Childrenswear shows strength of character Kidswear brands and retailers are dusting off their school uniforms and preparing for a return to the playground. We examine whether the market has proved resilient throughout Covid-19 and look at what’s in store for 2021. Marks & Spencer spring/summer 21 The last 12 months have been devastating for many categories of the fashion industry, as housebound shoppers had little reason to dress up and no holidays to shop for. But there is one market where where growth is literally guaranteed: childrenswear. Growing children need a continuous supply of new clothing to fit them. Nevertheless, the market has not been completely immune to the impact of Covid – although it did not decline in value as much as men’s and women's wear. Kantar reports that in 2020, UK childrenswear sales fell by 11.1%, to £4.8bn, compared with a fall of 23.7% for men’s and women's wear combined to £29bn. For the 12 weeks to 12 January 2021 the gap widened: childrenswear sales fell 7.7% year on year to £1.3bn, , while men’s and women's wear declined by almost three times that, at 20.8%.