World
Majority of EU countries approve the Mercosur trade deal
A qualified majority of EU states have given the green light for the bloc to sign its largest free trade agreement with the South American bloc Mercosur, 25 years after negotiations began
AI has not yet matured sufficiently to meet the specific needs of the industry
This is one of the key findings from the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, conducted in October and November 2025. We asked our panel of experts to share their views on the impact of AI in the footwear industry. Here’s what they told us
Portugal: footwear components target foreign markets
The Portuguese footwear components sector is set to bolster its international presence through initiatives in key markets, including Spain, the United States, France, Italy and the UK
UK retail sales fall in December as Christmas boost fails
BDO’s latest High Street Sales Tracker shows that discretionary retail sales fell by 1.4% year-on-year in December, representing the weakest monthly performance since November 2024
Cotance and industriAll Europe outline roadmap for the EU leather sector
Cotance and industriAll Europe have adopted a new Social Dialogue Work Programme 2026-2030. This is aimed at strengthening the skills, sustainability and competitiveness of the EU leather industry
European footwear and apparel industries face reindustrialisation challenges
With production still concentrated in Asia, the European footwear and apparel industries are navigating reindustrialisation, with value-added manufacturing, regulation and sustainability emerging as key factors
AI gains ground across the footwear industry
Artificial intelligence is being increasingly adopted across the footwear industry, with applications ranging from optimising design and production to managing the supply chain and creating smart footwear
Rethinking business models in a changing footwear market
In response to evolving market conditions, footwear companies are reshaping their business models through customisation, digitalisation and the use of artificial intelligence
Footwear industry looks to technology and innovation to shape its future
Innovation and technology were at the centre of a discussion on the future of the footwear industry. The speakers of an international conference held under the FAIST Agenda addressed issues such as production shifts, adoption barriers, and workforce transformation
Retail Flash: insights from key footwear markets
Explore the main retail dynamics across France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, the US and Spain based on our latest Retail Flash reports, highlighting that e-commerce expansion and import pressures continue to reshape retail across Europe, while stronger sales growth occurs in Japan and in the US
Automation and robotics as a growth engine for the footwear industry
Automation and robotics are shaping the future of footwear manufacturing. Amidst labour shortages and mounting competitive pressures, the sector is transforming the way shoes are produced
EU to apply a 3-euro customs duty to e-commerce parcels under 150 euros
A 3-euro customs duty is to be introduced on low-value parcels arriving in the European Union. This move is part of a strategy to reduce the influx of cheap e-commerce imports, such as those sold by online retailers Shein and Temu
From demographics to demand: what lies ahead for the footwear industry
Demographic change, evolving consumer preferences, technological innovation and increasing economic fragmentation are reshaping the global footwear industry, a theme explored at an international conference held under the FAIST Agenda
US Retail: recovery gains ground amid ongoing pressures
Clothing and footwear sales have improved since January, with the latter already exceeding last year’s figures, but overall retail remains slightly below 2024’s levels. Although holiday forecasts point to moderate growth, rising inflation, falling consumer confidence and shifting interest rates suggest an economically fragile backdrop. Trade pressures are also having an impact on the sector: the value of footwear imports increased, but their volume fell, suggesting that retailers are absorbing higher costs through surgical price increases. A one-year suspension of additional tariffs on Chinese footwear provides temporary relief, but economic uncertainty persists
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