Imported Versus U.S.-Produced Ladies' Sportswear: Retail Buyers' Attitudes and Practices

Abstract

Ladies' sportswear buyers for retail establishments were surveyed regarding attitudes and buying practices. Hypotheses were tested concerning buyers' 1) perceptions of quality of imports, 2) awareness of the impact of imported apparel on the domestic industry, and 3) opinions and practices by type of store—department, discount, specialty—for which they worked. Most buyers reported purchasing imports and only 8% indicated they made less profit on them. Buyers were almost equally divided on whether or not imports hurt the domestic industry.

Results of chi-square tests indicated that 1) buyers' perception of quality differed relative to profit made on imports and by range of high price points purchased; 2) buyers' awareness of impact of imported apparel on the domestic industry differed relative to percentage of imports purchased, reason given for that opinion, profit made on imports, and whether imports were obtained from Korea; 3) buyers for department, discount, and specialty stores differed relative to percentage of sportswear bought by the resident buying office and price line of merchandise.