The following research report contains market research, analysis, statistics and business intelligence relating to research on Intimate Apparel & Lingerie Industry In France.

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ABSTRACT
In 2000, French lingerie sales totaled $ 2.4 billion. They represent approximately 18 percent of total sales of women's wear in France.
In 2000, lingerie imports into France totaled $ 943 million. while exports reached $ 586 million Lingerie imports from the U.S. represented 0.31 percent of total imports in 1999. According to industry analysts, imports from the U.S. are expected to increase in coming years as French consumers become more receptive to American fashions and styles.

While U.S. imports represent only a fraction of the lingerie market in France, well-known American groups already have a significant presence through successful subsidiaries - Warnaco (Warner's, Calvin Klein, Lejaby), VF Diffusion (Bestform, Variance, Vassarette, Lou, Bolero), and Sara Lee (Playtex, Dim, and Wonderbra). Most of these companies have manufacturing facilities in Europe, which accounts for the relatively low level of U.S. imports.

There are opportunities for American companies in this apparel sub-sector, as manufacturers of lingerie are continually creating new product lines to appeal to French consumers' tastes.
MARKET HIGHLIGHTS & BEST PROSPECTS

* Market Profile

On average, a French woman purchases approximately five pair of underpants and two brassieres per year. She purchases new nightwear every nineteen months. Women 15 to 34 years old purchase more lingerie items than any other age categories. However, they buy less expensive lingerie. The most important factor for these consumers is comfort.
According to recent statistics, the average annual budget in 2000 for lingerie per woman in France is $ 92.4 (FF 658), representing an increase of 1.8 percent compared with 1999. The amount spent on lingerie depends on the following factors:

Age:

15-24 years: $125.1 (FF 891)
25-34 years: $106.7 (FF 760)
35-44 years: $100.2 (FF 714)
45-54 years: $ 97.0 (FF 691)
55-64 years: $ 97.1 (FF 692)
65-+: $ 48.1 (FF 343)
á Regions:

Eastern France: $ 106.6 (FF 759)
Southeast France $ 101.5 (FF 723)
Mediterranean region: $ 95.0 (FF 677)
Paris area: $ 91.9 (FF 655)
Western France: $ 86.0 (FF 613)
Northern France: $ 84.9 (FF 605)
Southwest France: $ 83.4 (FF 594)
Corsetry, particularly brassieres, represents the largest segment in the lingerie market, as sales of brassieres totaled $ 1.18 billion, or 44.8 percent of total turnover in the French lingerie market. As a result, manufacturers are always creating new products, such as push-up, minimizers, and more recently brassieres with cups filled with oil and water.

According to market analysts, the lingerie market is expected to increase by 0.8 percent per year over the next five years. The market is largely driven by the rising number of women aged 15 years old and older. Growth in the lingerie market should principally come from women between 50 and 64 years old, as they have a higher budget compared with younger women and spend more than $100 annually for lingerie. Demand is expected to decrease slightly for women between 15 and 29 years until2007, while it should stay stable for women between 30 and 49 years old.

* Best Sales Prospects

According to market analysts, the trend in sales for 2002 are expected to be as follows:

Products: Moulded shapes with naive embroideries.
Classical demi-cups with visible underwire.
Cami-tops.
High coverage shapes with graceful details.
Transparent bodysuits.
Comfortable lingerie in ultra-simple shapes and decorated with giant graphics. Bandeau brassieres using more raised surfaces and cut seams.
Camisole and triangle brassieres without underwire or with half-underwires.
Second-skin products with transparency and layering.
Underwire bra-tops, classical half cups, camisole, and nighties.
Tanks, sleeveless tops and T-shirts.

Colors: Shadings of indigo, cobalt, and lavender.
Tone-on-tone color schemes with shades of pink, orange and red.
Pastel tones (parma, blue).
Green associated with faded shades of old rose.
Aubergine with faded pink.
Opaque white or translucent white with shades of brown.

Fabrics: Fine, opaque knits and print mousseline voile.
Semi-iridescent coatings on high-support jersey bases.
Fine cotton, linen, or Modal ¨ jersey bases. Guipure lace and lace with geometric patterns.
Stretch voile knit, organza, microfibers, laces with voile overlays and embroideries. Stretch mousseline, fluid voiles with prints and mixes of stretch woven fabrics.
Extensible voiles, very fine tulle and tiny mesh fabrics.

Patterns: Prints with spontaneous patterns.
Flowers embroideries.
Foliage prints.
Giant geographic motifs.
Stripe play with diagonal stripes on chic cotton poplin and satin. COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

Textile characteristics:
Major fiber manufacturers are developing the textiles of the future by seeking to achieve certain effects through the creative use of fabric. These include a seductive mode -- with bright and shiny fabrics; emotions-- with fabrics which progressively release certain scents; vitality -- with dynamic, molding, and shape-enhancing fabrics; a sense of comfort -- with textiles that preserve warmth and coolness, and with anti-bacterial, insect-repellant fabrics.

Advertising:
A key factor in establishing a brand in France is to have an adequate advertising budget. A foreign company should be able to promote its image effectively and thoroughly. New products should be aggressively marketed to appeal to French women's inherent "passion for living," which influences their fashion preferences, and which also express both their sensuality and femininity.
Credit/delivery terms:

Another important factor is the ability to offer credit terms and reordering services similar to those of French competitors. A European warehouse facility or comparable logistics arrangements are an additional advantage in meeting short-term delivery requirements.
Price:
Price is also one of the key factors. If their prices are competitive, American manufacturers will be able to penetrate the French lingerie market successfully, including via mail order direct to the consumer.
* Domestic Production/Exports

In 2000, French production of lingerie totaled $ 2.3 billion. France exported part of its production to the following countries:
Underpants (percentage of exports):

- Poland: 26 percent - Tunisia: 15 percent - Belgium: 12 percent - Netherlands: 8 percent
- Germany: 6 percent - Spain: 6 percent
- Romania: 4 percent - Italy: 4 percent - Switzerland: 4 percent - United Kingdom: 3 percent
Brassieres:

- Tunisia: 19 percent - Romania: 15 percent - Germany: 13 percent - Belgium: 9 percent - Spain: 7 percent - Netherlands: 6 percent
- Italy: 4 percent - Switzerland: 4 percent - United Kingdom: 4 percent - Morocco: 2 percent
Nightwear:

- Belgium: 41 percent
- Spain: 20 percent
- United Kingdom: 8 percent - Italy: 7 percent
- Portugal 6 percent
- Tunisia: 2 percent
- Germany: 5 percent - Switzerland: 2 percent
- Netherlands: 1 percent
French companies continue to create new lines of products, for both the local and export markets.

*Production abroad and imports

At the same time, many French companies have established manufacturing facilities in countries with lower labor costs, such as Tunisia, Morocco, Portugal, and Turkey, and more recently in Eastern Europe.
France also imports significant amounts of lingerie items. France's top ten suppliers (in volume percentage terms) of underpants in 2000 were:

- China: 21 percent
- Portugal: 10 percent
- Poland: 8 percent
- Italy: 7 percent
- Tunisia: 7 percent
- Hungary: 6 percent
- Austria: 5 percent
- Hong-Kong: 5 percent
- Morocco: 4 percent
- Netherlands: 4 percent

France's top ten suppliers (in volume percentage terms) of brassieres in 2000 were:

- China: 18 percent
- Tunisia: 16 percent
- Romania: 7 percent
- Morocco: 7 percent
- Spain: 6 percent
- Turkey: 6 percent
- Indonesia 5 percent
- Thailand: 5 percent
- Hong-Kong: 3 percent
- Italy: 3 percent

France's top ten suppliers (in volume percentage terms) of nightwear in 2000 were:

- India: 38 percent
- China: 18 percent
- Turkey: 16 percent - Tunisia: 6 percent
- Pakistan: 3 percent
- Belgium: 3 percent
- Morocco: 3 percent
- Portugal: 2 percent
- Madagascar: 2 percent
- Macao: 2 percent

* U.S. Market Position

In 2000, U.S. imports represented 0.31 percent of the total import market. The main reason for this low level of imports is that major U.S. companies have established subsidiaries in France and are producing products locally. In fact, American companies dominate the European lingerie market and are market leaders in France. They include Sara Lee (Dim, Playtex, Rosy, Chantal Thomas, Wonderbra), Warnaco (Warner's, Calvin Klein, Lejaby), and Vanity Fair Corporation (Bestform, Variance, Vassarette, Lou, Bolero). French women are very attracted to American brands, and these brands will continue to maintain a strong presence in the French market.
END-USER ANALYSIS

The younger generation prefers "sporty"lingerie and is looking primarily for comfort. According to market analysts, most women choose their lingerie with as much care as they choose cosmetics. Consumers are increasingly taking into account such factors as quality, health considerations, general well-being, and safety. These factors should increasingly be taken into consideration, as they might impact on consumers' buying habits.

Criteria for selecting lingerie often varies according to a woman's lifestyle. Simplicity, emotion, seduction, and comfort are words used when women talk about their choice of lingerie.
French women are sensitive to tones and textures. They have a preference for soft fabrics (with microfibers);
practical fabrics (easy-care, non-allergenic); attractive fabrics (with lace, embroidery, quilted satin); transparent voile (satin crepe, cotton ottoman).
MARKET ACCESS

Import Climate

French importers pay VAT (Value Added Tax) at the rate of 19.6 percent of the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value on imported goods, as do all products including those produced and sold in France. Importers also pay customs duties of 14 percent when clearing goods through customs, which is the standard duty applied to apparel products in France.
There are no quotas on imports of apparel goods manufactured in the United States. However, there are some labeling requirements which must be met. Fabric content giving the percentage of the different fibers composing the final product is mandatory on apparel product labels.
Care, size, origin, and washing instructions are not mandatory. However, if they are included they must be in French. Symbols may be used, but only with the agreement of the French Committee for Fabric Care Labels (Comite Francais de l'Etiquetage Pour l'Entretien des Textiles - COFRET).

The country of origin is not mandatory on the label. However, the exporter must be able to present a certificate of origin to customs authorities. The certificate of origin should correspond directly to the label on the piece of apparel (i.e., if the certificate of origin indicates that products come from theUnited States, the label must state "made in U.S.A").

Distribution/Business Practices

The main distribution networks in 1999 in France were the following:

Hyper and super markets: 26 percent
Specialized chains: 25 percent
Catalog sales: 16 percent
Independent stores: 15 percent
High-end department stores: 7 percent Others (including
Mid-range department stores: 11 percent

Specialized chains, in particular, are quickly gaining market share. Most of them are targeting young customers with attractive prices. Over the past ten years, their market share has doubled. Internet sales are also expected to gain market share in the years to come, as internet shopping offers certain advantages to the female consumers. Examples of such specilized stores are Samy Lingerie, Darjeeling, and Body One.
Distribution

Agents and distributors:

In France, distributor margins vary between 30 and 35 percent depending on the services provided. In contrast, an agent or representative's commission usually runs between 10 and 15 percent. French lingerie distributors usually pay for their orders in 90 to 120 days.
An agent works with retailers and end-users to promote the company's products. Agents frequently request exclusive representation. Agents are protected by a number of laws in France. If an American manufacturer of lingerie wishes to terminate his business relationship with an agent prior to the expiration of the contract, the agent must first be contacted and given the opportunity to improve his performance. If the manufacturer still wishes to end the relationship after these steps have been taken, the agent has the right to retain the names of all contacts, clients, and related sales information. The manufacturer may purchase this information from the agent, but it is often expensive. Lastly, the manufacturer may often owe the agent a severance payment ranging from one to two years of the agent's anticipated future commissions.

A distributor purchases products from the U.S. manufacturer, then adds a 30 to 40 percent markup to cover commissions, credit risk, after-sales service, and the cost of carrying a local inventory to meet small orders. Value Added Tax (VAT) and customs tariffs are normally paid by the distributor. French distributors also often request exclusive contracts. Many U.S. companies use a distributor when introducing a product which is the result of a new technology or design. The distributor shares much of the same legal protections as the agent. If termination occurs prior to contract expiration, the usual termination costs equal the value of the distributor's expected profits over a two-year period. Furthermore, a distributor representing a U.S. -- or any other country's -- company in France controls the product's marketing strategy and image. The distributor is also not obliged to communicate market research information to the U.S. manufacturer. It is therefore important to select a distributor that fully understands and is willing to adhere to the American company's goals and objectives.

Establishing a subsidiary:

Establishing a subsidiary offers several advantages to the manufacturer. These include: more control over distribution practices; the ability to adapt quickly to the evolving needs of the market; more direct influence over the training of personnel; and better control over unauthorized dissemination of the technology for which the U.S. firm holds a patent. However, a subsidiary involves a much greater financial investment and the responsibility of maintaining assets and employees in a foreign country.
Department store buyers:

GALERIES LAFAYETTE
40, boulevard Haussmann
75009 Paris Tel: (33-1) 42.82.35.80
Fax: (33-1) 42.82.80.37
Buyer for lingerie: Ms. Nathalie Leroy Brimberg

PRINTEMPS
102, rue de Provence
75009 Paris
Tel: (33-1) 01.42.82.46.36
Fax: (33-1) 01.42.82.41.34
Buyer for lingerie: Ms. Maniere

AU BON MARCHE
5, rue de Babylone
75006 Paris
Tel: (33-1) 44.39.81.84
Fax: (33-1) 44.39.80.86
Buyer for lingerie (daywear): Mrs. Christiane Barbier
Buyer for lingerie (nightwear): Ms. Sophie Korber
Tel: (33-1) 44.39.81.54
Fax: (33-1) 44.39.80.86
BAZAR DE L'HOTEL DE VILLE (BHV)
55, rue de la Verrerie
75004 Paris
Tel: (33-1) 42.74.93.92
Fax: (33-1) 42.74.94.26
Buyer for lingerie: Mrs. Jallet

SAMARITAINE
19,rue de la Monnaie
75001 Paris
Tel: (33-1) 40.41.22.31
Fax: (33-1) 40.41.22.46
Buyer for lingerie: Mrs. Girard

Mail-order house buyers:

LA REDOUTE
57, rue Blanchemaille
59100 Roubaix
Tel: (33-3) 28.90.67.36
Fax: (33-3) 20.69.70.32
Buyer for lingerie: Mrs. ValŽrie DhŽrin

LES TROIS SUISSES
12, rue de la Centenaire
59170 Croix
Tel: (33-3) 20.20.27.57
Fax: (33-3) 20.20.30.13
Buyer for lingerie (daywear): Mrs. Gennevi�ve Van De Wiel
Buyer for lingerie (nightwear): Ms. Valerie Triboulet
Tel: (33-3) 20.20.33.58
Fax: (33-3) 20.20.30.13

QUELLE
445, boulevard Gambetta
59200 Tourcoing
Tel: (33-3) 20.11.76.23
Fax: (33-3) 20.11.48.23
Buyer for lingerie: Mrs. Aurelie Vincent

BLANCHE PORTE
2, rue de la Blanche Porte
59200 Tourcoing
Tel: (33-3) 20.28.21.49
Fax: (33-3) 20.28.20.05
Buyer for lingerie: Mrs. Maryvonne Ladureau

Lingerie/Swimwear chains:

BAISER SAUVAGE
13, rue de la Poste
74000 Annecy
Tel: (33-4) 50.51.70.03
Fax: (33-4) 50.51.70.04
Buyer for lingerie/swimwear: Ms. Christine Bordone

BODY ONE
14, rue de l'Epine prolongŽe
93170 Bagnolet
Tel: (33-1) 41.58.17.17
Fax: (33-1) 48.70.11.25
Buyer for lingerie/swimwear: Ms. HŽl�ne Rabadan

DARJEELING
19, rue de la Gare
94134 Cachan
Tel: (33-1) 49.69.18.00
Fax: (33-1) 49.86.09.03
Buyer for lingerie/swimwear: Ms. Le Gall

ETAM
69/73 boulevard Victor Hugo
93400 Saint Ouen
Tel: (33-1) 49.48.70.70
Fax: (33-1) 49.48.72.79
Buyer for lingerie/swimwear: Ms. Sarah Berthet

ORCANTA
6, rue HalŽvy
75009 Paris
Tel: (33-1) 47.42.49.47
Fax: (33-1) 47.42.49.46

PRINCESSE TAM TAM
39, rue Maurice Gunsbourg
94200 Ivry sur Seine
Tel: (33-1) 49.59.02.02
Fax: (33-1) 46.58.56.57
Buyer for lingerie/swimwear: Ms. Fabienne Brethes

SAMY LINGERIE
151 bis rue de Renne
75006 Paris
Tel: (33-1) 42.22.94.00
Fax: (33-1) 45.44.35.96
Buyer for lingerie/swimwear: Mr. Chimchi

VALEGE DISTRIBUTION 117, boulevard Felix Faure
93300 Aubervilliers
Tel: (33-1) 53.56.07.10
Fax: (33-1) 53.56.07.17
Contact for lingerie/swimwear: Mr. Jean Marc Perez

* Trade Promotion Opportunities

Every year an international lingerie exhibition (Salon International de la Lingerie) is held in Paris. It is very well attended by buyers and visitors from all over the world. The next exhibition will be held January 25-28, 2002.
Name: Salon de la Lingerie (Lingerie Trade Show)
Location: Porte de Versailles - Paris fairgrounds
Dates: January 25-28, 2002
Frequency: Annual
Contact: Eurovet
37-39, rue de Neuilly
92110 Clichy
Tel: (33-1) 47.56.32.32
Fax: (33-1) 47.56.32.99
lingerie-paris@la-federation.com
www.lingerie-paris.com
Mr. Jehan Quettier, Director
Ms. Claire Jonathan, Product Manager

The last lingerie trade show featured 480 international brands and welcomed 20,700 visitors.

Name: Lyon Mode City
Location: Eurexpo - Lyon fairgrounds
Dates: September 2002
Frequency: Annual
Contact: FŽdŽration de la Maille
(Knitting Trade Association)
37-39, rue de Neuilly
92110 Clichy
Tel: (33-1) 47.56.32.32
Fax: (33-1)47.56.32.99
lmc@la-federation.com
Mr. Jehan Quettier, Director
Ms. Claire Jonathan, Product Manager

Lyon Mode City is now considered as one of the leading European shows for the swimwear and lingerie industry. The last Lyon Mode City trade show presented 960 international brands and welcomed 18,000 international visitors. Lyon Mode City is mainly designed for retailers, distributors, agents, department stores buyers, mail order buyers, specialized chain store buyers, and manufacturers of lingerie and swimwear.

U.S. Department of Commerce assistance to American exporters

The U.S. Department of Commerce organizes a U.S. Pavilion at Lyon Mode City (the swimwear and lingerie trade show) and at the Lingerie Trade Show which takes place each year. For more information on U.S. government initiatives to promote lingerie and swimwear, please contact:

Pamela Kirkland
International Trade Specialist
U.S. Department of Commerce
International Trade Administration
14th & Constitution avenue, NW
Washington D.C. 20230
Tel: (202) 482- 3587
Fax: (202) 482-2859 E-mail: pamela_kirkland@ita.doc.gov

DISCLAIMER
Information in this report relies on sources including Government Publications, Opinions of industry experts and other public sources. Infomat can accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for loss or damage caused by any use thereof. All prices subject to change without notice.

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Published: 2006 August
Market: Mens Womens Childrens
Region: France
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