SIC 5136
MEN'S AND BOY'S CLOTHING AND FURNISHINGS



This industry classification is comprised of wholesale distributors of men's and boys' apparel and furnishings. Products of the industry include shirts, trousers, sportswear, suits, ties, work clothing, hosiery, underwear, nightwear, outerwear and overcoats, gloves, hats, scarves, and umbrellas. Wholesale distributors of men's and boy's shoes, however, are included in SIC 5139: Footwear.

NAICS Code(s)

422320 (Men's and Boys' Clothing and Furnishings Wholesalers)

Approximately 4,465 establishments were primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of men's and boys' apparel and furnishings in 2001. The industry's sales were estimated to total in excess of $801.8 million, an increase from the $768.2 million reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. There were approximately 559,912 employees in 2001, a number which continued to grow throughout 2003. There were a total of 6,972 establishments in 2003, with sales of $15,704.70 million. The average sales per establishment was $2.6 million. The men's and boy's sector dominated the industry with 3,312 businesses and more than 47 percent of the market. In 2003, New York led the nation with 1,467 establishments and the $3.8 billion in sales. California was second with 1,457 establishments and sales of $3.5 billion.

In fall 1996, Occupational Outlook Quarterly provided a solemn forecast for employees in the apparel industry. During the later part of the twentieth century, increasing globalization and new technological developments played a role in the continuous decline in the industry. From 1970 to 1996, employment in the overall apparel industry declined by about 33 percent to around 915,000 workers by the mid-1990s.

Following the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the U.S. apparel industry shifted about 96 percent of its 2002 production overseas. The slowed economic retail sales downturn that followed contributed to the overall concern in regards to the price of production.

One industry leader was Polo/Ralph Lauren L.P. Ralph Lauren began his career in 1967 when he designed wide ties and started the Polo label. The following year, he established the Polo by Ralph Lauren menswear company. Throughout the following decades he also established successful womenswear, fragrance, accessories, and home furnishing lines.

The Daily News Record reported in late 1996 that Polo/Ralph Lauren generated more than $500 million in retail sales of men's furnishings in the United States and internationally; this number remained virtually unchanged in 1999. In 1996, the company had 2,700 employees; this number increased to 6,800 in 1999. Polo/Ralph Lauren had licenses throughout the United States and in more than 30 countries. It sold the resulting products through independently licensed and company-owned Polo stores and through upscale department stores. In 2003, Polo/Ralph Lauren's total sales were $2.4 billion, with a total of 10,800 employees.

The demand for menswear edged up from 30 percent to 32.5 percent in 2003. Various men's stores have reported the same results. As reported in Retail Traffic, JoS A. Bank Clothiers Inc.'s year to year growth jumped to 15.2 percent from a decline of 3.7 percent in 2002. Men's Warehouse, a famous maker of suits reported the same results.

Other important companies were Tommy Hilfiger Corporation; L.L. Bean, Inc.; J. Crew Group Inc.; Abercrombie and Fitch; American Eagle Outfitters; and Gap Inc.

Further Reading

Curan, Catherine. "Purple Reign." Daily News Record, 6 December 1996.

D&B Sales & Marketing Solutions, 2003. Available from http://www.zapdata.com .

Hoover's Company Profiles, April 2004. Available from http://www.hoovers.com .

Karlin, Beth. "Male Call." Retail Traffic, 1 August 2003. Available from http://www.keepmedia.com/pubs/RetailTraffic/2003/08/01/260701 .

U.S. Census Bureau. Current industrial Reports. August 2003. Available from http://www.census.gov/cir/www/index.html .

——. Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2001. Available from http://www.census.gov/epcd/susb/2001/US421420.HTM .

User Contributions:

Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic: