Economy
US Retail: bleak prospects amid growing uncertainty
The footwear retail sector is definitely underperforming, especially compared with clothing and accessories. The current trade war between the US and its trading partners is not helping consumers recover from last year’s inflationary crisis. Consumer confidence has fallen by almost 30% in the first four months of the year as people believe that shoe prices may rise significantly again. Against this backdrop, importers are at a standstill, trying to guess the best course of action. Uncertainty is the word that best describes the current situation in the sector
UK Retail: the sector appears to be holding its own
The UK retail sector appears to be holding its own despite fears of increased costs as a result of the new Employment Rights Bill. In particular, retail sales of Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) have risen back-to-back in the first quarter of the year, and the improvement in footwear inflation from negative to neutral in March may suggest a boost to demand. Although consumers aren’t exactly optimistic about the future, especially with new rising bills and the ongoing US trade war, retailers still have reasons to restock
US strikes deal with UK, cuts China tariffs for 90 days
The US will reduce import taxes on a set number of British cars and allow some steel and aluminium into the country tariff-free. It will also lower tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% for 90 days.
76 footwear brands urge Donald Trump to exempt shoes from tariffs
Nike, Skechers, Crocs, adidas, Puma, Caleres, VF Corp and Wolverine Worldwide are among the 76 companies that are urging the US administration to exempt footwear from the tariffs, fearing rising costs
Germany Retail: hope rests on the ability of retailers to weather gloomy circumstances
In a landscape where e-commerce is in a league of its own, footwear retailers continue to struggle to regain sales growth, even against the backdrop of overall retail performance. And low inflation in the sector is actually indicative of low demand, not consumer confidence. Indeed, the data shows that consumers remain far more pessimistic than retailers, and a renewed rise in the propensity to save is clouding the overall picture. Given the volatile global trading environment, hope rests on the ability of retailers to weather these gloomy conditions
Vietnam opens trade talks with the US over looming tariffs
Vietnam and the US have formally opened talks over the Trump administration’s threat to impose a 46% tariff on goods from the Southeast Asian country, according to state media reports
Spain Retail: a case for optimism
Despite a decline in fashion sales in January, February bucked the trend, and the data points to a stable performance for the sector in 2025, with online taking the lead. Although the deflation in the apparel and footwear sectors is not good news, retailers in general remain optimistic about the future - as shown by the import data - supported by the economic growth the country has experienced and is expected to continue to experience
What’s next for footwear businesses in a volatile global trade landscape?
We have looked at the prospects for footwear companies in light of the recent US tariffs announcements, highlighting some concerns from both a manufacturing and retail perspective
US retail sales grew in March but consumers are worried
Data released by the US Census Bureau showed that retail sales rose in March, even as consumers continued to worry about the impact of rising tariffs, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said
EU and UAE agree to open free trade talks
The European Union (EU) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to start Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. The European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC) has welcomed this move
China hits back with 125% tariffs on US goods
China has retaliated against Donald Trump’s latest round on tariffs by raising duties on all US goods to 125% and dismissing the administration’s actions as a “joke”
France Retail: watch out for the snowball effect
Both the footwear and the retail sector as a whole have failed to start the year on a strong footing, according to sales data. Consumers, who seemed to start the year in a more positive mood, took a step back in March and remain pessimistic about the French economy. Import data also suggest that retail confidence is in free fall. All in all, the risk of a snowball effect in the French retail sector cannot be dismissed.
China retaliates with an additional 50% as the US raises tariffs on Chinese goods to 104%
The trade war between China and the US has escalated after Donald Trump’s move to impose 104% tariffs on Chinese goods. Beijing has retaliated with an additional 50%, bringing the total tariff to 84%
US-China tensions escalate over tariff hikes
Donald Trump has threatened China with an additional 50% tariff on goods imported into the US unless the Asian country withdraws its 34% counter-tariff
Retail and business organisations express concern over Trump’s new tariffs
Retail and business organisations from the US and around the world have voiced their concerns over President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs. Read some of these reactions-
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