The COVID-19 pandemic created pressure on the global supply chains, which has resulted in shortages of materials and increased transport prices. The cost of merchandise and raw materials is now the main concern of the footwear industry
A combination of factors will determine the consumer’s decision to choose a pair of shoes. With a view to find out what are the most relevant drivers in that process, we have asked our experts to choose the most relevant factors. Price is at the top of the list
It doesn’t come as a surprise, but the conclusions from enquiring our Panel of Experts of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey point to a continuation of the trend around sneakers and sports related footwear. Read more about it today
Digital channels are increasingly important and during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many retail businesses had to quickly adjust from in-store to digital sales. More then ever, the focus seems to be on the digital
Since the first edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey conducted in the second semester of 2019, this is the most positive result obtained: traders and manufacturers are extremely optimistic about footwear sales
Italian footwear industry should report double-digit recovery in 2021, despite not reaching pre-pandemic levels. Exports remain the main driver of the sector
The average export price of footwear has increased by more than 30% in the last decade. As new pressure points are felt in the footwear market, our experts believe that by 2025 the average footwear export price could be above 12 US dollars
The overall increase in prices, associated with the disruptions in the supply chain we have come to know since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been on the agenda for quite some time now. This trend affects necessarily the footwear industry across the entire supply chain, from suppliers of raw materials to final consumers. We have identified the key pointers that allow us to have a better understanding of this worldwide increase.
We asked our panel about their expectations regarding the evolution of footwear consumption in 2022, both in their home countries and globally. Expectations are cautious, despite the growth forecast, as a moderate rise is anticipated
The Plan B enacted by the UK's Government to fight the new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to a significant drop in footfall, especially in central London
The expected retail boost from the Olympic games never took place in Japan, and the retail index is still below the normal pace registered before the pandemic. With the lifting of the State of Emergency things are expected to improve. If retailers are still lacking confidence, consumers seem to have improved their mood. However, with a rising expecting about the growth of prices, this could negatively impact the good mood of consumers and further deteriorate the confidence of retailers
There is a rising expectation about the evolution of footwear prices in the coming months. Our experts anticipate prices to continue to rise, as a result of several pressure points impacting the business. Get access to the latest Business Conditions report and find out more today
According to the GfK's Consumer Index, consumer confidence in the UK grew by three points in November, on a comparable basis to the previous month, despite concerns over surging inflation
The Retail Sales Index in the US Shoe Stores has registered a favourable pace between March and August, which could give good perspectives for the near future. However, footwear retail gains are dwindling, closing at only 4 percentage points upside in August, after 11pp above the line in March. On top of that the consumers’ mood is plunging again and with inflation entering a danger zone in the US, retailers have reasons to be worried, especially if footwear prices stay in the upper range for a longer time
According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), October retail sales volumes increased for the first time in six months in October 2021, most likely due to early Christmas shopping