Plummeting Hosiery Sales Signal Change

December 12, 2006

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December 12, 2006

Fashion choices and a generation gap add up to a plunge in the pantyhose market. That's according to one of the industry leaders. Hanes says its sales of hosiery, including leggings, tights and socks, have dropped almost 70 percent in the last decade.

RENEE MONTAGNE, host:

Our last word in business this morning comes from the underwear and hosiery company, Hanes Brand.

(Soundbite of TV advertisement)

Unidentified Woman (Singer): (Singing) The look of love is in your eyes…

Unidentified Man: You'll know it…

MONTAGNE: That ad, as you might be able to tell for the music, ran back in 1970. But apparently, women aren't buying pantyhose like they use to. The company says 10 years ago, women wore pantyhose an average of three and a half times a week. Now the average is down to less than twice a week, according to the Associated Press.

While Hanes Brands is working on product innovations, satirist Amy Sedaris could offer them a tip or two. In her latest book, she recounts how she used a pair of pantyhose to wrap an ice bag around her head to soothe her bruised nose.

This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

STEVE INSKEEP, host:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

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