looking to See Existing Suppliers and/or to Find New
  • Suppliers?
  • Will You Be Buying Bridal/Mob/Accessories?
  • Your Wish List for Bbeh?
  • WhAt Are You Dreading?
  • WhAt Are You Looking to Spend and How Many Pieces Are You Looking to Buy?
  • Maid in Heaven
  • At HarrogAte Are You Looking to See Existing Suppliers and/or to Find New
  • Suppliers?
  • Will You Be Buying Bridal/Mob/Accessories?
  • Your Wish List for Bbeh?
  • WhAt Are You Dreading?
  • WhAt Are You Looking to Spend and How Many Pieces Are You Looking to Buy?
  • Mamfii Bridal
  • At HarrogAte, Are You Looking to See Existing Suppliers and/or to Find New
  • Suppliers?
  • Will You Be Buying Bridal/Mob/Accessories?
  • Your Wish List for Bbeh?
  • WhAt Are You Dreading?
  • WhAt Are You Looking to Spend and How Many Pieces Are You Looking to Buy?
  • Wedding Belles
  • At HarrogAte, Are You Looking to See Existing Suppliers and/or to Find New
  • Suppliers?
  • Bridalwear Contents
  • Will You Be Buying Bridal/Mob/Accessories?
  • Your Wish List for Bbeh?
  • WhAt Are You Dreading?
  • WhAt Are You Looking to Spend and How Many Pieces Are You Looking to Buy?
  • The Supplier Experience
  • Bba Poll
  • Table 7.1: Attitudes towards Bba Membership (% of Respondents), 2010
  • Table 7.2: Attitudes towards NAtional Awards (% of Respondents), 2010
• 7. Current Issues
  • Industry Concerns
• 8. The Global Market
  • Total Market Size
  • Number of Weddings by Territory
  • The US
  • Table 8.1: Number of Weddings in The US (000), 2000 and 2005-2008
  • France
  • Table 8.2: Number of Weddings in France, 2005-2009
  • Germany
  • Table 8.3: Number of Weddings in Germany, 2005-2008
  • Denmark
  • Table 8.4: Number of Weddings in Denmark, 2004-2008
  • Sweden
  • Table 8.5: Number of Weddings in Sweden, 2005-2009
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Table 8.6: Number of Weddings in The Republic of Ireland, 2003-2007
  • Future Developments
• 9. Forecasts
  • Introduction
  • The Economy
  • PopulAtion
  • Table 9.1: Forecast UK Resident PopulAtion by Sex (000), Mid-Years 2009-2013
  • Gross Domestic Product
  • Table 9.2: Forecast UK Growth in Gross Domestic Product
  • in Real Terms (%), 2009-2013
  • InflAtion
  • Table 9.3: Forecast UK RAte of InflAtion (%), 2009-2013
  • Bridalwear Contents
  • Unemployment
  • Table 9.4: Forecast Actual Number of Unemployed Persons
  • in The UK (Million), 2009-2013
  • Forecasts 2010 to 2014
  • Table 9.5: The Forecast Total UK Bridalwear Retail Market
  • by Volume and Value At Current Prices (Number and £m), 2010-2014
  • Figure 9.1: The Forecast Total UK Bridalwear Retail Market
  • by Value At Current Prices (£m), 2010-2014
  • Market Growth
  • Figure 9.2: Growth in The UK Bridalwear Retail Market
  • by Value At Current Prices (£m), 2005-2014
  • Future Trends
• 10. Further Sources
  • AssociAtions
  • PublicAtions
  • General Sources
  • Government Sources
  • Other Sources
  • Key Note Sources