Dickies Deal Puts Spotlight on $30 Billion Workwear Industry
- VF Corp. adds to roster that includes Wrangler, Timberland
- Company hopes to capitalize on fragmented career-wear segment
Coveralls and painter’s pants are trouncing haute couture.
As teen fashion, women’s lingerie and menswear all struggle to maintain sales growth, one segment of the apparel business is showing surprising strength this year: industrial workwear. VF Corp.’s $820 million acquisition of Dickies parent Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Co., which also makes hospital garments, is the latest sign of health in the $30 billion global market for workwear.