GLOBAL MEDICAL SCRUBS MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)

Market Size and Trends

Global medical scrubs market is estimated to be valued at USD 48.48 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 74.21 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% from 2024 to 2031.

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The demand for medical scrubs is expected to grow at a steady pace during the forecast period. Increasing focus of hospitals and medical institutions towards ensuring safety and comfort of their staff is expected to be a key growth driver. Moreover, rising healthcare expenditure across various countries and growing emphasis on providing quality healthcare are expected to boost demand for medical scrubs. Adoption of advanced fabrics for manufacturing scrubs that have antibacterial and moisture-wicking properties is a major trend in the market. Manufacturers are focusing on launching innovative products to meet the rising demand. However, availability of cheaper alternatives might hamper the market growth to some extent.

Growing demand from healthcare professionals

Global  medical scrubs market has been witnessing significant growth over the past few years due to growing demand from the healthcare industry professionals. As the healthcare sector continues to expand globally, there has been a rise in the number of doctors, nurses and other staff working in hospitals and clinics. With increasing healthcare infrastructure and facilities, more professionals are requiring standard uniforms and dresses to maintain hygiene and convenience at the workplace. Scrubs are the most appropriate attire for healthcare workers as these are comfortable to wear for long hours and can be washed easily to maintain sterile environment in hospitals. With rising patient numbers, the pressure and workload on existing healthcare staff has also increased substantially. In such challenging work conditions, healthcare professionals prefer clothing that is easy to maintain and allows free movement when working continuously for long shifts. Medical scrubs meet this need perfectly as these are light weight, have flexible fabric and come in various styles suitable for different job roles ranging from doctors to technicians. Growing stress levels among nurses and paramedics in particular have further boosted demand for easy care garments like scrubs. Various medical conferences and workshops have also highlighted the importance of appropriate attire in the well-being of healthcare workers.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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Global medical scrubs market is experiencing significant growth due to growing awareness about hygiene and safety standards in healthcare settings globally. With the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the importance of cleanliness and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by medical professionals, there is increased focus on ensuring healthcare workers wear appropriate attire that can be cleaned easily and provides adequate protection. Various studies and guidelines by organizations like the WHO and CDC now recommend sustainable fabrics for medical scrubs that can be washed at high temperatures without discomfort to the skin or losing shape. These fabrics are also breathable and allow less retention of viruses and bacteria on them. The increased laundry cycles that healthcare facilities now undertake on a daily basis to ensure highest levels of disinfection has also boosted demand for medical scrubs that maintain durability through multiple washes. Advanced fabrics which offer fluid resistance and repellency are gaining popularity as these provide an extra layer of protection for healthcare workers attending to contagious patients.

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Global medical scrubs market faces several challenges. Increased availability of low-cost scrubs manufactured overseas has intensified price competition among companies. Strict regulations around fabrics and designs that meet fluid resistance and infection control standards narrow the scope for innovation. Strong bargaining power of large hospitals puts pricing pressure on suppliers. An aging healthcare workforce means fewer new professionals entering the market long-term. Environmental concerns around scrubs containing microplastics that release into water systems during washing could impact sales, if not addressed.

Market Opportunities: Growing e-Commerce industry

Growth in outpatient and ambulatory care is expanding the market beyond hospitals. Growing elderly population increases demand for long-term healthcare services. Customers show interest in styles and features like anti-microbial, moisture-wicking properties. Branded uniforms help foster a positive organizational culture and identity. Online sales now allow direct access of medical scrubs to healthcare professionals, thereby, creating lucrative opportunities for market growth over the forecast period.

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Type segment is sub-segmented into surgical scrubs, nursing scrubs, and lab coats. Surgical scrubs segment is anticipated to hold 45.9% of the market share in 2024. Surgical scrubs are specifically designed for surgical procedures to minimize infection risk. These are typically made from breathable fabrics like cotton that wick away moisture from the skin. This helps maintain a dry microclimate next to the skin and prevents bacterial growth. Most surgical scrubs also have anti-microbial properties that inhibit the spread of pathogens. Proper surgical attire helps ensure sterile fields and closed wounds remain uncontaminated during procedures. This is vitally important for improving surgical outcomes and preventing costly hospital-acquired infections. As the volume and complexity of surgical procedures rise globally, particularly in specialty areas like joint replacement and transplants, demand for high-quality surgical scrubs will continue increasing accordingly to support strict sterility protocols. Various regulatory mandates and practice guidelines recommending exclusive use of surgical scrubs in operating rooms have also boosted their market dominance over general-purpose lab coats and uniforms.

Insights, By Usability: Growing Demand for Disposable Medical Scrubs

Usability segment is sub-segmented into disposable and reusable. Disposable segment is estimated to contribute the highest share of the medical scrubs market and is projected to hold 57.8% of the market share in 2024. Disposable scrubs eliminate the need for regular commercial or home laundering of scrubs, which can damage anti-microbial protections over time from heat, drying, or rough surfactants. These also ensure a new, contamination-free garment for each patient interaction or procedure. This is particularly important in high-caseload specialties and areas with immunocompromised patients. Disposable scrubs are also more logistically feasible for busy clinical settings, as soiled items can be discarded immediately rather than transported to laundering facilities. Some features like tear-away panels further enhance convenience during emergencies or time-sensitive cases. As healthcare providers increasingly prioritize streamlining workflows and raising hygiene standards, disposable scrubs continue growing in popularity compared to reusable alternatives.

Insights, By End User: High patient volume drives Scrubs Demand in Hospitals

End User segment is sub-segmented into hospitals & clinics, diagnostic laboratories, ambulatory surgical centers, and others. Hospitals & clinics segment is estimated to contribute the highest share of the medical scrubs market and is projected to hold 48.8% of the market share in 2024. Hospitals comprise the largest end user segment for medical scrubs due to the diversity of specialties and practitioners housed under one roof. From surgical teams and laboratory technicians to nurses, physicians and support staff, a wide array of providers utilizes scrubs on a daily basis across inpatient and outpatient settings. Factors like rising global patient loads, increased accessibility of healthcare, and prevalence of chronic diseases continuously drive hospital utilization rates of medical scrubs. This consistent and sizable on-site demand makes hospitals the primary procurement channel for scrub brands. Larger facilities also often have dedicated purchasing departments that consolidate orders for economies of scale. As healthcare delivery increasingly shifts to ambulatory and specialized settings over time, demand from alternative end users may rise as well. However, hospitals are expected to remain the major end-user segment for the foreseeable future.

Regional Insights

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The North America region has dominated the global medical scrubs market in past decade and is expected to hold 43.9% of the market share in 2024. The region is home to many top medical apparel brands that have established strong brand recognition and retail distribution networks globally. Additionally, North American healthcare regulations have helped standardize medical scrubs, increasing reliance on branded apparel. Stringent hygiene standards and the massive scale of the U.S. healthcare industry have propelled medical scrubs consumption. The ubiquitous nature of healthcare job roles such as nurses and physicians has made medical scrubs a mainstream professional uniform. Regional trade agreements like North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have also simplified cross-border commerce between the three North American countries, facilitating imports and exports. Overall, the mature healthcare infrastructure and enormity of the healthcare labor market in North America have cemented its position as the dominant force in the global medical scrubs space.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to be the fastest growing market for medical scrubs. Countries like India, China, Japan and South Korea all feature burgeoning healthcare sectors and expanding medical tourism industries. A rapidly aging population and growing middle class are driving increased healthcare spending and utilization in many Asia Pacific nations. Rising wages mean more individuals can afford branded medical apparel. The region is also a key sourcing hub for medical scrubs manufacturing, allowing brands to leverage competitive labor costs for both domestic consumption and export markets.

Market Report Scope

Key Developments

• On February 29, 2024, The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), the premier organization dedicated to the business of medical practice, announced a new partnership with TopStitch Scrubs, the managed uniform experts. MGMA Scrubs Powered by TopStitch provides member medical groups with the most efficient approach to manage team or individual uniform programs, saving valuable time and resources.
• In August 2023, Kindthread, a leading producer of medical uniforms, announced the launch of its latest collection- CRFT. The CRFT collection encapsulates the essence of excellence in healthcare gear, ensuring that every detail of the scrubs is precisely produced with care. These scrubs, made from plant-based and recycled fibers, provide unsurpassed comfort while also demonstrating Kindthread's dedication to responsible fashion.
• In February 2023, TAARA, an online retailer of upmarket medical scrubs, launched high-quality, sustainable medical scrubs tailored to the needs of healthcare professionals. The scrub line, made of bluesign approved recycled fabric that meets Oeko-tex standards, comes in a chic variety of styles, colors, and sizes that provide luxurious comfort, 4-way stretch, fluid repellency, and multiple pockets and utility loops for medical professional tools.
• In February 2023, Fabletics, an active lifestyle brand that sells both men's and women's apparel, announced the launch of Fabletics Scrubs, the world's first athletic scrubs that apply the brand's expertise in premium quality, design, and performance wear to the medical apparel industry.

*Definition: The medical scrubs market provides medical apparel worn by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Medical scrubs come in a variety of styles, such as tops, pants, and matching sets, made from comfortable materials like cotton and synthetic fabrics. As they are practical, affordable and help maintain hygiene in clinical settings, medical scrubs continue being a thriving market. Brands offer different designs, colors and features to serve the daily wear needs of healthcare workers across hospitals and clinics.

Market Segmentation

•  Type Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • Surgical Scrubs
  • Nursing Scrubs
  • Lab Coats
•  Usability Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • Disposable
  • Reusable
•  End User Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • Hospitals & Clinics
  • Diagnostic Laboratories
  • Ambulatory Surgical Centers
  • Others
•  Distribution Channel Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • Retail Stores
  • E-commerce
  • Others
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • North Africa
    • Central Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • FIGS
  • Maevn Scrubs
  • IguanaMed
  • Jaanuu
  • Landau Uniforms
  • Healing Hands Scrubs
  • WonderWink Scrubs
  • Urbane Scrubs
  • Koi Scrubs
  • Carhartt Scrubs
  • Zoe + Chloe
  • Med Couture
  • Knya Enterprise Private Limited
  • Cardinal Health
  • ANSELL LTD
  • 3M
  • Henry Schein