The Seattle-based online retail giant returned to profitability in the third quarter of the current year, but it is preparing for a slower last quarter, most likely due to a weaker consumer demand
The available data suggests that retailers made sure to fill up their stocks this year, most likely causing supply to outstrip demand. But while demand may have slowed down, mainly due to high inflation, spending has not ceased, and retailers are expected to increase their promotions through the end of the year to dispose of marked-down excess inventory. Consumer confidence indicators are somewhat mixed, but it is safe to assume that, at least, it has stopped bleeding. In fact, the contrast with European consumers is clear, showing that US shoppers are less sensitive to the geopolitical risks concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, though slowly, footwear prices increases are starting to decelerate
Low-income shoppers are planning to spend 25% more year-over-year, while the high-income group is pulling back. Overall, holiday spending is expected to be flat year-over-year
In the first nine months of 2022, the Hong Kong-based footwear manufacturer and retailer posted a 13.5% consolidated revenue growth despite "increasing macroeconomic headwinds"
The analysis of both TCF (Textile, Clothing, & Footwear) Retail Index and footwear imports show that German consumers chose “to enjoy the present before it is too late”. In July, retail trade was still healthy enough to accommodate the price increases caused, first, by the impact of the pandemic on the global supply, and then, by the skyrocketing of energy prices following the Ukraine crisis, not to mention the high inflation. However, given the free fall of consumers’ and retailers’ confidence observed since March, additional uncertainties are expected to arise throughout Autumn. Furthermore, despite all gains observed in the recent past, the online seems to be losing some track, and the macroeconomic environment will not be an ally during the second half of 2022
Looking exclusively into the available evidence from the comparison between the monthly behaviour of footwear imports and the TCF (Textile, Clothing, & Footwear) Retail Index in Spain, as well as the TCF Retail Indicator by Eurostat, there are not yet red lights on the retail side, so far. But, as more consumers struggle to make ends meet with high inflation and increases in gas and electricity, footwear retail is expected to soon be a victim of the need to divert from non-essentials. Meanwhile, online sales appear to have stabilized, so, with the COVID-19 influence out of the picture, it is up to retailers to continue investing in this channel, where there is much yet to be done
Today we bring you an interview with William Wong, President at Global Footwear Sustainability Summit and Vice President at Hong Kong Footwear Association. We have talked with William about what is going on the footwear industry nowadays
While high inflation remains a concern for the country's economy, data from the FDRA continues to suggest that the increase in footwear prices is somewhat moderating
The sporting goods retailer has changed its name to Nohltaced (Decathlon written backwards) in Evere, Namur and Ghent, for one month, as part of its campaign to promote reverse selling
The Footwear Retail Sales Index (by BdF) reached in July its lower score in thirteen months in a row, and data from imports from the same month which will most likely make importers revise their decisions to the downside after the increasing value available for june. Despite a slight relief in consumer confidence in August due to Governmental aid, the increase in prices left little space in the wallet for discretionary footwear purchases. Meanwhile, online retail seems to have gained about 50 percentage points in 30 months in France, but data does not allow us yet to conclude whether the footwear segment shares this performance
The new British Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt announced that the Government no longer plans to reintroduce VAT-free shopping for overseas visitors. Luxury and retail sectors are against it
Watch out an interview with our Editor, Joana Vaz Teixeira, and get the latest updates on the footwear industry, with a focus on the main insights from the performance in 2021, going to the current scenario and the future perspectives
Despite a 6 percentage points gain in the TCF (Textile, Clothing, & Footwear) Retail Sales Index in the second quarter of 2022, over the prior one, and a positive trajectory in footwear imports, prospects do not look good for retail. Amidst skyrocketing inflation and the worst consumer sentiment since 1974, the footwear consumer can barely afford further price increases, making the retail volume tilted to the downside. With the threat of a recession from the fourth quarter on, the majority of retailers believe that the cost-of-living crisis will be almost twice as damaging as the COVID-19 pandemic
Due to inflation, US holiday retail sales are likely to increase in the 2022-2033 holiday season at a slower pace than last year. E-commerce might be an opportunity as consumers try to maximize their spending
The UK Government is planning to reintroduce VAT-free shopping for overseas visitors to boost business growth. Luxury and retail sectors have welcomed the measure