Imports
Spain Retail: will the positive momentum hold up?
Fashion retail sales were generally positive from July to November 2024, but will this trend continue? While we await official data on year-end sales, the negative footwear inflation seen in October and November, combined with a rise in consumer confidence, may have helped to boost spending. And with import figures showing that retailers were stocking up, let’s hope the holidays were the reason, as a recent dip in retail confidence could be just the bad news the sector didn’t need to hear at the start of the year
France Retail: retailers cautiously optimistic for the holidays
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?
Footwear imports pressure South African manufacturers
South Africa's footwear imports surged by nearly 35% this year, while local production fell by 15%, prompting SAFLIA and unions to seek solutions to the challenges faced by local manufacturers
Brazilian footwear industry eyes recovery despite growing trade pressures
The Brazilian footwear industry is expected to surpass pre-pandemic production levels in 2025. However, rising low-cost competition from imports poses challenges to local manufacturers
Retail Flash: insights from key footwear markets
Explore the main retail trends in France, Germany, Japan, the UK, the US and Spain from our Retail Flash reports, highlighting a mix of recovery, persistent challenges and cautious optimism in global markets. In particular, while France and Germany continue to struggle, the US and Spain show signs of retail optimism
Steve Madden to cut on sourcing goods from China for fear of Trump’s tariffs
The US company is accelerating its plans to move production out of China after Trump’s victory in the country's presidential election increased the likelihood of higher tariffs on imported goods
Japan Retail: the picture is unclear for both consumers and retailers
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 Retail: expectations on the rise for the last quarter
The summer months have brought relief to footwear retailers, as sales in the category now appear to be on an upward trend. Although consumers remain cautious, the slowdown in employment and inflation is somehow starting to lift their spirits and retailers are showing signs of restocking. As the winter holidays approach, and despite question marks over the geopolitical turmoil and the upcoming presidential election, it’s safe to say that expectations are on the rise
UK Retail: good signs for the run-up to Christmas
The cold weather in July did not bring good news for the UK retail sector, but the following two months spiced things up again. Fashion retail sales appear to be back on track with the wider economy, as continued falling inflation has led to lower prices. Consumers are still reluctant to spend given the difficulties of recent years, but the challenge for retailers is now to keep up and not fall behind again in order to boost demand in the months leading to Christmas
German leather goods and luggage industry expects challenging second half
Falling sales and imports in the first half of 2024 show the difficult moment the German leather goods industry is experiencing, with little hope of a turnaround in the second half of the year
Germany Retail: dark clouds are hanging again over the footwear sector
The positive signs on the horizon for the footwear retail sector reported in the previous Flash were short-lived. Sales in the first half of the year were not what retailers had hoped for, and the continued stabilisation of shoe prices shows no signs of turning the situation around. Against a negative macroeconomic backdrop, consumer confidence has been downward, and retailers face many challenges, including business closures and labour market instability. Footwear imports have started to fall, pointing to a possible crisis in the sector
Spain Retail: the future looks brighter for retail
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
AAFA urges US President Biden to prevent potential strikes at the East and Gulf Coast ports
The AAFA is urging the US administration to intervene and prevent strikes at East and Gulf Coast ports. These ports accounted for 53% of all US apparel, footwear and accessories imports in 2023
France Retail: still a blurred picture for footwear retail
French footwear retailers seem to be at a crossroads trying to figure out what will happen next. Prices are flat, sales are slow, consumer confidence is in general volatile, and stocks are building up (leading to a fall in imports). There was, however, a small improvement in consumer confidence in August, in line with the downward trend in inflation, suggesting that a much-needed relief may be reaching French households. Still, this may not be enough to boost retail sales this year as political uncertainty continues to cloud the horizon
Brazilian footwear: trade balance falls by 30% up to August
Brazilian footwear exports continue to fall, while imports continue to rise, leading to a 30% drop in the sector’s trade balance. Low international consumption and competing Asian players are behind the decline, says Abicalçados-
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