News
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
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
FAIST Voices: meet Atlanta and JPM
Atlanta is a family-owned business specialising in the production of footwear soles. Its main partner, JPM, focuses on providing technology solutions. Together under the FAIST consortium, they are exploring how to replace labour-intensive processes in the footwear sector with technology
Nike quietly offloads its NFT business
The sportswear company finalised the sale of its virtual sneaker subsidiary, RTFKT, to an undisclosed buyer at the end of 2025, quietly marking its exit from the blockchain-based collectibles market
Marubeni strengthens lifestyle brand platform with Jacobson acquisition
As part of a strategic push to develop its scalable lifestyle brand business platform, the Japanese conglomerate Marubeni has acquired the multi-brand footwear owner Jacobson Group Limited
ABF warns on profits as Primark faces tough start to the year
Associated British Foods has revealed that it expects profits to be lower than last year. Primark has had a challenging start to the year, with improvements in UK trading offset by weakness in continental Europe
LVMH reshuffles leadership at Givenchy
Amadine Ohayon is set to take the reins at Givenchy, replacing Alessandro Valenti. Valenti is leaving after just 18 months to take up a senior position at Christian Dior Couture
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
Two Ten Footwear Foundation appoints new Board Chair and Vice Chair
The US-based charitable foundation has appointed Jonathan Frankel, President of Aldo Product Services, as Board Chair, while Ed Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Steve Madden, now serves as Board Vice Chair
Next raises profit forecast on strong Christmas sales
The UK-based fashion retailer has reported strong and better-than-expected Christmas trading results, prompting it to raise its full-year profit forecast
New Generation: Edgar Ferro from Fernando Ferro & Irmão
Edgar Ferro, who has a degree in Business Management, is the second generation to take the helm at the family-owned technology company founded by his father and uncle 25 years ago
Signs of stabilisation emerge in the Italian footwear industry
According to Assocalzaturifici, the Italian footwear industry is beginning to stabilise following a challenging start to the year. However, activity remains below 2024 levels
Dr Luis Zugno: Leather Naturally plays a key role in raising awareness about leather
We spoke to Dr Luis Zugno, Chair of Leather Naturally, a non-profit organisation dedicated to leather education and the promotion of compliant, regulated leather manufacturing. Our conversation focused on the organisation’s role in the industry and current debates surrounding leather
Saks Global names new CEO as bankruptcy filing looms
The parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue has announced that Richard Baker will now take the helm, while retaining his role as Chairman. This statement comes after accounts of potential preparations for bankruptcy
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
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