World Footwear

Footwear

Inspiramais wraps up with an attendance of over 8 000 visitors

Jul 25, 2025 / Brazil
The last edition of Brazil’s leading trade fair for materials attracted a record 8 000-plus buyers and industry professionals from the footwear, apparel, furniture, automotive, décor and jewellery sectors

Coats Group acquires OrthoLite

Jul 24, 2025 / United Kingdom
The UK-based manufacturer of industrial threads for the apparel and footwear industries is set to acquire the insole manufacturer OrthoLite for an initial enterprise value of 770 million USD

Genesco and Wrangler sign a multiyear licensing agreement

Jul 24, 2025 / United States
Genesco and the denim and lifestyle brand have signed a multi-year licensing agreement, whereby the former will design, source, and market footwear under the Wrangler brand

AI's impact in the footwear industry

Premium ContentJul 23, 2025 / Business Conditions Survey
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

AI takes centre stage at the upcoming UITIC Congress

Jul 23, 2025 / UITIC
Taking place in Shanghai, the upcoming UITIC Congress comprises a series of four thematic sessions that engage with the main topic of ‘competitiveness and sustainability in the era of artificial intelligence’

Netherlands Retail: mixed signs in the first half of the year

Premium ContentJul 22, 2025 / Netherlands
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

Andy Polk from the Footwear Innovation Foundation: changing the industry from reactive to visionary

Premium ContentJul 21, 2025 / United States
We spoke to Andy Polk, Executive Director of the Footwear Innovation Foundation and Vice President of the FDRA, to learn more about the newly established Foundation and its most recent initiative, the Footwear LaunchPad

Portuguese footwear industry gears up for defence investment

Jul 21, 2025 / Portugal
In light of the anticipated increase in defence spending by NATO countries, the Portuguese footwear industry is gearing up to increase its production of technical footwear

Barefoot European Shoe Fair makes its debut in Offenbach

Jul 18, 2025 / Germany
Europe’s first barefoot footwear trade fair, from the 31st of July to the 3rd of August, will welcome international exhibitors, market research and interactive experiences in a growing market niche

Allbirds signs three new distribution agreements

Jul 17, 2025 / United States
As part of its strategy to achieve long-term, scalable growth in overseas markets, the US-based footwear brand has signed three new distribution agreements covering several countries in the Eurasian region

Stability is the word for employment levels in the footwear sector

Premium ContentJul 16, 2025 / Business Conditions Survey
In the latest edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, nearly half of our panel members responded that they believe the level of employment will stabilise in the next few months. Get free access to the report with the main conclusions

Upcoming Latin American Footwear Forum to foster regional dialogue

Jul 15, 2025 / Latin America
The 2025 edition of the Latin American Footwear Forum will take place from the 13th to the 15th of August in the city of León, Guanajuato. The aim is to foster industry development and regional dialogue

Dr. Martens kicks off the year in line with expectations

Jul 14, 2025 / United Kingdom
In its latest trading update, the UK-based footwear company reiterated its guidance for the full year 2026, with performance from the start of the year remaining in line with expectations

Trump’s 50% tariff threat to Brazil raises alarm in footwear industry

Jul 11, 2025 / United States
Donald Trump has threatened Brazil with a 50% tariff starting on the 1st of August over charges against its former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro. The Brazilian footwear industry has already voiced its concern

Optimistic outlook for the footwear industry’s business health

Premium ContentJul 10, 2025 / Business Conditions Survey
More than 55% of the respondents of the last edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey are confident about the health of their businesses. The 12th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey results are now available
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