Footwear
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
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Laura O’Brien: the Atlanta Shoe Market facilitates real business
In today’s interview, we spoke to Laura O’Brien, who has been the Executive Director of the Atlanta Shoe Market trade fair for over forty years. We talked about the event’s history, role in the US footwear industry and its relevance to international players looking to enter the US market
Dr. Martens restructures leadership to accelerate consumer-first strategy
As part of a restructuring aimed at simplifying the operating model in line with the new consumer-first strategy, the UK-based footwear company has appointed General Managers for all its major markets
China remains top US footwear supplier but market share hits 35-year low
China remained the largest supplier of footwear to the US in 2025, despite its market share falling to 35-year lows in both value and volume, according to the FDRA
Christian Decker leaves DESMA
The managing director of the Germany-based footwear machinery manufacturer has left the company after 28 years, 17 of which were spent in this leadership role
MATA unveils AW26 collection, introducing women’s line for the first time
The Portuguese company unveiled its Autumn/Winter 2026 collection at the last MICAM. Focusing on waterproof performance, the collection marks the company’s entry into the women’s segment
Debate grows over Germany’s textiles EPR scheme
The HDS/L warns that folding footwear into a textiles framework overlooks the greater material complexity of shoes and could weaken competitiveness through higher compliance burdens and uncertainty
EU-Mercosur trade deal set for provisional application from May 1
The EU-Mercosur interim trade agreement is set to be provisionally applied from the 1st of May, despite objections from certain member states and requests for clarification from the European Parliament. We have asked industry representatives from both sides of the Atlantic to comment
AYSAF as Türkiye’s gateway to global footwear trade
We spoke to Sait Sal?c?, the chairman of the Turkish Footwear Industrialists Association (AYSAD), about the global rise of Türkiye’s footwear sub-industry and its logistics sector, as well as the strategic importance of the AYSAF trade fair, which is taking place from the 21st to the 24th of April in Istanbul
American Exchange Group agrees to acquire Allbirds’ assets
The brand management group, whose portfolio includes labels such as Aerosoles and Ed Hardy, has agreed to purchase the intellectual property and all assets of the eco-friendly sneaker brand for 39 million USD
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
Designer Brands improves margins despite sales decline in 2025
The US-based company has reported a 3.9% year-on-year decline in net sales to 2.9 billion US dollars for 2025. However, it has also improved its gross margins and strengthened its financial position
Assomac signs agreements to support Kenya’s leather and footwear sector
Assomac has signed strategic agreements with Kenyan partners to support the development of the country’s leather and footwear industries by supplying Italian technologies and machinery
Shoe Carnival beats fourth-quarter expectations, adopts selective rebanner approach
Fourth-quarter results exceeded expectations as the business transformation through Shoe Station expansion continues. However, the company is adopting a more selective approach to store conversions in 2026-
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