If you thought your clothing was safe from technology, connected clothes are on the way to a US$1 billion industry in 2020, with "smartwatches and fitness tracker sales to slow over next two years, representing 31% and 6% CAGRs".
The latest study from the gurus at Juniper Research has found that "the wearables market has begun to shift away from wrist-based devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, with other device categories forecast to grow much faster".
Here's how Juniper ranks the fastest growing wearable sectors, in terms of shipments, over the next two years:
- Connected Clothing (102% CAGR)
- Smart Glasses (98%)
- Smart Jewellery (55%)
- Hearables (31%)
- Smartwatches (31%)
{loadposition alex08}So, does this mean "XL growth" for connected clothing?
Juniper's new research would suggest yes. It is entitled "Smart Wearables: Competitor Strategies, Opportunities & Forecasts 2018-2022", and, as always, is on sale to relevant parties at relevant prices.
The research "forecasts that the total smart wearables market will reach nearly 350 million devices shipped by 2020".
Now, while the market is "currently dominated by smartwatches and activity trackers, with 137 million devices expected to be shipped in 2018", we're told that "growth will slow, shipping almost 190 million by 2020 as the lifecycle of devices lengthens as fewer new features and a software focus delay repeat purchases".
Indeed, Juniper says it "expects connected clothing to accelerate in the coming years, thanks to developments in conductive fabric, alongside smart sportswear from companies like Sensoria, Lumo and Under Armour. This sector will ship over seven million by 2020, before reaching nearly 30 million in 2022".
What about healthcare topping service revenues?
Here, Juniper notes that its research "argued that as device types broaden and purchase cycles lengthen, companies will need to focus on software and data services to maintain their revenues".
"The largest market for these subscription services will be healthcare, with services payable to vendors like AliveCor and Quell exceeding $2.5 billion by 2022."
In addition, we're told that "other segments will struggle to monetise data services, with consumer fitness and smartwatch service revenues generating a combined $125 million in 2022".
Research author James Moar explained: “A key challenge for wearables is to provide a concrete benefit or unique data. All our top growth segments either provide in-depth data from specialised form factors, or benefits that do not involve data at all.”
For more sector insights, and to tempt you into purchasing Juniper Research full research, you can download the company's complimentary whitepaper: "Where Now for Wearables?"
