World Footwear

Economy

UK Retail: the sector appears to be holding its own

Premium ContentMay 13, 2025 / United Kingdom
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

May 12, 2025 / United States
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

May 5, 2025 / United States
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

Premium ContentApr 28, 2025 / Germany
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

Apr 25, 2025 / Vietnam
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

Premium ContentApr 22, 2025 / Spain
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?

Premium ContentApr 18, 2025 / United States
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

Apr 17, 2025 / United States
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

Apr 17, 2025 / European Union
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

Apr 14, 2025 / China
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

Premium ContentApr 11, 2025 / France
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%

Apr 9, 2025 / China
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

Apr 8, 2025 / United States
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

Apr 7, 2025 / United States
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

New US tariffs disrupt global markets

Apr 4, 2025 / United States
The US administration has imposed a baseline tariff of 10% on all imports into the US, as well as higher targeted tariffs on some of the country’s largest trading partners
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