New Zealand's Online Apparel Sector Grows As Athleisure Silhouettes Diversify

New Zealand consumers spent $6.09 billion online in 2024, representing a five percent increase on 2023, according to NZ Post's eCommerce Spotlight report. Online spending continued to accelerate into 2025, with first-quarter figures reaching $1.5 billion, a seven percent year-on-year increase. The clothing and footwear category has been a consistent contributor to this growth, as more consumers bypass physical retail in favour of digital platforms that offer broader product ranges, detailed sizing guidance, and streamlined returns processes. This behavioural shift has proved particularly pronounced in activewear, where technical product specifications and niche sizing requirements align naturally with the information-rich environment of online retail.

Within this expanding digital channel, demand for lower-body compression garments designed for both training and everyday use has strengthened significantly across New Zealand. Consumers researching and purchasing compression pants in NZ represent a growing segment of the activewear market, with Straits Research reporting that the fashion outer, pants, and t-shirts segment accounted for 40 percent of the global activewear market in 2025. Compression leggings and tights have become particularly popular among consumers seeking garments that transition between gym sessions, outdoor exercise, and casual daily wear without compromising on performance features such as muscle support and moisture wicking.

Alongside the continued dominance of traditional compression silhouettes, a notable shift toward flared and bootcut activewear styles has reshaped consumer preferences across Australasia and beyond. Grand View Research reports that online sales of activewear are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.5 percent through to 2033, with non-traditional silhouettes driving a meaningful share of that expansion. New Zealand consumers seeking high rise flares in NZ reflect this international trend, with flared leggings gaining particular traction among women who value the lengthening visual effect and unrestricted ankle movement that the silhouette provides during yoga, Pilates, and studio-based training.

Providers such as Evom Fitwear have expanded their product ranges to accommodate both traditional compression fits and newer silhouettes, offering New Zealand consumers locally stocked options across multiple activewear categories. As the domestic online apparel market matures and consumer expectations around fit, fabric technology, and styling versatility continue to evolve, the intersection of compression performance and fashion-forward design is expected to remain a defining feature of the New Zealand activewear landscape.

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