Economy
EU and UAE agree to open free trade talks
The European Union (EU) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to start Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. The European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC) has welcomed this move
China hits back with 125% tariffs on US goods
China has retaliated against Donald Trump’s latest round on tariffs by raising duties on all US goods to 125% and dismissing the administration’s actions as a “joke”
France Retail: watch out for the snowball effect
Both the footwear and the retail sector as a whole have failed to start the year on a strong footing, according to sales data. Consumers, who seemed to start the year in a more positive mood, took a step back in March and remain pessimistic about the French economy. Import data also suggest that retail confidence is in free fall. All in all, the risk of a snowball effect in the French retail sector cannot be dismissed.
China retaliates with an additional 50% as the US raises tariffs on Chinese goods to 104%
The trade war between China and the US has escalated after Donald Trump’s move to impose 104% tariffs on Chinese goods. Beijing has retaliated with an additional 50%, bringing the total tariff to 84%
US-China tensions escalate over tariff hikes
Donald Trump has threatened China with an additional 50% tariff on goods imported into the US unless the Asian country withdraws its 34% counter-tariff
Retail and business organisations express concern over Trump’s new tariffs
Retail and business organisations from the US and around the world have voiced their concerns over President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs. Read some of these reactions
New US tariffs disrupt global markets
The US administration has imposed a baseline tariff of 10% on all imports into the US, as well as higher targeted tariffs on some of the country’s largest trading partners
Netherlands Retail: optimism reigns at the start of the year
Despite falling consumer confidence in the Netherlands, footwear retailers have good reason to be optimistic about 2025. The data shows that consumers have absorbed the expected lower price increases – footwear inflation shows no signs of abating – and will be spending. In fact, overall retail and e-commerce sales in the Netherlands are forecast to grow by 3.5% and 8%, respectively, this year. It’s worth noting that online shopping continues to stand out as a preferred channel for Dutch shoppers
A quarter of a million jobs lost in five years in the UK retail sector
The UK retail sector has lost nearly a quarter of a million jobs over the past five years, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), highlighting the sector’s ongoing struggles
Concerns over tariffs weigh on US retail spending
Despite growing year-over-year, US retail spending fell on a monthly basis in February amid concerns over tariffs, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor
Matt Priest (FDRA) on Trump administration’s tariff policy: all of this has created a lot of uncertainty in our market
We bring you an interview with Matt Priest, CEO & President of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA). The impact of the tariffs imposed on Mexico, Canada and China on US retailers, consumers and the country's economy dominated the conversation
Shein seeks to reassure investors amid US policy changes
The China-based fast fashion giant has reported that it is experiencing strong growth. The reassurance came after US President Donald Trump first announced the end of the minimis rule
Retail Flash: insights from key footwear markets
Explore the main retail trends in France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, the US and Spain from our Retail Flash reports, highlighting volatility in 2024 and mixed consumer and retailer sentiment. In particular, new tariffs on key trading partners could put pressure on US footwear prices, Germany’s online sector continues to expand and Japan faces rising inflation
Canadian shoe manufacturers prepare for US tariffs
The Canadian footwear industry is collaborating with the government to address US tariffs, while businesses accelerate shipments and secure materials to minimise the impact of possible rising costs. We spoke with Denis Falardeau from the Shoe Manufacturers Association of Canada-
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Footwear Consumer 2030
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