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U.S. Fur Retail Sales Still Edging Higher
Fur Information Council of America releases latest statistics
The independent survey of fur retailers, conducted annually since 1991 by Southwick Associates, found that sales of fur and fur-trimmed apparel and accessories in 2005 reached $1.82 billion, up 0.2% from the year before. The average price of all fur and fur-trimmed garments and accessories sold increased 6.8%, following a rise of 8.1% in 2004.
Mink continued to dominate at 71.4% of all sales, with sheared mink accounting for 28.7% and unsheared at 42.7%. Once again, sheared mink sales showed the greatest growth, according to 82% of respondents.
Shearling ranked second at 12% of sales, up significantly from 7% a year before.
"Fur sales continue their upward trend reflecting fur's importance in today's fashion," explained Keith Kaplan, executive director of FICA. "In 1985, only 42 fashion designers were using fur in their ready to wear collections. Today there are more than 400 renowned fashion designers showing fur fashions, coats and fur-trimmed merchandise appealing to a broad cross section of consumers. Men and women of all ages are buying fur today and fur can be found in designer boutiques, specialty retailers, sporting goods stores, accessories shops and boutiques for men and women as well as at the more traditional fur salons and department stores."
"Recognizing that these figures reflect only the universe of traditional fur retailers we interview, sales increases are probably even more significant when taking into account the growth among department stores and specialty retailers," said Kaplan.
FICA attributes this strong consumer demand to innovations in design and manufacturing that have allowed designers to use fur in more creative ways than ever before. New techniques in dying, laser cutting and micro-shearing, embellishment and other treatments have allowed the creation of a much broader range of silhouettes and products that appeal to a much broader range of consumers. Add to that the fact that fur is seen in so many more retail outlets and supported by strong fashion editorial.
See also:
Global fur sales up for eigth straight year. International Fur Trade Federation press release, Mar. 9, 2007.
Mink Crop Value Surges on Record Pelt Prices. FCUSA analysis of latest USDA data, Aug. 20, 2006.
For further information contact: Teresa Platt, Executive Director, Fur Commission USA, PMB 506, 826 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118-2698 USA, (619) 575-0139, (619) 575-5578/fax, furfarmers@aol.com, www.furcommission.com.
To take a cyber-tour of a fur farm, visit Fur Commission USA's Fur on Film at http://www.furcommission.com/video/index.htm