World
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
FAIST project drives modernisation in the Portuguese footwear industry
The FAIST project aims to transform the Portuguese footwear industry by advancing automation, digital manufacturing, and sustainability. It plans to deliver 80 innovations under its 50 million euros investment
US: Thanksgiving Weekend attracts a record 203 million shoppers
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 202.9 million consumers shopped over the Thanksgiving-Cyber Monday weekend, up from 197 million last year and surpassing the record of 200.4 million set in 2023
Japan Retail: fashion shows strength amid rising cost pressures
The Japanese fashion retail sector is enjoying a standout year, with apparel and footwear sales surging to record highs, despite early signs of cooling demand. Strong Chinese tourist spending has helped to boost results, although geopolitical tensions pose risks for the future. Meanwhile, e-commerce continues to grow much faster than physical retail. Inflation is now converging across categories, with footwear prices rising in line with general inflation. However, the weakening yen is pushing up import costs, leaving retailers reliant on steady consumer demand to absorb rising costs
EU Parliament approves one-year postponement of EUDR start date
The European Parliament has approved the Council’s proposal to postpone the EU Deforestation Regulation’s entry into force by one year, a move intended to simplify due diligence requirements for all stakeholders
Global fashion braces for a challenging 2026
According to the latest State of Fashion report, 46% of executives expect industry conditions to worsen in 2026. Tariff pressures and shifting consumer behaviour are key concerns, while artificial intelligence is seen as a major opportunity
UK Retail: fashion rebounds despite pressure on footwear spending
Since May, the UK’s textile, clothing, and footwear (TCF) sector has regained momentum, outperforming the total retail sector and benefiting from increased online demand. But this rebound masks underlying weaknesses in the footwear sector: consumer spending remains low amid persistent price deflation, and imports have fluctuated significantly as retailers adjust stock levels in response to volatile demand. With inflation still above the target rate and the Budget looming, the retail sector has entered the Golden Quarter with improved sales but constrained by economic uncertainty and cautious consumer behaviour
Leather Naturally appoints two new members to its Management Board
The not-for-profit membership association representing the leather industry has appointed Jim Deheer (Loop Marketing) and Carla Vélez (Leather Cluster Barcelona) to its Management Board
LAST CALL: Join the 13th 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!
French retail groups move to sue fast-fashion giant Shein
A dozen French retail federations and several major brands have launched an “unprecedented” legal action against Shein for unfair competition, citing non-compliance with regulations
Germany Retail: footwear slumps as e-commerce and imports surge
The German retail sector is split in two: the footwear and leather goods market is experiencing one of its worst years, with sales falling by 4.2% year-on-year in the first eight months of the year, while overall retail is growing and e-commerce is booming, fuelled by Asian marketplaces. Complicating matters further, footwear imports have surged in value by 16.9%, defying the decline in domestic sales and raising questions about the country’s trade position. Despite current volatile business conditions and subdued consumer confidence, the industry is cautiously seeking signs of positive change
Consumer-to-Consumer and a big shift in work culture: how Nicoline Van Enter (Footwearology) sees AI
During the 22nd UITIC Congress in Shanghai in September, we had the opportunity to speak with Nicoline Van Enter, CEO and founder of Footwearology, who shared some valuable insights about AI with us. Watch the video with the converstation now
Christian Decker (DESMA): New technologies require a mindset shift
During the 22nd UITIC Congress in Shanghai back in September, we had the opportunity to talk with Christian Decker, CEO of DESMA, who shared with us some great insights about technology and innovation. Watch it now
Leather organisations call for reassessment of leather at COP30
Several organisations in the leather industry are challenging environmental misconceptions and urging COP30 to recognise leather as a sustainable, bio-based material that supports the circular economy
Agostino Apolito (Assomac): Robotics and AI are reshaping the footwear and tanning industries
During the last edition of Simac Tanning Tech in September 2025, we spoke with Mr. Agostino Apolito, the Managing Director of the National Association of the Italian Manufacturers of Footwear, Leather Goods, and Tanning Technologies. Watch the interview here
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