World Footwear

Economy

2025 brings questions to the Italian leather sector

Dec 27, 2024 / Italy
Italy's tanning industry currently struggles with declining demand, rising economic pressures and labour challenges, while hopes for recovery hinge on global economic, political and trade stability

France Retail: retailers cautiously optimistic for the holidays

Premium ContentDec 23, 2024 / France
October brought good news for footwear sales and retailer confidence is also on the rise, despite negative footwear inflation and rising costs. However, the picture isn’t clear regarding consumer confidence, which fell to a five-month low in November as households worried about the economic outlook in light of France’s difficult political environment. Will this weigh on footwear sales in the last two months of the year, or will recent news that consumers are planning to spend more on the festive season prevail?

Challenges loom for the Brazilian footwear industry in 2025

Dec 19, 2024 / Brazil
With tax reform and trade protection as priorities, Brazil's footwear industry expects pressing challenges in 2025, including payroll tax changes, high interest rates and import competition

Shoe Zone issues profit warning

Dec 19, 2024 / United Kingdom
The British footwear retailer has cut its full year adjusted profit forecast due to difficult trading conditions and increased costs resulting from the October government budget

Netherlands Retail: good expectations for the footwear holiday season

Premium ContentDec 17, 2024 / Netherlands
After record growth between July and September, footwear sales fell abruptly in October, accompanied by a hiccup in consumer confidence. But that’s no cause for despair: lower footwear inflation has kept footwear prices relatively stable and there has been a recent upturn in retailer confidence. This could bode well for the future of footwear imports, especially with the festive season just around the corner. In this context, the online channel will continue to be favoured by Dutch consumers to shop

EU and Mercosur conclude free trade negotiations

Dec 9, 2024 / European Union
Last Friday, the European Union and the Mercosur bloc agreed on the much-delayed free trade agreement. The deal is now subject to approval by the Council and Parliament

Global luxury spending to hold steady in 2024

Nov 29, 2024 / World
Growth in luxury experiences and shrinking demand for luxury goods highlight a shift in consumer priorities as brands navigate changing market dynamics and regional challenges

Horacio Moschetto (CIC): we aim to adapt and position the Argentine footwear sector as a global benchmark

Premium ContentNov 26, 2024 / Argentina
We spoke to Horacio Moschetto, who has headed the Chamber of the Footwear Industry from Buenos Aires since 2003. We discussed the current challenges and opportunities for Argentina’s footwear sector

US Consumer Confidence recovers in October

Nov 22, 2024 / United States
October marked broad improvements in consumer sentiment across age and income groups, with expectations for economic growth exceeding thresholds that typically signal recession concerns

German consumer sentiment shows signs of improvement

Nov 8, 2024 / Germany
German consumer sentiment rose more than expected in November despite high prices and a difficult labour market, according to GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM)

Japan Retail: the picture is unclear for both consumers and retailers

Premium ContentNov 5, 2024 / Japan
Contrary to what was suggested in our previous flash, fashion retail sales have fallen sharply since April, by a total of 22.8%, while total retail sales have remained somewhat stable. In this context, the low footwear inflation in Japan, now close to 0%, tends to indicate a lack of demand. Perhaps the growth in consumer spending and tourism will help to turn the situation around, especially given the falling yen in September. However, for now, the future remains unclear for all

US holiday retail sales expected to rise up to 3.3% in 2024

Oct 10, 2024 / United States
Consulting firm Deloitte forecasts that holiday retail sales will increase between 2.3% and 3.3% in 2024, driven by a projected 7% to 9% growth in e-commerce as consumers continue to shift to online

Spain Retail: the future looks brighter for retail

Premium ContentOct 7, 2024 / Spain
Fashion sales finally picked up in July and August and are back in the green, after a worrying March. The truth is that the prospect of better economic growth and recent falls in inflation and unemployment have reassured Spanish consumers and given them a sense that the future may be brighter. All in all, this has led retailers to stock up in the hope that sales will continue to rise in the coming months. If these factors remain in place, the footwear sector is likely to end the year on a positive note

Luxury hit a rough patch

Premium ContentOct 1, 2024 / World
Looking back on the first half of the year, it would be hard to argue that luxury is in for a smooth ride. Will this challenging period continue? And for how long?

US retail sales continue to increase despite slower employment growth

Sep 27, 2024 / United States
According to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, August retail data showed steady growth, with total sales up by 2.11% year-on-year, led by solid performances in the online, clothing, and health sectors, even as job growth slowed
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