As consumption of activewear focused on running and outdoor activities (clothes that can be worn for both exercise and daily life) is rising quickly, the golf wear market recorded negative growth. The golf wear market, which grew rapidly during the pandemic, is staying in a prolonged slump as demand among people in their 20s and 30s slows and consumer trends shift.
According to the Korea Federation of Textile Industries on Apr. 8, fashion consumption for the 2025 winter season (December last year to February this year) totaled 21 trillion 14.3 billion won. By category, casualwear purchases reached 6.5617 trillion won, up 18.6% from a year earlier. During the same period, outdoor (2.5258 trillion won) rose 22.5%, and sportswear (2.6206 trillion won) also increased 8.9%. In contrast, golf wear (710 billion won) fell 16.1%.
The recent slump in the golf wear market is continuing. Running and hiking are drawing attention among people in their 20s and 30s, who led golf wear market growth during the pandemic, and the golf population is steadily declining. The number of domestic golf course users was 50.58 million in 2022, then 47.72 million in 2023, 47.41 million in 2024, and 46.41 million last year, decreasing every year.
Creas F&C saw its revenue and operating profit plunge from 2022 to 2024, and it swung to a loss last year, posting a 47.2 billion won deficit. Creas F&C sells golf wear under license agreements with overseas brands such as Pearly Gates, Ping, and St. Andrews.
Hyungji Global, which operates the golf wear brand Castelbajac, continued to post losses, recording operating losses in the 8 billion won range last year. The net loss came to 34.5 billion won, more than double from the previous year. As of last year, golf wear accounted for 78.2% of Hyungji Global's sales.
With the downturn persisting for several years, big-name brands exited the business and smaller brands faced worsening management difficulties. LF Corp. withdrew Random Golf Club and Samsung C&T pulled Maison Kitsuné Golf just a year after their launches. Hansae MK streamlined operations by reducing PGA Tour and LPGA golf wear stores.
CDC Golf & Sports, a small and midsize apparel manufacturer that operates the premium golf wear brand "Crack & Carl Golf," is undergoing rehabilitation proceedings. Shinhan Korea, which runs the golf wear brand "JDX," applied for rehabilitation in April last year due to management difficulties but exited court receivership after its rehabilitation plan was approved late the same year.
This contrasts with the running and outdoor markets, where the inflow of people in their 20s and 30s is steadily increasing and growth is evident. The industry estimates the domestic running population at about 10 million. That is more than double from about 5 million in 2017. As of 2024, the domestic sneaker market is about 4 trillion won, of which running shoes are estimated to account for about 1 trillion won.
Marketing competition in retail to capture running demand is intensifying. Not only are sports and outdoor brands strengthening their running categories, but department stores and convenience stores are also expanding running-dedicated spaces, trial services, and sports and outdoor offerings.
Hyundai Department Store opened a dedicated specialty space called "Running Club" at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul. It brought running-related brands together in one place and set up an experience zone where products can be tested. Convenience store CU opened a running-specialized store, "Running Station Signature Store No. 1," near the Han River in Yeouido.