Over view Country: Saudi Arabia Industry: Saudi Apparel Market

Saudi Apparel Market
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Country: Saudi Arabia
Industry: Saudi Apparel Market
Maisa Al Tawil
Commercial Assistant
Over
view
April 10
Saudi Arabia is a major market for women's, men’s and children's clothing. The market is
distinctly segmented between the upper, high-end sector and the lower-priced market. This
report focuses on the high-end segment of the apparel market, which is dominated by imports
from Europe and the United States. The lower end of the market is characterized by imports
from the Far East and Southeast Asia, some of which copy the style of European and American
brand names. Women’s custom shops also prevail in this segment of the market, where labor is
relatively cheap.
Saudi Arabia has a very young population. More than 41% of the population is under 14 years
old; another 18% are aged between 15-24 years, making it a strong and influential consumer
group. In 2008, U.S. clothing exports reached $450 million. The apparel market tends to follow
a seasonal trend in line with Saudi religious holidays and summer breaks when clothes shopping
reach its peak. In recent years, U.S. brand names and stand-alone boutiques have edged higher
in retail sales and gained a larger foothold from European companies. European brand-name
boutiques are also competing in this market, namely from Spain, Italy, France, U.K., and
Germany. Almost all of these boutiques cater to the young middle-upper class clientele.
Market Demand
Changing habits and lifestyles, especially among young Saudis, is fueling demand for Westernstyle clothing. Satellite television, internet, overseas travel, and more women joining the labor
force contribute to an evolving and changing life style and dress codes.
The upper-end of the market is dominated by imports from Europe and the United States. The
partial deterioration of the United States' image in the wake of regional political events
temporarily opened many doors for European competitors to gain market share. This trend
appears to have ended now and U.S. brand names that had a big share in the market like Guess,
GAP and XOXO are seeing an increase in sales. Saudi consumers commonly become attached
to brand names and carefully look out for new product lines from these brand names.
Saudi buyers usually look for conservative clothing, long sleeved blouses, longer skirts, and less
revealing clothes in general. Another buying factor is the assortment of colors and material.
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Lightweight and bright colors are more in demand due to the hot and humid climate prevailing in
Saudi Arabia. Light wool, light to medium weight cotton or blends fair better than polyester and
nylon blend material.
Best Prospects
Cotton and cotton blends represent the best prospects for U.S. apparel companies in the Saudi
market. Hot weather conditions dictate the need for these lightweight fabrics. Long dresses and
long skirts are very popular as well as jeans with patching and embroidery. Saudi buyers have
become increasingly trendy and tend to require the latest models and designs. Brand-name
boutiques have mushroomed in recent years, especially for women's and children's apparel.
Men's apparel represents a fraction of the demand for imported clothes in Saudi Arabia. The
market is mainly dominated by women and children boutiques. Tailor-made dresses are
increasingly relinquishing its share to ready-made dresses. Domestic production is limited to a
few factories that produce uniforms and children's clothes from blended, unpopular fabrics.
Competition in the high-end segment of the apparel market usually comes from Europe,
especially from France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Cheaper imports flood the market
from China, Thailand, Indonesia, and India. European stand-alone branded boutiques competing
in the market include Benetton, Next, Mothercare, ZARA, Mango, and Massimo Dutti, among
others. All of the mentioned names are doing very well, especially those brands that are
moderately priced. Price, word of mouth, and branching have helped many of these franchises to
gain and expand their share of the Saudi market. Few companies advertise only to announce a
new collection or a sale.
The recent recession in Saudi Arabia has lowered Saudi per capita income down, forcing many
people to purchase cheap, lower quality fabrics and finishing imported clothes from countries in
the Far East, especially for children clothing.
Saudi Arabia is an evolving market and Saudi tastes are also changing. With more than half the
population below the age of 15, Saudi youth is directing this change. Men in Saudi tend to wear
the traditional thobe, (a white dress like garment), especially at work or formal occasions.
However, younger Saudi men are opting for western-style clothing, especially on weekends and
after hours.
Women's eveningwear is also very popular. The concept of custom-made evening dresses at
tailor shops is going out of fashion as more Saudi women join the labor force and find little time
to have tailor-made clothes made. Evening dresses are more in demand at the beginning of the
summer break when wedding ceremonies take place.
The following sectors and sub-sectors provide an excellent potential for U.S. companies:
-Children’s Apparel
-Lingerie
-Maternity Apparel
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-Men’s Apparel
-Sports, Leisure, Casual Apparel
- Women’s Apparel
Trade Promotion Opportunities
Participating in trade shows is an excellent way to establish contacts with potential Saudi
importers and dealers of women, children and men's apparel. This promotional method is highly
cost effective in introducing new products to the Saudi market. The office of Textile and Apparel
(OTEXA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce can be of assistance at Tel: (202) 482-5078, fax:
Fax: (202) 482-2331, email: [email protected]
Fashion shows are rare in the Kingdom and advertising for women's apparel is uncommon,
except for promotional offers or end of season sales by a few designer name boutiques.
In addition, Saudi business people often visit shows throughout the Middle East, especially in
Dubai, Lebanon and Bahrain, as well as international trade shows in Europe, Asia, and the
United States. Usually, the Commercial Section of the American Embassy and the two
Consulates in Saudi Arabia promotes the MAGIC show in Las Vegas.
U.S. firms may also wish to consider promoting their products through the Business
Facilitation Service (BFS) program of the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Saudi Arabia. These
BFSs are good techniques to introduce and familiarize the Saudi business communities with the
latest developments in the apparel industry.
Another promotional possibility for new-to-market U.S. companies is to organize trade missions
supported by their association, state, or local chamber of commerce. CS Saudi Arabia also offers
the Gold Key Service for American exporters wanting to come to Saudi Arabia to discuss
business opportunities with Saudi companies. Under the program, the Commercial Service in
Saudi Arabia will prepare a schedule of appointments for the American company representative
before arrival, provide an interpreter during the visit, and provide office space if appointments
cannot be made at the Saudi company's premises. The offices of the U.S. Department of
Commerce located throughout the United States provide a number of valuable programs to assist
U.S. exporters in promoting their products and services in the Saudi market.
For more information, please contact your nearest U.S. Department of Commerce Export
Assistance Center, which is listed in the government pages of your telephone directory.
. 800-USA-TRADE
Market Access
Few limits are imposed on imports and no import licenses to import apparel. Direct sales are the
rule rather that exception. Companies' representatives regularly visit trade shows in Europe, the
Far East and in the United States.
Import duties are between five to ten percent. Imports should have a certificate of origin, and the
Saudi Embassy or Consulates in the United States should attest all documents. Imported apparel
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should not contain any printed language that violates prevailing Islamic values and morals.
European and Asian apparel manufacturers and representatives have long established business
ties to Saudi retailers. These exporters often organize promotional trade visits during which
several manufacturers show their collections to Saudi buyers. They also accept payment by
either letter of credit or on 90 and 180-day draft terms.
Shopping activity increases dramatically at the beginning of the summer and during the holy
month of Ramadan and the annual pilgrimage. The dates for these two occasions vary every
year. Wholesalers usually travel to the U.S., Europe and Asia to place their orders two months
prior to these two occasions.
Standards & Labeling: The Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) regulates product
standards within the Kingdom. In 1995, SASO issued new guidelines to control the quality of
certain products imported into Saudi Arabia. The International Conformity Certification
Program (ICCP) requires that certification be issued by one of SASO's 13 appointed laboratories
in the United Sates for compliance with either SASO or internationally recognized standards. In
either case, the issuance of certificates must be obtained through Inchcape testing services at:
SASO Program Manager
Inchcape Testing Services
3741 Red Bluff Road
Pasadena, Texas 77503
Tel: 713-475-2082
Fax: 713-475-2083
Email: [email protected]
www.saso.org / www.iccp.com
Labeling and marking requirements are compulsory for any products exported to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) is responsible for establishing labeling and
other guidelines in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Commerce implements SASO guidelines
through its inspection and test laboratories at ports of entry in Saudi Arabia. Companies can
request a copy of the labeling requirements by contacting SASO at Tel: (966 1) 452-0000 or Fax:
(966 1) 452-0086.
Unless it is not feasible to do so because of the size or the nature of the goods, the country of
origin must be mentioned on all imported goods. Generally, goods for sale in Saudi Arabia must
be in containers labeled in metric measurements. However, goods imported from countries that
do not use the metric system may be marked in units of the exporting country provided they are
sold locally on the basis of the metric system. Articles not manufactured on the basis of length,
weight, volume, or area need not be marked.
Foreign companies can either sell directly or through appointed distributors or agents. In recent
years, a number of brand-name stores have emerged in Saudi Arabia, such as GAP, Ann Klein,
XOXO, Guess and many more. This franchise-concept agreement appears to be a good model for
other American manufacturers wishing to establish a presence in the Saudi market. A qualified,
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on-site Saudi representative is extremely important in gaining access to the Saudi market.
Agency and distributorship relationships should be registered at the local Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, as well as with the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
U.S. firms interested in appointing agents and distributors in Saudi Arabia may contact their
nearest U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistant Center.
Saudi Government offices are closed on Thursday and Friday. Most private sector firms do not
open on Thursday either. Arabic is the official language in Saudi Arabia and English is the
second language and the business language. Dhahran on the East Coast is the industrial capital
and more liberal region of Saudi Arabia; Riyadh, is the capital city and has a more conservative
environment; while Jeddah, on the West Coast, is the merchant capital and like Dhahran is less
conservative.
E-business is still in its infancy but catching on, especially among larger institutions and
companies such as Aramco, the national oil company.
Imports are primarily paid by letter of credit (L/C), which may be drawn at sight or at 30, 60 or
90-day sight from the bill of landing. There are virtually no exchange controls in the Kingdom.
In addition, there are no restrictions on receipts for current transactions or on the movement and
repatriation of capital and derived profits from local investments. Financing is available from
commercial and international banks. Certain exporters' risks can be insured through the Foreign
Credit Insurance Association (FCIA).
For More Information
The U.S. Commercial Service in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia can be contacted via e-mail at:
[email protected]; Phone: +966 3 330-3200; Fax: +966 3 330-2190; or visit our
website:
www.buyusa.gov/saudiarabia
The U.S. Commercial Service — Your Global Business Partner
With its network of offices across the United States and in more than 80 countries, the U.S.
Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and
international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services
worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by
visiting http://www.export.gov/.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this report is intended to be of assistance to U.S. exporters. While we make
every effort to ensure its accuracy, neither the United States government nor any of its employees make any
representation as to the accuracy or completeness of information in this or any other United States government
document. Readers are advised to independently verify any information prior to reliance thereon. The information
provided in this report does not constitute legal advice.
International Copyright, U.S. Department of Commerce, 2010. All rights reserved outside of the United States.
The U.S. Commercial Service – Your Global Business Partner.
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