World Footwear

Organisations

Edvin Prençe, President of ProEksport: towards a more value-added footwear industry in Albania

Premium ContentJan 20, 2026 / Albania
We spoke to Edvin Prençe, President of ProEksport, the official representative body for Albania’s clothing and footwear industry. Among other topics, we discussed ProEksport’s role in the country, the importance of multi-country partnerships and the current state and future of the sector in Albania

British Footwear Association announces CEO departure

Jan 16, 2026 / United Kingdom
The British Footwear Association (BFA) has announced that Richard Shetliffe will step down from his role as Chief Executive Officer in early June 2026. The search for his successor is underway

AI has not yet matured sufficiently to meet the specific needs of the industry

Premium ContentJan 13, 2026 / Business Conditions Survey
This is one of the key findings from the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, conducted in October and November 2025. We asked our panel of experts to share their views on the impact of AI in the footwear industry. Here’s what they told us

Two Ten Footwear Foundation appoints new Board Chair and Vice Chair

Jan 7, 2026 / United States
The US-based charitable foundation has appointed Jonathan Frankel, President of Aldo Product Services, as Board Chair, while Ed Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Steve Madden, now serves as Board Vice Chair

Signs of stabilisation emerge in the Italian footwear industry

Jan 6, 2026 / Italy
According to Assocalzaturifici, the Italian footwear industry is beginning to stabilise following a challenging start to the year. However, activity remains below 2024 levels

Dr Luis Zugno: Leather Naturally plays a key role in raising awareness about leather

Premium ContentJan 5, 2026 / Netherlands
We spoke to Dr Luis Zugno, Chair of Leather Naturally, a non-profit organisation dedicated to leather education and the promotion of compliant, regulated leather manufacturing. Our conversation focused on the organisation’s role in the industry and current debates surrounding leather

Cotance and industriAll Europe outline roadmap for the EU leather sector

Jan 2, 2026 / European Union
Cotance and industriAll Europe have adopted a new Social Dialogue Work Programme 2026-2030. This is aimed at strengthening the skills, sustainability and competitiveness of the EU leather industry

Brazilian footwear exports decline in November amid rising imports

Dec 18, 2025 / Brazil
Brazilian footwear exports fell in November, with shipments to the US, its main market, continuing to decline while imports surged. The trade balance is being pressured by US tariffs and growing inflows from Asia

Kering Foundation launches research programme on violence against women and children

Dec 16, 2025 / France
In partnership with McGill University and the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), the Kering Foundation is launching a research programme that addresses the intersection between violence against women and children

US: Thanksgiving Weekend attracts a record 203 million shoppers

Dec 9, 2025 / United States
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 202.9 million consumers shopped over the Thanksgiving-Cyber Monday weekend, up from 197 million last year and surpassing the record of 200.4 million set in 2023

Marijn Verschure from CAST: rethinking the future of showrooms and fairs

Premium ContentDec 1, 2025 / Netherlands
We spoke to Marijn Verschure, the General Manager at CAST, a trading platform for footwear, sport and fashion. Among other topics, we discussed CAST’s role in the footwear ecosystem and the future of permanent showrooms and trade fairs

Leather Naturally appoints two new members to its Management Board

Nov 26, 2025 / World
The not-for-profit membership association representing the leather industry has appointed Jim Deheer (Loop Marketing) and Carla Vélez (Leather Cluster Barcelona) to its Management Board

LAST CALL: Join the 13th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey

Nov 24, 2025 / Business Conditions Survey
The WorldFootwear.com is asking all experts within the footwear industry to share their views on the current business situation. Join the new edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey. WE WANT TO HEAR YOU!

Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, from COTANCE: we are working on the regulatory areas that will shape future markets

Premium ContentNov 24, 2025 / Belgium
We spoke to Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, who has been the Secretary General at COTANCE for more than 30 years. We discussed some of the critical issues around the European leather industry, including traceability standards and material metrics

Novo Hamburgo welcomes first Zero+ edition

Nov 24, 2025 / Brazil
Exhibitors reported positive results at the event, which gathered 150 brands and international visitors, while organisers outlined plans to expand the fair amid shifting consumer behaviour in Brazil
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