An estimated 19 percent of the youngsters in the four major European countries buy clothing in sporting goods stores frequently, while 49 percent visit them from time to time, and 28 percent never do, according to a survey commissioned by the Institut Français de la Mode (French Fashion Institute or IFM) and presented at the Première Vision fabrics show held in Paris last week. In terms of frequent purchases, fashion retail chains come in first place, followed by the internet with a ratio of 29 percent and department stores with a share of 24 percent. Aged between 15 and 24 years, these youngsters spend more on food and going out than on clothing. Young women spend the most on clothing in Italy and the least in Spain. They spent more on clothing in 2010 and 2011, in spite of the economic problems. The money came mostly from their parents in Italy, but parents were stingiest in the U.K., whereas German youngsters got their money frequently through odd jobs. Overall, in 82 percent of the cases, European youngsters have been occasionally influenced by their friends' choices. Today's youth wants to see more new products and more items to choose from in a store.

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