Imports
UK Retail: Footwear market faces broad-based weakness
Although clothing sales remained resilient and online fashion retail continued to grow in the first half of the year, the footwear sector faced a more challenging environment characterised by ongoing price deflation, weak retail sales, and subdued household spending. A sharp contraction in footwear imports also suggests greater caution among retailers and distributors, suggesting that pressure has extended beyond consumer demand to inventory and replenishment decisions
Brazil posts first trade deficit in footwear since 1997
Continued rising imports and declining exports have pushed the Brazilian footwear industry into its first trade deficit in July since records began in 1997
Asia accounts for 56% of global footwear consumption
JUST RELEASED: The geography of footwear consumption is evolving, with Asia consolidating its dominance. Check all details in the new World Footwear Yearbook 2026 recently released by APICCAPS, the Portuguese Footwear Association
Germany Retail: Footwear remains under pressure
The German footwear market is under increasing pressure due to declining sales, rising prices and weakening consumer confidence. While total retail and online sales have remained relatively resilient, footwear and leather goods have consistently underperformed. Meanwhile, retailers have become more cautious, as reflected in declining imports and weak retail confidence, which points to a challenging environment for the sector
24.6 billion pairs: global footwear production in 2025
JUST RELEASED: In 2025, global footwear production remained broadly unchanged, recording a marginal increase of 0.1% to a total of 24.6 billion pairs, according to data from the World Footwear Yearbook 2026 recently released by APICCAPS, the Portuguese Footwear Association
Global footwear production holds steady in 2025
JUST RELEASED: In 2025, global footwear production remained virtually unchanged, recording a marginal increase of 0.1% to a total of 24.6 billion pairs, according to data from the World Footwear Yearbook 2026 recently released by APICCAPS, the Portuguese Footwear Association. This follows a revised estimate for the production figures in 2024, which now indicates a robust growth of nearly 10% for that year. While international trade volume saw a slight dip of 0.1%, the total value of exports rose by 1.6%, reaching 172 billion dollars
Spain Retail: Fashion recovers amid mixed market signs
Spanish retail has remained resilient over the past year, supported by sustained growth in online sales. Meanwhile, the fashion sector recovered in early 2026 following a weaker performance in 2025. However, rising prices, weakening consumer and retail confidence, and lower footwear imports suggest that the improvement in turnover this year reflects a mixed market environment rather than an overall strengthening in demand
US imposes 25% tariffs on Brazilian goods, raising concerns in the footwear industry
The US will impose a 25% tariff on several Brazilian goods, including footwear, from the 22nd of July, following a year-long investigation into trade practices the US administration considers to be unfair
US retail body reports higher imports, sales growth and early back-to-school season
US retailers are increasing imports ahead of potential tariff changes, while retail sales continued to grow in June and consumers started their back-to-school shopping earlier than usual
France Retail: Widespread recovery remains elusive
After an uncertain 2025, the French retail market is showing few signs of widespread recovery. While online sales remain its main source of growth, overall retail has stagnated and the footwear market continues to struggle with subdued consumer demand. Meanwhile, the recent acceleration in headline inflation has not resulted in higher clothing and footwear prices, which suggests weak pricing power and ongoing promotional pressure. Against a backdrop of fragile consumer and retail confidence, it is no surprise that businesses have become more cautious in their approach to inventory management
Coalition urges EU to strengthen marketplace accountability
The CEC and 87 other organisations are urging the European Commission to use the upcoming European Product Act to address the lack of accountability surrounding the billions of low-value parcels entering the EU each year
Global footwear trade weakens in early 2026
International footwear trade began 2026 under pressure. In the first quarter of the year, most of the main production-based exporters analysed recorded a decline in exports, while several major consumption markets also reduced their imports. The results point to a cautious start to the year for global footwear, although the impact varied substantially across country profiles
Netherlands Retail: Confidence gap widens, footwear lags
Recent developments in the Dutch retail market reveal an increasing gap. Although consumer confidence has deteriorated sharply, retailers remain positive and footwear imports have shown resilience. Yet, footwear continues to lag behind the broader retail sector, facing weaker demand, persistent price pressure, and inconsistent sales. Meanwhile, online retail remains structurally strong, reflecting the ongoing shift in consumer purchasing behaviour
Retail Flash: end-2025 insights from key footwear markets
Explore the main retail dynamics across France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, the US and Spain, including end-2025 insights and early-2026 signals, highlighting online outperformance in France and Spain, persistent footwear weakness in Germany, and import-cost pressure in Japan and the US
EU-Mercosur deal expected to boost Brazilian footwear exports
Optimism has been expressed by the Brazilian footwear industry regarding the potential impact of the provisional entry of the EU-Mercosur deal on the 1st of May, which is expected to provide a boost to the export sector-
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