Date：2026-07-27 10:17:25
Against the backdrop of the textile e-commerce market exceeding 3.5 trillion yuan in scale, segmented consumption of hosiery products is undergoing structural upgrading. Consumer demands have witnessed a fundamental shift from merely pursuing comfortable wear to actively enjoying hosiery as part of lifestyle. Young consumer groups represented by Generation Z no longer regard socks as basic apparel, but as a medium for styling expression and emotional individuality. Varieties including retro slouch socks, hollow-out stockings, colour-blocked sports socks and IP co-branded children’s socks have seen their online sales double year after year. Fashion trends such as “showing socks while covering ankles” keep driving robust sales of trendy hosiery. Young shoppers are willing to pay a premium for distinctive designs and unique styles, accompanied by markedly improved repurchase intentions. Meanwhile, niche user groups such as sports enthusiasts, office workers who stand for long hours, families with infants and people with diabetes have unlocked a blue ocean for functional hosiery. An obvious trend of consumption segmentation can be observed. Differentiated and scenario-specific products have become the core driver of market growth, pointing the industry toward brand-new growth avenues.
The 21st Shanghai International Hosiery Purchasing Expo (CHPE 2027), co-hosted by ITE Exhibition, Shanghai Gehua Exhibition Planning Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Aige Exhibition Service Co., Ltd., will grandly take place at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center from March 22 to 24, 2027. Known as the flagship exhibition for the global hosiery industry, this major industry event is in full swing of preparation. Covering an estimated total exhibition area of 50,000 square metres, it will gather nearly 500 premium exhibitors at home and abroad and approximately 30,000 global professional buyers, building an all-in-one hosiery trading platform featuring two-way empowerment for domestic & foreign trade as well as online & offline business. Compared with previous editions, the upcoming expo offers in-depth insights into market shifts and fully upgrades its offerings to align with evolving consumer demands. The categories of exhibited hosiery products already foreshadow numerous highlights of the show.
High-count combed cotton socks, silk-infused moisturising socks, bamboo-fibre breathable socks, fungus grass antibacterial and odour-resistant socks and similar items sustain mass market rigid demand. Seamless toe closure eliminates chafing, while natural eco-friendly fabrics deliver soft skin-friendliness and long-lasting breathability. Solid-colour minimalist designs and anti-slip indoor styles cater to daily scenarios including commuting, campus life and home use. Such products maintain a terminal repurchase rate consistently above 60%, ranking as core fast-moving items for supermarkets, live-stream e-commerce and offline multi-brand stores. Source manufacturers from Zhuji, Haining and other regions will showcase a wide range of cost-effective basic socks, winning consumers’ favour as daily essentials thanks to reliable wearing experience.
Long-lasting silver-ion antibacterial socks, cooling summer socks, self-heating constant-temperature socks, mild compression relief socks for prolonged standing and professional outdoor sports socks have achieved widespread popularity. Custom functional socks are developed for runners, mountaineers, cyclists, yoga practitioners, mothers and diabetic patients. Leveraging functional yarns, they deliver multiple benefits including sweat wicking, shock absorption, body shaping and foot care. Outdoor categories such as Pilates anti-slip socks and professional hiking socks have surged in popularity with rising overseas demand. Functional hosiery has evolved from an optional accessory into a sought-after product category, representing the fastest-growing track within the industry.
Stockings and seamless tights are no longer limited to commuting scenarios; they have become fashion staples for Generation Z to showcase individuality. The exhibition will feature diverse styles including matte sheer nude tights, snag-resistant sheer stockings, embroidered hollow-out thigh-high socks, retro jacquard tights and JK slouch socks. Leading stocking enterprises from Yiwu and Dongyang will launch a full lineup of trendy new products suitable for daily outings, dates and parties. Sales of aesthetically appealing, well-designed hosiery keep doubling online, with high-end artistic stockings registering prominent growth. Consumers are ready to spend extra on attractive, distinctive socks, marking a shift from purchasing merely out of necessity to active selection and collection for outfit matching.
Seamless toddler walking socks, disposable travel socks, thermal ski socks, toe-separated five-toe socks and indoor floor socks accurately cover all age groups and diverse life scenarios. Differentiated positioning effectively helps enterprises escape cut-throat low-price competition and precisely satisfy exclusive demands of niche crowds, emerging as a key strategy for small and medium hosiery manufacturers to stand out. It also attracts buyers from cross-border trading companies and boutique multi-brand stores, opening up brand-new growth markets.
Zhang Zhijia, Project Director of CHPE stated: “Comfort is the baseline of products, while the desire to wear actively stands as the ultimate pursuit amid consumption upgrading. Nowadays, consumers buy socks not only for comfort, but also for compatibility with their lifestyles, dressing aesthetics and health needs. CHPE 2027 will keep focusing on the transformation of core consumer demands. We will integrate hosiery industrial clusters across China, high-quality supply chains and global procurement resources. Guided by end-consumer demands, we will drive collaborative innovation across the whole industrial chain, supporting Chinese hosiery manufacturers to develop more premium products balancing comfort, health and appearance. The expo facilitates deeper integration of China’s knitting industry into the domestic and international dual circulation development pattern, enabling more popular high-quality hosiery Made in China to reach markets worldwide.”
Registration for booth booking and professional visitor pre-registration is now fully open. Industry participants may visit the official website www.chpe.com.cn to apply for exhibition space and register for visits in advance, and jointly explore new avenues for growth amid consumption upgrading in the hosiery sector.
