Recently, according to the Economic Research Institute of the French Institute of Fashion, the French textile industry has shown a noticeable improvement in consumer spending. In August, the value of textile sales rose by 8.2%, marking a positive shift compared to previous years. While this figure is still below the levels recorded in the same period in 2007, it represents a significant recovery from the sharp declines seen in 2008 (-9.8%) and 2009 (-13.3%). This suggests that the sector is gradually regaining momentum after years of economic challenges.

The growth was not uniform across all retail channels. Large department stores saw a strong increase of 20.1% in textile sales, driven partly by the weaker euro and increased tourist spending. Volkswagen stores also performed well, with a 13.8% rise, while specialty stores reported a 5.8% increase. Individual retailers experienced an 8.9% growth, and large retail chains saw a 7.7% rise. However, hypermarkets had a more modest increase of just 2.9%, indicating that they may be struggling to keep up with changing consumer preferences.

Looking at specific product categories, children's clothing remained highly popular, with a 13% increase compared to the previous month, reversing the negative trend seen in July. Women's fashion saw a substantial 19% rise, while men's fashion grew by 10.5%. On the other hand, men's underwear only managed a 0.4% increase, and women's underwear actually declined by 0.7%. These figures highlight the uneven performance across different segments, with some areas showing strong demand while others remain sluggish. Overall, the data reflects a mixed but improving outlook for the French textile market.