Who Shops Where for Fashion A Look at US Apparel Shopper Demographics

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1 Who Shops Where for Fashion A Look at US Apparel Shopper Demographics Deborah Weinswig CEO and Founder Coresight Research deborahweinswig@fung1937.com US: HK: CN: This report looks at key demographic characteristics of shoppers at America s biggest apparel retailers. The top takeaways from our analysis of survey data include the following: 1) The typical department store shopper is slightly older and more affluent than the average apparel shopper. Macy s registers more consistent appeal across age groups than some of its rivals do. 2) Target and T.J.Maxx attract younger age groups. Target s popularity tails off rapidly beyond the age group. T.J.Maxx is the only one of the biggest retailers seeing the highest shopper penetration among the age group. 3) Walmart s average apparel shopper is significantly less affluent than the typical apparel shopper. More suprisingly, so is H&M s average shopper, because its younger shoppers have not yet reached their peak earnings. 4) Target registers relatively consistent appeal across income bands. T.J.Maxx sees high penetration rates among middle and higher earners, peaking among those with incomes of $100,000 to $199,999 although it registers strong appeal across all income bands. 1

2 Introduction In this brief report, we look at key demographic characteristics of shoppers at America s biggest apparel retailers. Based on a Coresight Research consumer survey, we consider the age and affluence of shoppers at major clothing and footwear retailers. This report forms part of our How the US Shops series of reports, each of which is based on proprietary consumer research. The data in this report come from an online survey undertaken in January 2018 of 1,564 US adults who had bought clothing or footwear in the past 12 months. All survey figures in this report represent the percentage of respondents selecting the respective option. Walmart, Amazon and Target are America s most-shopped apparel retailers. Where America Shops for Apparel We begin with a ranking of America s top retailers, by number of shoppers. Walmart, Amazon and Target lead this ranking, with major department stores and T.J.Maxx/Marshalls comprising a second tier. We discuss Amazon s position in the apparel market in more detail in our report Deep Dive: Amazon Apparel US Survey Reveals What Shoppers Buy, Which Retailers They Have Switched from and Their Attitudes Toward Amazon as a Fashion Retailer. Figure 1. Where Survey Respondents Have Purchased Clothing or Footwear in the Past 12 Months (%) Walmart Amazon Target Kohl s T.J.Maxx/Marshalls Macy s JCPenney Old Navy Costco Ross Stores Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack H&M Burlington Forever 21 Gap ebay Sears Kmart Other Retailers 14.3% 14.1% 12.2% 10.4% 9.5% 8.4% 8.3% 7.7% 6.7% 6.1% 25.3% 24.0% 21.7% 19.6% 32.9% 41.8% 37.4% 37.3% 44.3% Survey question: Which retailers have you bought clothing or footwear from in the past 12 months (whether online or in-store)? Select all that apply. Respondents were free to select any options from the list provided. 2

3 The average department store shopper is very close to the average apparel shopper, by age and affluence. Shopper Profiles by Age and Affluence The following chart presents the average age and household income of shoppers at each of the top apparel retailers, with bubble size representing their scale. The average department store shopper is slightly older and more affluent than the average apparel shopper. Of the major department stores, Macy s attracts a slightly younger average shopper; as we show later, Macy s appeal is more even across age groups than that of rivals such as Kohl s. Costco attracts an older, more affluent shopper, and we found a similar picture for the grocery category in our recent counterpart to this report, Who Shops Where for Groceries A Look at US Grocery Store Demographics. Target attracts shoppers that are typically younger than the average shopper. We have previously noted Target s popularity among millennials for groceries and beauty products. Target s shoppers are very close to the average in terms of income and, as we show later, this is due to the retailer s consistent appeal across all income groups. Walmart s average apparel shopper is significantly less affluent than the average. More suprisingly, so is H&M s average shopper, as its younger shoppers have not reached their peak earnings. The relative youth of Gap s average shopper may surprise some readers. Its shoppers are dominated by those aged under 45. Figure 2. Average Shopper Profiles: Selected Apparel Retailers, by Age and Household Income Average Income (USD Thous.) Average Apparel Shopper H&M Forever 21 Gap Old Navy Nordstrom/ Nordstrom Rack Target Burlington Amazon T.J.Maxx Costco Macy s Kohl s Sears JCPenney Walmart Average Age Bubble size represents shopper numbers. Note that average age excludes shoppers ages under 18, who were not surveyed. T.J.Maxx includes Marshalls. 3

4 Younger age groups flock to Amazon, Target and T.J.Maxx. T.J.Maxx Wins Younger Shoppers Among the very top tier of clothing retailers, those aged under 45 flock to Amazon, Target and T.J.Maxx. Target s popularity tails off rapidly beyond the age group. T.J.Maxx is the only one of the major retailers charted to see the highest shopper penetration among the age group. Walmart sees relatively even penetration for apparel across all age groups. The major department stores tend to see the highest penetration rates among middle-aged shoppers (those ages 45 60). Of the department stores charted below, Kohl s sees the greatest differences by age, with year-olds considerably less likely than year-olds to buy apparel from the retailer. Macy s sees much more consistent appeal among the age groups. Figure 3. Where Consumers Apparel: Selected Retailers, by Age Group (%) Over 60 49% 44% 43% 40% 40% 45% 40% 40% 44% 37% 39% 35% 27% 22% 31% 24% 30% 28% 27% 27% 23% 24% 23% 23% 21% 22% 18% 18% 24% 28% 20% 8% Walmart Amazon Target Kohl s T.J.Maxx Macy s JCPenney Old Navy T.J.Maxx includes Marshalls. 4

5 Target and T.J.Maxx Register Consistent Appeal Across Income Groups Target registers relatively consistent appeal across income bands. For example, 42% of those with an oncome of $25,000 $49,999 and 43% of those with an income of $150,000 $174,999 buy clothing or footwear from Target. T.J.Maxx sees high penetration rates among middle and higher earners, peaking among those with incomes of $100,000 to $199,999 although it registers strong appeal across all income bands. The tendency to shop at Macy s increases as household income rises, but the popularity of Kohl s tails off among the highest earners. Figure 4. Where Consumers Buy Apparel: Selected Retailers, by Household Income (%) Income Level Walmart Amazon Target Kohl s T.J.Maxx/ Marshalls Macy s JCPenney Old Navy Under $25,000 54% 30% 34% 21% 22% 18% 18% 18% $25,000 $49,999 51% 35% 42% 27% 27% 21% 19% 23% $50,000 $74,999 48% 36% 36% 38% 25% 25% 25% 17% $75,000 $99,999 34% 34% 34% 34% 18% 24% 23% 19% $100,000 $124,999 33% 57% 49% 40% 31% 25% 25% 29% $125,000 $149,999 29% 55% 45% 48% 36% 24% 21% 28% $150,000 $174,999 35% 35% 43% 50% 18% 30% 18% 10% $175,000 $199,999 30% 63% 44% 37% 37% 30% 19% 30% $200,000 and Over 17% 56% 43% 33% 27% 44% 24% 21% All 42% 37% 37% 33% 25% 24% 22% 20% Target and T.J.Maxx show strong appeal to younger shoppers, and both attract shoppers across all income groups. Key Takeaways Unlike some rivals such as Walmart, Target and T.J.Maxx show strong appeal to younger shoppers and attract shoppers across all income groups. H&M s shoppers are less affluent: their average household income is approximately the same as that of Walmart apparel shoppers. The average department store shopper is slightly older and more affluent than the average apparel shopper. Department stores must work to combat any aging of their shopper base in order to maintain their leading market positions. 5

6 Deborah Weinswig, CPA CEO and Founder Coresight Research New York: Hong Kong: China: John Mercer Senior Analyst Hong Kong: 6/F, LiFung Tower 888 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon Hong Kong London: Marylebone Road London, NW1 6JQ United Kingdom New York: 1359 Broadway, 18th Floor New York, NY Coresight.com 6