Show Notes

The 966, episode #131, with Reiting Lee, Founder of The Oriental Hybrid, explores the impact of the growing participation in sports and healthy activities in Saudi Arabia on the fashion industry, particularly sportswear and athleisure.

Reiting Lee is deeply involved in the youth, sportswear and streetwear fashion sectors in Saudi Arabia and the region and is the dynamic founder of The Oriental Hybrid, a boutique consulting firm specializing in innovation strategy and intercultural communications, that serves Arab fashion brands and provides market insights and trend analysis for corporates and media outside of Saudi Arabia.

The sportswear athleisure market in Saudi Arabia is currently valued at $1.3 billion and is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2027, with an annual growth rate of 13%. The primary factors driving this lifestyle change and participation include social media influence, health awareness, overseas education, and government initiatives. Soccer, basketball, yoga, and volleyball are popular sports influencing fashion choices in Saudi Arabia.

International brands like Adidas, Nike, Puma, and Fila dominate the market, with Adidas being the market leader.

The Saudi 100 brand initiative, launched in 2021, aims to promote Saudi brands, including sportswear and streetwear.

The sector has tremendous potential for growth, with opportunities for more female founders and female-friendly products. Collaboration between Saudi brands and international brands, as well as investment in localized campaigns and designs, can further accelerate the sector. The boost in tourism in Saudi Arabia is also expected to contribute to the growth of the sector. The conversation concludes with optimism about the future of Saudi sportswear and the potential for Saudi brands to become prominent in the global market.

Takeaways

• The sportswear athleisure market in Saudi Arabia is growing rapidly, with a current value of $1.3 billion and an expected growth to $1.5 billion by 2027.
• Social media influence, health awareness, overseas education, and government initiatives are driving the lifestyle change and participation in sports and healthy activities in Saudi Arabia.
• Soccer, basketball, yoga, and volleyball are popular sports that are influencing fashion choices in Saudi Arabia.
• International brands like Adidas, Nike, Puma, and Fila dominate the sportswear market in Saudi Arabia.
• The Saudi 100 brand initiative aims to promote Saudi brands, including sportswear and streetwear, and there is potential for more female founders and female-friendly products in the sector.
• Collaboration between Saudi brands and international brands, investment in localized campaigns and designs, and the boost in tourism in Saudi Arabia can further accelerate the growth of the sportswear sector.

Titles

• The Impact of Sports Participation on Saudi Fashion
• The Future of Saudi Sportswear: Growth and Potential

Sound Bites

• "The sportswear category has generated $1.3 billion in 2022 and is still expected to grow more and reach $1.5 billion in 2027."
• "The boost and investment into the tourism of Saudi Arabia will also definitely accelerate the sector."
• "Out of the Saudi 100 brands, 34 of those brands are under the category of sportswear and streetwear."

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background of Oriental Hybrid

03:07The Impact of Sports Participation on Saudi Fashion

05:15The Growth of the Sportswear Category in Saudi Arabia

09:28The Dominance of International Brands in the Saudi Market

11:50The Emergence of Saudi Brands and the Saudi 100 Program

16:21The Most Influential Sports in Saudi Arabia

20:36The Future Potential of the Sportswear and Athleisure Market

23:12Women-Only Gyms and Modesty in Sportswear

26:46Conclusion and Outlook for the Sector

Keywords

Saudi Arabia, sports participation, fashion industry, sportswear, athleisure, Oriental Hybrid, innovation strategy, intercultural communications, market insights, trend analysis, social media influence, health awareness, overseas education, government initiatives, soccer, basketball, yoga, volleyball, international brands, Adidas, Nike, Puma, Fila, Saudi 100 brand initiative, female founders, female-friendly products, collaboration, localized campaigns, tourism, growth potential