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The work carried out by the Forecasting department highlights
the large scale
and emerging trends of the contemporary world and produce simulations
and
forecasts on the future of the textile and fashion markets.
They complete
the economic supervision that the Economic Observatory already
carries out with relation to changes within society and the
factors that will come to influence the market environment on
an international level.
The main themes to these forecast studies involve the evolution
in consumer
behavior on an international level (budgetary arbitrage
between different goods and services), and the changes that
occur in the distribution process. The relationship between
the growth rate of the economy and the new spending in communications
and clothing was highlighted by IFM / ECONOMIC TRENDS &
FORECASTING. It also showed that despite clear disparities within
Europe with regards to clothing, shopping and distribution,
a gradual convergence of consumer behavior in Europe is underway.
Another line of investigation deals with the evolution of
ideals among consumers
around the world in terms of fashion and brands and the
noticeable differences
between industrialized countries and the emerging markets. The
rise in ethical and
environmental concerns among Western consumers is a major theme
for analysis with
its serious consequences for the future of textiles and fashion.
On a more general level, IFM / ECONOMIC TRENDS & FORECASTING
supports the innovative policies of private companies and public
institutions by detecting the faint signals that open the
way for the development of new products, services, distribution
areas or processes.
The Forecasting department analyses :
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Structural economic and environmental
evolution : demography, natural
resources, climate… |
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Lifestyle evolutions: structural
deformation of consumption, budgetary
arbitrages, new competition for textiles, demands not
satisfied… |
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Technological change, in tandem
with the Institut Français du Textile-
Habillement (IFTH) |
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New economic models: low cost,
the online economy, networks |
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New distribution modes and links
with consumers (Internet,
personalization, places for exchanges and experiences…) |
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The change in regulations and
policies (banned substances,
normalization…) and consumer movements |
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