News
AI takes centre stage at the upcoming UITIC Congress
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
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
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
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
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
Uniqlo parent company reports strong nine-month performance
The Japan-based fashion retailer Fast Retailing has reported a strong performance over the first nine months of its fiscal year, reiterating its outlook for the full year
Loro Piana placed under court administration in Italy over worker exploitation
The luxury cashmere label owned by LVMH has been placed under judicial administration for a year due to suspected worker exploitation and insufficient oversight within its supply chain
Allbirds signs three new distribution agreements
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
US and Indonesia reach tariff deal
Both the US President Donald Trump and the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said that the tariffs faced by the Southeast Asian country would be reduced from 32% to 19%
Converse set to welcome new President and CEO
Jared Carver, the current CEO and President of the Converse brand, is expected to step down. Nike veteran Aaron Cain is allegedly set to take on the leadership role
2025 I.S.P.O. World Congress draws 3 200 participants
The 20th edition of the I.S.P.O. World Congress, which focused on how collaboration and innovation can promote sustainable rehabilitation, attracted 3 200 participants from more than 100 countries
Stability is the word for employment levels in the footwear sector
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
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
Trump intensifies trade tensions with the EU and Mexico
Tensions are rising over trade after US President Donald Trump sent letters to the European Union (EU) and Mexico threatening to impose a 30% tariff on their goods from the 1st of August
Miguel Vieira in the spotlight in Milan
In an effort to reach a broader audience, the Portuguese fashion designer returned to the Milan Fashion Week runway to present his Spring/Summer 2026 collection
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