Apparel Imports Fall Slightly in January, Footwear Continues to Gain Momentum

Total imports of apparel declined slightly in January, according to data just released by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Apparel imports (CIF) fell by 0.6% compared to January 2012, to $7.6 billion, compared to a slight increase in imports of all goods and services in the month.

On a 12-month smoothed basis, apparel imports declined by over one-percent, its sixth consecutive month of decline, as sluggish apparel demand and widespread price promotions continued to depress the category.

Apparel exports gained 2.3%, to $435 million. There were increases in the total value of exports to Mexico, Canada, and Japan, but decreases to Honduras, the DR, and El Salvador.

Footwear imports gained 10% – less than half December’s 21% surge, but an indication of continued strong demand.  On a 12-month smoothed basis, footwear imports gained almost 7%, their sixth straight month of accelerating growth.

China is the biggest source of U.S. footwear, representing 72% of footwear imports in the month. Vietnam was next with a more than 11% share, followed at a distance by Indonesia at 5%. Indonesia has bumped Italy from the number three spot in the past year.

Footwear exports dropped by 1.7%, to $58 million. The biggest U.S. export markets for footwear are Canada, at 19% of footwear exports in January and South Korea (18%).