Development Opportunities and Challenges in the Travel Luggage and Backpack Industry in the Context of Globalization

 

Development Opportunities and Challenges in the Travel Luggage and Backpack Industry in the Context of Globalization

 

Industry Status: Globalization Drives Market Recovery and Growth

 

Driven by the wave of globalization and the full recovery of tourism, the travel trolley bags and travel packs industry is undergoing structural growth. According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the number of global international tourists reached 1.4 billion in 2024, basically recovering to pre-pandemic levels, and is expected to continue growing by 3%-5% in 2025. This trend has directly driven demand for travel equipment, with the global luggage market expected to reach $187.6 billion in 2024, among which riding suitcase and backpacks are the fastest-growing product categories.

 

Specifically, the riding suitcase market has performed particularly prominently. The global riding suitcase market was valued at approximately $58 billion in 2023. As the world's largest producer and exporter, China's luggage export volume reached 3.62 million tons from January to December 2024, a year-on-year increase of 9.2%, with an export value of $34.541 billion. The domestic market is equally active, with the luggage market reaching 31 billion yuan in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 17%, and is expected to maintain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% over the next five years. The travel packs market has also shown steady growth, with the global backpacks market valued at an estimated $18.19 billion in 2024 and expected to grow to $19.41 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 6.87%.

Development Opportunities: Dual Drivers of Technological Innovation and Consumption Upgrading

 

(1) Technological Innovation Leads Product Upgrades

Intelligentization has become a focal point of industry innovation. Smart trolley suitcase with electronic locks, weighing functions, and GPS positioning, as well as backpacks integrated with solar charging panels (e.g., running rucksack), are popular among young consumers. The global smart riding suitcase and backpacks market reached $4.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to exceed $7 billion by 2026. Domestic brands such as TraveRE and Xiaomi's ecosystem companies have rapidly captured market share through cost-effective smart products, with their online sales increasing by 40% year-on-year in 2024. For example, Echolac joined forces with Huawei HarmonyOS to launch the Smart Flower Trolley Suitcase, integrating 3X storage and 5CM expansion technology to improve capacity utilization while achieving smart connectivity.

 

Breakthroughs in material technology have promoted product lightweighting and environmental friendliness. Lightweight and high-strength materials such as polycarbonate and ABS engineering plastics have become widely used, while carbon fiber and magnesium-aluminum alloy frames have reduced riding suitcase weight by 12% compared to 2019. The application of environmentally friendly materials has accelerated, with sales of luggage set of 3 and backpacks using recycled polyester fiber, vegetable-tanned leather (for leather backpack), and other eco-materials increasing by 22% year-on-year in 2024. The proportion of eco-materials in China's export products has increased from 18% in 2020 to 31% in 2024. For instance, OHPC uses biomass raw materials such as rice husks and shells to produce fully biodegradable materials, whose products meet EU environmental standards and have significantly enhanced export premium capabilities.

 

(2) Consumption Upgrading Generates Diversified Demands

Consumer behavior and needs have become increasingly diversified. The rising proportion of independent travel has driven demand for lightweight and large-capacity cabin bag suitcase, while the popularity of short-distance travel has boosted the small rucksack womens market. In 2024, online sales of backpacks (including travel packs) accounted for 45% of total domestic sales, an 8-percentage-point year-on-year increase. Adjustments to airline baggage policies (such as stricter free checked baggage allowances for economy class) have further forced consumers to choose lighter cabin luggage trolley that meets size requirements, with 20-24 inch specifications (e.g., cabin bag suitcase) accounting for over 60%.

 

The popularity of personalized customization services has grown. Consumers are no longer satisfied with standardized products but pursue unique designs, such as black rucksack womens with custom colors or patterns. Companies meet diverse needs by offering customization options for colors, patterns, engravings, and modular accessories (such as detachable compartments for 35 litre backpack or 40l rucksack). In 2024, the domestic customized luggage market reached 8.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 28%, with riding suitcase and backpacks (including 40l rucksack) accounting for over 60%. For example, Coach's Brooklyn series and Cherry pendants sparked social media attention, increasing the proportion of young users (including those preferring black rucksack womens) by 30%.

 

(3) Emerging Markets and Channel Transformations Bring Growth Space

The Asia-Pacific region has become the fastest-growing market. The expansion of the middle class in emerging economies such as China and India, along with surging cross-border tourism demand, has driven the upgrading of riding suitcase consumption. It is expected that China's travel trolley bags market will exceed 150 billion yuan by 2025, with a CAGR of 8.3%. The Southeast Asian market prefers inexpensive luggage, with order volumes on cross-border e-commerce platforms Shein and Temu in the region increasing by 120% year-on-year in 2024.

 

Online sales channels have risen to prominence. In 2024, online sales of luggage set of 3 and backpacks accounted for 45%, an 8-percentage-point year-on-year increase, with live-streaming commerce and social commerce becoming key growth engines. Data from Douyin e-commerce shows that GMV for travel trolley bags categories surged by 230% year-on-year in 2023. Offline experience stores and customized service models are also being explored; for example, some brands offer personalized design services through flagship stores to showcase products like trolley backpack and riding suitcase.

Challenges and Responses: Multiple Pressures in a Globalized Context

 

(1) Supply Chain Volatility and Cost Pressures

Global economic uncertainties have led to fluctuations in consumer demand. In 2024, the average export price of hold luggage from China fell by 9.8% year-on-year, reflecting intensified international market competition. Rising raw material prices (such as ABS plastic and aluminum alloy) have squeezed corporate profit margins, leaving some small and medium-sized enterprises facing survival pressures for products like collapsible duffel bag and foldable luggage bag. For example, the price volatility of polycarbonate reached 43% in 2023, hitting a ten-year high of $4,200 per ton. Additionally, supply chain disruptions following the pandemic have not been fully resolved, requiring companies to hedge risks through automated production and diversified supply chain management for hold luggage.

 

(2) Strict Policy Regulations and Environmental Requirements

The EU's REACH regulations have tightened restrictions on chemical substances, requiring the concentration of substances of very high concern (SVHC) in riding suitcase and backpacks (e.g., leather backpack) to be below 0.1%. This has increased compliance costs and forced green transformation, such as using foldable luggage bag with recyclable materials. For example, EU market requirements for eco-materials have prompted Chinese export enterprises to increase the proportion of eco-materials from 18% in 2020 to 31% in 2024. Furthermore, carbon neutrality goals drive green supply chains, requiring sustainability in collapsible duffel bag production.

 

(3) Brand Competition and Differentiation Challenges

The industry has a low concentration ratio, with top backpack brands like Samsonite accounting for 18.1% of global market share, while the top five brands in China (LV, Samsonite, etc.) account for only 17.6%. Local brands face competition from international top backpack brands and price pressures from white-label inexpensive luggage. For example, LV occupies 16.2% of China's high-end market, while domestic brands like TraveRE capture the mid-range market with "design + cost-effectiveness," achieving a 45% repurchase rate among 25-35-year-olds for running rucksack.

 

(4) Rapid Iteration of Consumer Preferences

Young consumers demand intelligent and personalized products, increasing inventory risks for trolley backpack and 40l rucksack. For example, smart trolley suitcase penetration rose from 12% in 2024 to 18% in 2025, risking obsolescence of older models. Enterprises need dynamic demand monitoring and flexible production for small rucksack womens and other niche products.

Future Outlook: Parallel Paths of Technology-Driven and Green Transformation

 

(1) Continuous Deepening of Technological Innovation

IoT and blockchain will enhance tracking and anti-counterfeiting for trolley suitcase and trolley backpack. For example, FedEx's smart solution uses AI to optimize logistics for travel trolley bags. AI-driven trend prediction and blockchain traceability will become standard for 35 litre backpack and other products.

 

(2) Accelerated Construction of Green Supply Chains

Eco-material application will increase from 25% (2025) to 40% (2030), with modular designs for 35 litre backpack extending lifecycles. Biodegradable running rucksack sales grew 150% in five years, driven by recycled materials. Enterprises must adopt recyclable PC and bio-based materials for leather backpack and foldable luggage bag.

 

(3) Integration of Globalization and Localization

Markets vary: Southeast Asia prefers inexpensive luggage, while Europe/North America prioritize brands (e.g., top backpack brands). The Middle East demands sand-proof trolley suitcase with charging features, with Saudi sales up 140%. Cross-border e-commerce (40% growth) allows Chinese brands to offer customized cabin luggage trolley and collapsible duffel bag in emerging markets.

 

The prosperity of tourism fuels the riding suitcase and travel packs market, while innovation and consumption upgrades drive growth. As global tourism recovers, the industry must innovate to meet demands for black rucksack womens, 40l rucksack, and other specialized products, while adapting to supply chain and regulatory challenges.