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Textile Wholesaling in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Nina Koefler Nina Koefler Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: December 2024 WZ G46.41DE

Revenue

€4.4bn

2024

€4.4bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

12,365

Businesses

1,294

Wages

€XXX.Xm

Textile Wholesaling in Germany industry analysis

In the last five years, industry sales have been subject to strong fluctuations and have not followed a clear trend. It initially shrank in the years before the coronavirus pandemic, only to rise sharply during the crisis. As the easing of restrictions increased the opportunities for private consumption again and the measures to upgrade people's homes were completed in most cases, industry sales began to decline in 2022. This is likely to continue in the current year, with IBISWorld expecting a year-on-year decline of 1.9% to EUR 4.4 billion. Due to the increases in sales in 2020 and 2021, there will be slight growth of 1.3% per year on average for the entire period from 2019 to 2024. However, this is only a brief interruption to the negative sales trend, which is due to the ongoing bypassing of wholesalers by retailers and other large customers, who are increasingly sourcing their textiles directly from manufacturers.In the current year, the industry continues to face difficult conditions. Persistently high prices, a subdued consumer climate and difficulties in the supply chain at the beginning of the year are putting pressure on the textile wholesale trade. Competition from online and mail order companies, which make it easier for traditional textile buyers such as specialist retailers to bypass wholesalers, also poses a threat to wholesalers' business. The steady expansion of online shopping is therefore having a very negative impact on wholesalers' sales. However, the improved business climate and increasing consumer spending on home and household furnishings should have a positive impact on demand for textiles in the current year. < />An average annual decline in sales of 1.2% to 4.2 billion euros is expected for the period up to 2029. Although the expected increase in private household spending on home textiles and bedding and the trend towards more sustainable and generally more expensive textiles are likely to have a positive impact on industry sales, they will not be able to fully offset the effects of retailers and online retailers increasingly bypassing wholesalers. A downward trend is also expected to continue in textile wholesale over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

  • After the temporary increase in sales during the coronavirus pandemic, textile wholesalers must expect to see a drop in sales again in the future. This is mainly due to the increasing direct sales of manufacturers, which is causing the industry to lose revenue.
  • During the coronavirus pandemic, demand for home textiles has increased as consumers have spent more time at home due to contact restrictions, wear and tear on existing household furnishings has increased and the need for new furnishings has risen.
  • Wholesalers benefit from a high retail density in the vicinity of their locations. Proximity to this important customer group means short transport routes and makes it easier to build long-term, stable customer relationships. Retailers prefer to locate in densely populated areas such as the centre region.
  • There is a fierce price war on the market. Large customers such as retail or hotel chains exert considerable price pressure on industry players. It is often not possible to differentiate strongly through the composition of the product range or quality features.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €4.4bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Working from home has increased spending on home textiles

  • In the course of the lockdown policy at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, employees spent much more time at home. By shifting many activities to the home office, many jobs could be continued without the risk of infection.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Textile Wholesaling in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Mail order and online retail will continue to drive wholesalers into a corner

  • The bypassing of wholesalers, which is being fuelled by the growing mail order and online trade, is likely to further intensify external competition. Textile manufacturers are expected to supply more and more retailers and other corporate customers directly.

Biggest companies in the Textile Wholesaling in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
W. & L. Jordan GmbH
74.2
Madeira Garne Ulrich + Michael Schmidt & Co. GmbH
19.1
Zimmer + Rohde GmbH
14.8

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Textile Wholesaling in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Home textiles, Bedding and Haberdashery and accessories. Home textiles is the largest segment of the Textile Wholesaling in Germany.

Trends and Insights

The relocation of the workplace to the home increases the demand for home textiles

  • The most important product group in the industry is textiles for domestic use. These include curtains, drapes, blinds, towels, cloths, dusters, tablecloths, chair covers and bed linen. The products are available in various price ranges, but are generally significantly cheaper than bedding.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The wholesale trade in textiles is concerned with the sale of decorative and furnishing fabrics, bedding such as mattresses and blankets, sewing supplies such as needles and yarns as well as household items to retailers and other companies. The sector does not include the wholesale of clothing and the wholesale of textile fibres.

What's included in this industry?

Home textilesBeddingHaberdashery and accessoriesDecorative textile goods

Companies

W. & L. Jordan GmbHMadeira Garne Ulrich + Michael Schmidt & Co. GmbHZimmer + Rohde GmbH

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

SHORT GOODSBEDDINGENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP)

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 46.41 - Textile Wholesaling in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

After the temporary increase in sales during the coronavirus pandemic, textile wholesalers must expect to see a drop in sales again in the future. This is mainly due to the i...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

During the coronavirus pandemic, demand for home textiles has increased as consumers have spent more time at home due to contact restrictions, wear and tear on existing househ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Wholesalers benefit from a high retail density in the vicinity of their locations. Proximity to this important customer group means short transport routes and makes it easier...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

There is a fierce price war on the market. Large customers such as retail or hotel chains exert considerable price pressure on industry players. It is often not possible to d...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

In recent years, some of the few larger companies in the industry have shifted their focus from wholesale to retail. In the highly fragmented market, it is mainly small playe...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of W. & L. Jordan GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Madeira Garne Ulrich + Michael Schmidt & Co. GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Zimmer + Rohde GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for W. & L. Jordan GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Madeira Garne Ulrich + Michael Schmidt & Co. GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Zimmer + Rohde GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Growing online retail is threatening the business model of brick-and-mortar wholesalers. Although it also offers them opportunities to broaden their sales organisation, above...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The industry's profitability is on a downward trend. This is due to intense competition and the increasing displacement of wholesalers from the value chain.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Textile Wholesaling industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Textile Wholesaling industry in Germany is €4.4bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Textile Wholesaling in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 1,294 businesses in the Textile Wholesaling industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Textile Wholesaling industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Textile Wholesaling industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 1.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Textile Wholesaling industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Textile Wholesaling industry in Germany is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Textile Wholesaling market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Textile Wholesaling market in Germany are W. & L. Jordan GmbH, Madeira Garne Ulrich + Michael Schmidt & Co. GmbH and Zimmer + Rohde GmbH

What does the Textile Wholesaling in Germany include?

Home textiles and Bedding are part of the Textile Wholesaling industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Textile Wholesaling in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is W. & L. Jordan GmbH.

How competitive is the Textile Wholesaling industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Textile Wholesaling industry in Germany.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.