Wearable tech market set to double in 2015

The health and fitness wearable tech market in the UK is set to double in 2015, according to new research from Kantar Media’s syndicated study, Futureproof.

The research reveals that currently 6.7 million adults currently use health and fitness wearable devices and smartphone apps for activities such as monitoring their heart rate, recording steps taken and calculating fitness levels, and this is set to double to an estimated 13.1 million users next year.

It also found that the fashion market for wearable tech will also increase, as 12 percent of current users who responded said they would be interesting in buying ‘wearable tech’ jewellery, while 22 percent would consider clothing, and 27 percent were thinking about purchasing tech-enhanced footwear. The Futureproof report also predicts that these figures will to rise to 21 percent, 32 percent and 30 percent respectively for those entering the market in 2015.

With regards to the growth of wearable tech glasses, the report found that 15 percent of people currently using health and fitness wearable tech were interested in purchasing and 30 percent of those entering the market in 2015 would also be interested in purchasing them.

Rioch Brewer, senior statistician at Kantar Media Custom, said: “The health and fitness wearables market is still in its infancy, and brands targeting younger audiences as well as those in the sport and leisure categories are leading the way.

“These figures are set to increase as brands innovate in this space as a means of attempting to engage with consumers and extend the overall brand experience. It is also interesting to see that consumers are happy to pay for apps and devices, which opens up additional opportunities for manufacturers and developers.”