Retail
Netherlands Retail: mixed signs in the first half of the year
Despite a strong start to 2025, the Dutch retail sector has been experiencing some volatility. Sales in the footwear sector recorded significant fluctuations, reaching their lowest point in April with a decline of 7.5%, before recovering to a decline of 2.5% in May. Notably, the footwear sector experienced negative inflation in these months, meaning consumers paid less for footwear. However, imports to the Netherlands have increased in the first quarter, and Retail confidence remains above zero. Therefore, despite negative consumer confidence and a challenging macroeconomic backdrop, there may still be some hope for the rest of the year
Stability is the word for employment levels in the footwear sector
In the latest edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, nearly half of our panel members responded that they believe the level of employment will stabilise in the next few months. Get free access to the report with the main conclusions
Optimistic outlook for the footwear industry’s business health
More than 55% of the respondents of the last edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey are confident about the health of their businesses. The 12th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey results are now available
Trump's Tariffs Expected to Negatively Impact Footwear
In the latest edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, we have asked our panel about the expected impact of Trump's wave of tariffs in footwear. The expectations are not positive. Read it all by accessing the report with the main conclusions
Footwear industry anticipates sales volumes will increase
More than 60% of the respondents of the last edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey expect quantities of footwear traded in their country to increase over the next six months. The report with the main conclusions of the 12th edition of the survey is now available
Cost of raw materials continues to worry the footwear industry
Cost of merchandise or raw materials maintains its position as the top concern for the footwear industry, according to respondents of the 12th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey. Domestic market challenges have intensified
US core retail sales hold their own
Continued growth in core retail sales in May was shown by data released by the US Census Bureau, despite a downturn in overall sales amid fluctuating tariffs, said the National Retail Federation
Footwear prices to increase over the next six months
75% of the respondents of the last edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey expect footwear retail prices to increase over the next six months. The report with the results of the 12th edition of the survey is now available
British consumers cut back on non-essential spending
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), May recorded the slowest growth in retail sales in 2025, as fashion and full price big-ticket items suffered from lower consumer confidence
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
Dick’s Sporting Goods to acquire Foot Locker for 2.4 billion USD
Dick’s Sporting Goods has announced that it will acquire Foot Locker for 2.4 billion US dollars. This deal will give Dick’s a major international presence and greater market leverage with brands such as Nike and adidas
Early signs of supply chain disruption from the recent trade war
Import cargo at major US container ports is expected to decline year-on-year for the first time in over a year and a half in May, as the effects of the trade war on the supply chain start to become apparent
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
Saks Global lays off hundreds of people
Saks Global, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, has laid off hundreds of employees as part of a plan to consolidate operations as the retailers merge
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-
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