United Arab Emirates (UAE) Athleisure Market Overview, 2029

The athleisure market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is experiencing exponential growth globally. The athleisure market in the UAE is part of the larger sports and fitness market, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The athleisure market in the UAE has seen significant growth and evolution over the years, reflecting global trends in fashion and fitness. The concept of athleisure began to take shape during 1980s, with sportswear brands like Nike and Adidas gaining popularity in the UAE. These brands introduced comfortable and stylish athletic wear that could be worn for both exercise and casual activities. The popularity of athleisure wear grew as more people started incorporating fitness into their daily routines. This period saw the emergence of athleisure as a mainstream fashion category. Athleisure wear became a significant trend, blending fashion and functionality. In the UAE, the athleisure market is regulated by several policies, certifications, and restrictions to ensure product quality, safety, and compliance with standards. Federal Law on Product Safety law ensures that products meet safety and quality standards to protect consumers. It covers all phases of the supply chain, including importation, storage, wholesale, and retail. Consumer Protection Laws protect consumers from misleading advertising and ensure that products are safe for use. Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS): Implemented by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), ECAS ensures that products conform to relevant UAE standards. Products must obtain an ECAS conformity certificate before entering the UAE market. Products must also meet the technical regulations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and obtain a G-mark. The UAE follows the EU's REACH regulations, which restrict the use of certain hazardous chemicals in textiles and clothing. Athleisure products must comply with UAE labelling requirements, which include information on the product's composition, care instructions, and country of origin. These policies, regulations, and certifications help maintain high standards in the athleisure market, ensuring that products are safe, environmentally friendly, and of high quality.

According to the research report "UAE athleisure Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the UAE athleisure market is expected to reach a market size of more than USD 9.24% Billion by 2029. This growth is fuelled by increasing health and wellness awareness among consumers. The UAE's GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) is approximately $849.8 billion as of 2024. The UAE has experienced steady economic growth, with a GDP growth rate of 4.01% projected for 2024. The GDP per capita (PPP) is around $77,251. The UAE's population is approximately 9.9 million as of 2022. The urban population in the UAE is around 11 million, with a rural population of about 1.25 million. The urbanization rate is high, reflecting the country's development and modernization efforts. The population density is 134.5 people per square kilometres. These factors highlight the UAE's strong economy and rapidly urbanizing society, making it an attractive market for athleisure products. Nike and Adidas global brands continue to be major players in the UAE athleisure market, driving innovation and competition. UAE-based brands like Lulu Sport have also made significant contributions to the athleisure market, offering a range of stylish and functional products. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on sustainability, with brands investing in eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices to meet consumer demand. The athleisure market in the UAE has evolved significantly, reflecting changes in consumer preferences and broader cultural trends. UAE-based brands like Lulu Sport and local retailers began expanding their product lines to include athleisure wear, catering to the growing demand for versatile clothing. There is a growing emphasis on health and fitness among the UAE population, leading to higher demand for comfortable and stylish athleisure wear. As more people move to urban areas, the demand for athleisure products that can be worn for both exercise and casual activities increases. Focusing on the Future Outlook, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, with brands investing in eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices to meet consumer demand. Brands are focusing on product innovation, incorporating advanced features like moisture-wicking and temperature control to enhance consumer experience.

The athleisure market in the UAE reflects broader global trends, with a strong focus on health, sustainability, and innovation. Since its introduction, athleisure articles of clothing have been a tremendously successful trend. These apparel choices are now considered acceptable for an extensive range of occasions. Men are inclined to dress in clothes that are both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for them. Such needs are met by the characteristics and product options of athletic wear. Some athleisure clothing items, such bomber jackets, casual pants, crew-neck sweaters, polo shirts, and others, have gained more popularity in recent years among men. Thus, the distinct combination of both fashion and functionality seen in athleisure is one of the major elements influencing male consumers' desire for the product. Female population is very conscious about the overall looks and appearance when it comes to wearing any kind of apparels. In a social setting, women always embrace their active and healthy lifestyle. They look for clothing and footwear that are both comfortable and stylish as a consequence. Most of the producers in the global athleisure market have been working to develop items that meet the needs of the female population in light of this trend. Sneakers segment dominated the athleisure market and is likely to remain dominant during the athleisure market forecast period. Canvas sneakers with soles made of rubber are suited for a variety of outdoor activities. Sneakers have recently become recognized as casual shoes that are utilized by the target market due to the growing trend and demand for athleisure items. Customers, and millennials in particular, have been quite picky about the footwear they have recently been wearing. They like attractive, longer-lasting performance footwear over other types. The initial purpose of joggers was to be used for jogging. They are comfy and light. They have a tapered leg and an athletic look. Most joggers feature an elasticized waistband with a drawstring or elastic at the ankles, making them considerably trendier. Joggers have risen in popularity among the target audience as a result of the athleisure and sports luxe fashion trends. Males in particular have had joggers made just for them. A hooded sweatshirt or jacket falls under the category of hoodies in athleisure. Before athleisure clothing entered the scene, hoodies had already begun to acquire popularity. Since there are many different types of hoodies on the market, including baja hoodies, zip-up hoodies, fur hoodies, over-the-head hoodies, polo hoodies, skull hoodies, slim-fit hoodies, and others, target buyers nowadays take a holistic approach when purchasing hoodies for themselves. Hoodie demand has increased; thus, producers are planning to improve their current goods by including new features.

The market is distinguished and segmented into women centric, men centric and the kids centric. Women athleisure are leading segment and men athleisure are fastest segment. Based on end-user, the women segment led the market with the largest revenue share. Athleisure has evolved beyond basic workout gear to encompass stylish, fashion-forward designs that cater to women's sense of style. From trendy leggings with unique patterns to chic athleisure tops that can be dressed up or down, athleisure brands offer a wide range of options to suit various tastes and preferences. Women are drawn to athleisure apparel for its ability to keep them looking fashionable and put-together while leading active lifestyles. The increasing participation of children in sports has significantly boosted the sales of sportswear and athleisure worldwide. Growing awareness about the harmful effects of obesity and the growing need to promote confidence in children has driven parents to keep their children engaged in various sports. The market has expanded to include a wide range of stylish options tailored to men's tastes and preferences. From sleek workout gear to athleisure-inspired streetwear, men can find athleisure apparel that not only performs well during workouts but also reflects their style. Athleisure allows men to express themselves fashionably while embracing a casual yet athletic aesthetic, making it appealing for both leisure and exercise.


Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029



Aspects covered in this report
• Athleisure market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type
• Clothing
• Footwear
• Other Product Types

By Category
• Mass
• Premium

By End User
• Women
• Men
• Kids

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Athleisure industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.