CONSUMER BUYING HABITS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU | A NEW STUDY FROM INFORMA MARKETS’ SHOWS

by Brett Edward Stout May 22, 2025



A comprehensive new study from Informa Markets’ fashion portfolio, the premier resource for B2B events including MAGIC Las Vegas, reveals significant shifts in consumer behavior and digital adoption across the U.S. fashion landscape. The “2025 U.S. Fashion Consumer Outlook Report“ delivers critical market intelligence based on an extensive survey of 800 American consumers, combined with in-depth industry analysis.

This study reveals how customers are finding products, what products they are buying, and where they prefer to buy them. The study breaks down in detail products by category, gender, and age.

Where customers identify products they would like to purchase; from the Informa Markets’ study

The retail landscape continues to evolve dramatically, with digital channels now dominating consumer preferences. A significant 55% of consumers show a clear preference for online retail platforms, while half of all shoppers prioritize purchasing directly from brand websites. This digital transformation extends to social commerce, where 38% of consumers actively engage with platforms like Instagram Shopping and TikTok Shop, though these remain secondary to traditional purchasing channels.

Where customers prefer to make their purchases, from the Informa Markets’ study

In today’s market, price dominates consumer decision-making, with 40% of shoppers citing affordability as a primary consideration in fashion purchases. Environmental consciousness also remains top of mind with 32% of consumers factoring ethical production into decisions; the data reveals a clear ceiling on sustainable spending, where most shoppers are willing to pay up to a 10% premium for eco-friendly options. Preference in price sensitivity is driving increasingly strategic shopping behaviors. As consumers carefully evaluate their purchases through metrics, consumers are increasingly focused on value-driven purchases, seeking out discounts and evaluating cost-per-wear ratios. This demonstrates that even as sustainability awareness grows, economic considerations remain the decisive factor in fashion purchasing decisions.

What product categories consumers are interested in, from the Informa Markets’ study

Across the different market categories, gender plays a significant role in shopping patterns, men lead with 53% of total spending in footwear, and investment pieces like watches, sneakers and tailored apparel. The survey reports across age groups ranging from 18 to 55 and up, revealing that generational influence extends to home goods, where young women lead in home décor purchases, while men’s spending increases in kitchenware and tech as age increases.

“This kind of industry data is essential for stakeholders, retailers and brands to meet evolving consumer needs and navigate the balance between trends, brand storytelling and effective use of technological advancements based on target consumers,” says Courtney Hazirjian, Head of Creative Marketing and Insights, MMGNET Group.