Retail
UK retail sales pick up in January
UK total retail sales rose by 2.7% in January, according to the BRC, surpassing the 12-month average of 2.3%. Post-Christmas discounts boosted spending on both food and in-store items
New footwear material trends revealed by industry survey
Industry experts point to sustainable natural fibres as the dominant footwear material trend for the next two years, a key insight from the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey conducted at the end of 2025
AI has not yet matured sufficiently to meet the specific needs of the industry
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
UK retail sales fall in December as Christmas boost fails
BDO’s latest High Street Sales Tracker shows that discretionary retail sales fell by 1.4% year-on-year in December, representing the weakest monthly performance since November 2024
Retail Flash: insights from key footwear markets
Explore the main retail dynamics across France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, the US and Spain based on our latest Retail Flash reports, highlighting that e-commerce expansion and import pressures continue to reshape retail across Europe, while stronger sales growth occurs in Japan and in the US
US: Thanksgiving Weekend attracts a record 203 million shoppers
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
UK Retail: fashion rebounds despite pressure on footwear spending
Since May, the UK’s textile, clothing, and footwear (TCF) sector has regained momentum, outperforming the total retail sector and benefiting from increased online demand. But this rebound masks underlying weaknesses in the footwear sector: consumer spending remains low amid persistent price deflation, and imports have fluctuated significantly as retailers adjust stock levels in response to volatile demand. With inflation still above the target rate and the Budget looming, the retail sector has entered the Golden Quarter with improved sales but constrained by economic uncertainty and cautious consumer behaviour
French retail groups move to sue fast-fashion giant Shein
A dozen French retail federations and several major brands have launched an “unprecedented” legal action against Shein for unfair competition, citing non-compliance with regulations
Germany Retail: footwear slumps as e-commerce and imports surge
The German retail sector is split in two: the footwear and leather goods market is experiencing one of its worst years, with sales falling by 4.2% year-on-year in the first eight months of the year, while overall retail is growing and e-commerce is booming, fuelled by Asian marketplaces. Complicating matters further, footwear imports have surged in value by 16.9%, defying the decline in domestic sales and raising questions about the country’s trade position. Despite current volatile business conditions and subdued consumer confidence, the industry is cautiously seeking signs of positive change
UK: Budget anxiety dampens retail spending and footfall
Retail activity in the UK is showing signs of slowing down, with consumer caution ahead of the Autumn Budget dampening spending and footfall in major shopping areas
Japan Retail: mixed signs for the footwear sector
Sales of apparel and footwear remain sluggish, with monthly declines compared to 2024. However, while clothing prices in Japan have outpaced general inflation (which is higher than usual for the country’s economy), footwear inflation has remained relatively stable, hovering just above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target. This suggests that, while households are reducing discretionary spending, footwear is less susceptible to price volatility. Nevertheless, rising import costs and exchange rate fluctuations could alter this situation
Spain Retail: the fashion sector is now under pressure
Unlike our previous forecast, the Spanish fashion sector is currently under pressure, with its turnover down by 2.56% year-on-year in the first half of the year. The footwear sector, in particular, is showing worrying signs, with low prices and cautious consumer behaviour. This has left retailers with high inventory levels and high hopes for summer discounts. However, only time will tell if the slowdown of the Spanish economy due to mounting global geopolitical and financial uncertainty will affect their prospects
France Retail: something doesn’t add up in the footwear market
There is something amiss in the footwear retail sector in France. Since April, footwear sales have increased and prices have remained stable, supported by one of the lowest inflation rates in the Eurozone. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised about the sluggish state of the economy, with both consumer and retail confidence not only negative, but also on a downward trend. This suggests that footwear imports will most likely continue to decrease, as they did in April. Only time will tell what will happen next
AI's impact in the footwear industry
Artificial Intelligence seems destined to deeply change our lives, so we have asked our panel of experts about the expected impact of this tool in the footwear business. Get free access to the report with the main conclusions
Netherlands Retail: mixed signs in the first half of the year
Despite a strong start to 2025, the Dutch retail sector has been experiencing some volatility. Sales in the footwear sector recorded significant fluctuations, reaching their lowest point in April with a decline of 7.5%, before recovering to a decline of 2.5% in May. Notably, the footwear sector experienced negative inflation in these months, meaning consumers paid less for footwear. However, imports to the Netherlands have increased in the first quarter, and Retail confidence remains above zero. Therefore, despite negative consumer confidence and a challenging macroeconomic backdrop, there may still be some hope for the rest of the year-
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Footwear Consumer 2030
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