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Chenille, velvets, and apparel-type fabrics will continue to be popular for upholstery. But consumers continually want something new and fresh. A new spin on an old concept keeps these products popular with consumers. For example, chenille yarns are combined with traditional yarns in intricate jacquard patterns, with the traditional and pile yarns alternating on the fabric surface to achieve unique pile and flat-woven structures. Velvets reflect this trend as well, as designers attempt to marry flat and pile structures in unique offerings. Velvets also lend themselves to creative finishes, such as embossing and crushing, which offer a more cost-effective way to introduce surface interest.

All segments of the apparel market posted increases in both dollar and unit sales for the first four months of 2000 over the same period last year. Men's apparel sales were up 3.6% in dollars and 6.9% in units, indicating a lower average garment price. Leading categories in men's apparel were slacks, denim jeans, and sweaters. Women's apparel increased 1.9% in dollar sales and 1.6% in unit sales for the period, with growth due primarily to strong sales in denim jeans, shirts and blouses, pajamas, and dresses. The children's market grew 2.3% in dollar sales and 1.2% in unit sales. Boys' sport shirts and pajamas and girls' shirts and blouses and pajamas posted strong year-over-year gains in both unit and dollar sales. All market segments gained in cotton share (on a fiber-weight basis); cotton's share for the period was 58.4%, up from 57.5% last year.

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Spending on home fabrics grew 6.4% for the four-month period, as unit sales increased 6.3%. Activity in the sheet and towel markets was strong, with unit sales up 3.0% and 3.9%, respectively. Consumers continued to show their preference for cotton bedding, as sales of 100% cotton sheets and sheet sets posted robust increases for the period. Dollar sales of towels increased 5.6%, and sales of blankets and quilts/comforters remained strong. Cotton's share of home fabrics was 64.1%, slightly higher than for the same period last year. 

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Spending on home fabrics grew 5.4% in 1999, while unit sales increased 3.3%, indicating some upward pressure on retail price. Activity in the sheet and towel markets was robust, with unit sales growing 5.2% and 4.2%, respectively. Consumers continued to show their preference for cotton, as sales of 100% cotton sheets and sheet sets posted double-digit increases. Dollar sales of towels increased only 1.9%. Sales of blankets and quilts/comforters were strong. Cotton’s share of home fabrics was 63.2% in 1999, nearly one point higher than in 1998.