Supply Chain Insights:Athletic Socks—A Cotton Opportunity

Accounting for 43% of the total sock offerings at U.S. retailers， athletic socks are gaining attention from industry and consumers. Consumers now view socks as \"equipment\" and choose socks that enhance their athletic performance.Major athletic brands have capitalized on this trend by expanding their product lines to include performance socks. Following recent trends in athletic apparel， retail offerings of athletic socks have shifted towards synthetic fibers-according to data from Cotton Incorporated's Retail Monitor^TM， the percentage of cotton-dominant (51%-100% cotton) athletic socks in stores declined from 46% in 2007 to 34% in 2009. This trend runs counter to consumers' preference for cotton in athletic socks， expressed in recent consumer surveys and wear tests.