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Less Optimism about Footwear Consumption in 2025
The results of 12th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey are now available. The average expected growth rate for footwear consumption is 7.6%, slightly less than the 8.4% projection made in the last quarter of 2024
In this edition of the survey, as in the previous ones, we asked our experts to share their predictions for footwear consumption worldwide, measured in pairs, in 2025 compared to 2024.
As in the previous questions, expectations of growth largely surpass those of decline: two-thirds of the respondents anticipate some level of growth, while only 18.3% expect consumption to decrease. The average expected growth rate, aggregating all forecasts, is 7.6%, slightly less than the 8.4% projection made in the last quarter of 2024.
This decrease in the average expected growth rate from 8.4% to 7.6% likely reflects a decline in optimism driven by the imposition of President Trump’s new tariffs and the prevailing macroeconomic environment. Combined with broader economic challenges – such as weakening global demand, persistent inflationary pressures, and heightened uncertainty – the tariff shocks have contributed to more cautious growth forecasts and a less optimistic outlook for the coming period.
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Contents
Executive SummaryBusiness Context
Health of the Business
Employment Level
Prices
Quantity
Difficulties
Retail Channels
Less Optimism about Footwear Consumption in 2025
Trump's Tariffs Expected to Negatively Impact Footwear
AI's Impact in the Footwear Industry
About Survey
Trump's Tariffs Expected to Negatively Impact Footwear
AI's Impact in the Footwear Industry
About Survey
About the Survey
In 2019 the World Footwear has created the World Footwear Experts Panel and is now conducting a Business Conditions Survey every semester.
The objective of the World Footwear Experts Panel Survey is to collect information regarding the current business conditions within the worldwide footwear markets and disseminate this information to provide an accurate overview of the situation of the global footwear industry.
The twelfth edition of this online survey was conducted during the months of April and May 2025.
In this edition, we have obtained 104 valid answers, 36% from Asia, 29% from Africa, 21% from Europe, 8% from North America, 6% from South America, and 1% from Oceania. More than half of respondents (54%) are involved in footwear manufacturing (manufacturers) or footwear trade and distribution (traders) and the remainder in other footwear-related activities, including trade associations (14%), consultancy (9%), education and research (6%), journalism (2%) and other activities (15%).
Previous Editions of this Bulletin can be found HERE
