Economy
Disruptions in the Red Sea continued into the third quarter
Global ocean carrier AP Moller-Maersk has warned that the coming months will be difficult for both carriers and businesses as the conflicts in the Red Sea continue to affect the normal functioning of supply chains
US Retail: there’s still a great deal of uncertainty
There are still no solid signs of a recovery in the footwear retail sector. Despite mirroring last year’s trend, sales are consistently lower than in 2023, and footwear imports continue their downward trajectory. This may suggest that prices have not yet reached a level where consumers will bite. The truth is that the US economy has made great progress and inflation has eased considerably, but not enough to reassure consumers, who are still uncertain about what will happen next. And when that happens, discretionary items always pay the price
Low expectations for a recovery in the Italian luxury sector
There are no signs that the downturn in the luxury sector is over, says the Confindustria Moda. Only 1 in 10 entrepreneurs expects an improvement in the second quarter of the year
Germany Retail: positive signs on the horizon, but it’s not yet time to pop the champagne
Good news keep coming, but no one is out of the woods yet. Footwear retail sales outperformed overall retail sales in January and February, although they remain lower than the same period last year. Consumer sentiment remains negative but is improving, driven by lower inflation rates and wage growth, and retailer sentiment, although more negative, is following the trend. With recent news of a better economic outlook for the year and a rise in the value of imports at the start of the year, there is a chance that consumers will pull retailers up. Let’s see how the coming months unfold
Golden Goose postpones IPO
Permira-backed luxury sneaker company Golden Goose has postponed its IPO due to a climate of political uncertainty in Europe. The shares were due to start trading next Friday
UK retail sales pick up slightly in May
UK retail sales rose by a modest 0.7% year-on-year in May, following an April that was hit by an early Easter and poor weather. Online non-food sales appear to have turned the corner, says the BRC
Indonesian footwear industry hit by a lay-off wave
The recent closure of PT Shoes Bata Tbk, a subsidiary of footwear company Bata, with the lay-off of 233 people, has highlighted a wave of redundancies that has hit the Indonesian footwear industry
UK exits recession
The UK has emerged from recession. Official figures show that the economy has grown by 0.6% between January and March, the fastest rate in two years
Brazilian footwear production to grow in 2024 driven by domestic demand
Brazilian footwear production is expected to grow between 0.9% and 2.2% year-on-year in 2024, driven by a surge in domestic demand, according to the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados)
The rise of the second-hand fashion market
The global second-hand fashion market is expected to reach 350 billion USD by 2028, according to ThredUP's latest resale report. Value-conscious consumers, a greater concern for the environment and a desire for uniqueness seem to be driving this “revolution”, with new generations leading the way
EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement has officially come into effect
The EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which took effect on the 1st of May, is expected to increase trade between the two regions by 30%, creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers
Footwear retail in 2024: signs of recovery or a bumpy ride ahead?
High inflation squeezed margins in footwear retail throughout 2023. To glimpse the industry's 2024 outlook, we analysed results from key players like manufacturers Yue Yuen and Stella Holdings and retailers Foot Locker, JD Sports, Shoe Carnival, and Genesco
World Footwear Voices: interview with Steve Lamar from AAFA
Today we bring you a conversation with Steve Lamar, President and CEO at American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). Watch the new episode of the World Footwear Voices
UK Retail: challenging times may be ahead after disappointing fourth quarter in 2023
Retail sales of clothing and footwear disappointed in the last quarter of the year after a promising start on Black Friday. This is not particularly surprising given that prices in the category fell more slowly than overall prices and items remain relatively more expensive, making consumers more cautious in their choices. There are some long-term positive signs for retailers when it comes to consumer confidence, but there are likely to be some bumps in the road in the meantime
Trade associations from around the world call on countries to defend maritime safety
In response to the recent attacks in the Red Sea, more than 100 trade associations are calling on countries to join, support or align with the mission of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an initiative that stands for maritime safety-
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