World
European footwear production drops in the last 4 decades
Footwear production increased in 2021 by 8.6% to a total of 22 billion pairs of shoes, but Europe is only responsible for 2.8% of the world’s production. Asia ensures, at this stage, 88.2% of the global production
Portuguese footwear industry to invest 50 million to be the most modern in the world
In a project coordinated by the Footwear Technology Centre of Portugal (CTCP), the Portuguese footwear industry is bringing together 45 partners to develop the intelligent factory of the future
Join the 8th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey
The WorldFootwear.com is asking all experts within the footwear industry to share their views on the current business situation. Join the new edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey. We want to hear you!
UK retail sales volume rose in February despite an unexpected inflation hike
Retail sales volume is estimated to have grown by 1.2% last month, following a rise of 0.9% in January 2023. When compared with the same month a year earlier, sales volumes fell by 3.5%
Japan retail: unlocking consumer confidence is key for retail
The volume of footwear imports closed 2022 about 10 percentage points below the 2015 baseline, suggesting that the impact of the imported inflation on prices has been clouding the real performance of retail sales in the category. Both the government and some companies have offered inflation allowances or anti-inflation subsidies, but given the saving Japanese mindset, it can be expected that any additional disposable income will not necessarily be used for discretionary shopping, such as clothing and footwear. To boost consumption, it is therefore needed to unlock consumer confidence, which improved only marginally In February, and appears now to be flattening
Brazil and Argentina defend the continuity of the TEC
Both the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and the Footwear Industry Chamber from Argentina (CIC) stressed the importance of the External Tariff of Mercosur (TEC) for the sustainability of the sector
UK Spring Budget fails to meet retailers expectations
British retail bodies believe the Government could have gone further to support businesses with the Spring Budget. No changes were introduced concerning VAT-free shopping, shopping hours or business rates
US discretionary retail sales dropped in February
According to Circana (formerly IRI) and the NPD Group, discretionary US general merchandise retail sales fell by 4% last month, year-over-year, and unit sales were down by 5%
US Retail: slower growth for retail in the coming months
The available data suggests that footwear sales dipped in the last quarter of 2022. With inflation eating the wage growth and impacting the stability of the labour market, US consumers appear to have deemed footwear purchases as not essential. This situation is somewhat corroborated by the negative performances of several companies in the fashion category, such as Capri, Nordstrom and VF Corp, in the fourth quarter of the year. Their main concern relates to the excess inventory, which led to a highly promotional environment and caused imports to reduce. Accounting for the mixed feelings on the consumers’ side, it is safe to endorse cautious prospects for retail for these first months of 2023
ACCC launches investigation on Australian businesses for greenwashing
Australia's Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will investigate several businesses, especially in the cosmetic, clothing and footwear and food and drink sectors, for potential greenwashing
AAFA partners up with the International Apparel Federation
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) have renewed their commitment to bring industry players together across the globe
Leather has a role to play in the fight against deforestation
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has called out for traceability along the leather value chain, while signalizing the key role leather can play in the fight against deforestation
Sustainable, please. But not more expensive!
Sustainability is on the agenda of most footwear brands. Given such importance, in the latest edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey we have asked our experts if consumers will be willing to pay more for sustainability
German online footwear sales declined by 16.6% in 2022
With consumer spending taking a hit due to the war in Ukraine, online sales fell by 8.8% in 2022, year-over-year. But the footwear sector was the most affected, says BEVH
Germany Retail: one swallow doesn’t make a summer
Despite the upturn in consumer confidence observed in the last quarter of 2022, there is still much concern among retailers. Footwear imports are following an upward trend since October, which could be read as a good sign concerning the health of retail, but German businesses are quite familiar with the sensitivity of their consumers to slight changes in overall economic conditions, and inflation is still expected to impact directly sales. Caution seems definitely to be the watchword at the start of 2023
Media Partners
Media Partners
-
UNIT Publishing House
Revista del Calzado
SHOES-MAGAZINE.COM
Fotoshoe