Fashion
US Retail: footwear under pressure as retail holds
Although overall sales remained stable in 2025, performance within the fashion sector was mixed, with clothing outperforming the far more volatile footwear segment. At the same time, weakening consumer sentiment persisted despite easing monetary policy, signalling growing uncertainty. This is particularly evident in footwear imports, which reversed sharply after a strong start to the year and declined alongside retail sales, even as import prices continued to rise. The combination of falling volumes and higher costs points to a sector increasingly squeezed by soft demand and ongoing supply-side issues
Dolce & Gabbana reshapes leadership
The Italy-based fashion house has appointed Stefano Cantino as co-chief executive officer, while the company’s co-founder, Stefano Gabbana, stepped down from his formal governance roles
Uniqlo owner raises full-year outlook on strong first-half
The Japan-based fashion retailer has revised its full-year outlook upwards, following a strong first-half performance that was marked by Uniqlo’s growth at home and especially abroad
Asos reports 50% rise in underlying profitability
The UK-based online retailer has reported a 50% year-on-year rise in underlying profitability in the first half, according to its latest trading update, driven by higher margins and cost discipline
H&M advances sustainability goals in 2025
The Swedish fashion group is making progress towards its sustainability targets, according to its latest report, with 91% of materials being sustainable and emissions down by up to 41%
'Building Resilient Futures leads' Global Fashion Summit agenda
Taking place in a month, organisers frame sustainability as adaptation under pressure, exploring how business models can evolve through circularity networks and stronger supply chain accountability
H&M reports higher profitability despite slight sales decline in the first quarter
The fashion group reported improved margins and a rise in operating profit in the first quarter of 2026, despite a slight decline in sales due to currency headwinds and store optimisation measures
UK Retail: fashion retail grows, but caution persists
Sales in the UK’s textile, clothing, and footwear (TCF) sector recovered in 2025, exceeding total retail figures despite periods of volatility. However, this recovery was driven more by increased transaction volumes than by higher consumer spending, with expenditure on footwear remaining largely unchanged and prices declining amid persistent discounts. At the same time, volatile yet growing online sales and increasingly responsive import patterns suggest that the sector is trying to adapt quickly to uncertain demand
John Galliano enters two-year collaboration with Zara
Zara has entered a two-year partnership with John Galliano, tasking him with “re-authoring” its archives. This signals his return to the atelier following his departure from Maison Margiela in 2024
Spanish footwear sector warns against ultra-fast-fashion model
Several major organisations from the Spanish footwear and leather goods industry issued a joint declaration raising concerns over the rapid expansion of ultra-fast fashion platforms in Europe
Germany Retail: Footwear under pressure amid clouded outlook
Germany’s footwear and leather goods sector remained under pressure in 2025, with weak consumer and retail confidence, falling sales, and substantial discounts weighing on the market, despite the expansion of the online channel and a significant increase in footwear imports. Looking ahead, industry representatives appear to anticipate cautious stabilisation rather than a clear rebound. While e-commerce and Germany’s role as a regional hub offer some support, weak domestic demand and persistent uncertainty continue to cloud the outlook
Inditex profit rises to 6.2 billion euros in 2025
The Spain-based fashion retailer saw its profits rise by 6.2% year-on-year to reach 6.2 billion euros in 2025, with sales approaching 40 billion euros amidst continued global expansion
Mango delivers double-digit revenue growth in 2025
The fashion retailer reported a year-on-year increase in turnover of 13% to 3.8 billion euros in 2025. This was achieved through continued international expansion and investment in stores, technology and logistics
AAFA announces board leadership changes
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has appointed new members to its Board of Directors. These include Joe Preston, the president and CEO of New Balance, who will serve as board chair
Spain Retail: Fashion falters amid broader retail growth
While the broader Spanish economy expanded by 2.8% in 2025 and total retail sales grew steadily, driven largely by double-digit gains in e-commerce, the fashion sector struggled. On average, there was a monthly year-on-year decline of 0.8% in clothing and footwear sales, accompanied by sector-specific deflation despite positive headline inflation. Although consumer confidence remained relatively solid, households increasingly prioritised services and savings over fashion purchases-
-
Footwear Consumer 2030
A study reflecting on the main global consumer trends and the key changes for the footwear industry.
-
World Footwear Public Calendar
Click here to subscribe an updated version of the calendar displaying the footwear trade shows.
-
-
-
-
Media Partners
Media Partners
-
Shoe Intelligence
UNIT Publishing House
La Conceria
Fotoshoe