World Footwear 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
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.
Netherlands Retail: optimism reigns at the start of the year
Despite falling consumer confidence in the Netherlands, footwear retailers have good reason to be optimistic about 2025. The data shows that consumers have absorbed the expected lower price increases – footwear inflation shows no signs of abating – and will be spending. In fact, overall retail and e-commerce sales in the Netherlands are forecast to grow by 3.5% and 8%, respectively, this year. It’s worth noting that online shopping continues to stand out as a preferred channel for Dutch shoppers
3D printing in footwear is particularly valued in the early stages of production
In the 11th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, we asked our experts about their opinion on the impact of 3D printing in the footwear industry. Read the main conclusions now
Asia expected to Present the Fastest Growth in Footwear Production
In the latest World Footwear Business Conditions Survey we asked our panel of experts about the region which will experience the fastest growth in footwear production over the next five years. Asia ranked first. Africa was listed as a potential emerging hub
Survey reveals growing importance of digital retail channels will continue
The results of the latest World Footwear Business Conditions Survey have been published. Over half of respondents anticipate an increase in the share of digital retail channels over the next three years
Retail Flash: insights from key footwear markets
Explore the main retail trends in France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, the US and Spain from our Retail Flash reports, highlighting volatility in 2024 and mixed consumer and retailer sentiment. In particular, new tariffs on key trading partners could put pressure on US footwear prices, Germany’s online sector continues to expand and Japan faces rising inflation
Japan Retail: no concrete forecasts as the country adjusts to a new economic paradigm
While the online channel continues to stand out in a retail market that has seen a slight increase in spending since September 2024, the fashion sector has struggled the most, most likely due to the warm weather that has affected seasonal shopping. For footwear in particular, after a year of low prices, there’s reason to wonder if the picture of near-zero interest rates could hurt consumer behaviour, as their confidence wanes. The overall stability of imports, despite currency fluctuations, doesn't allow for a concrete forecast
Industry is confident regarding footwear retail prices
77% 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 11th edition of the survey is now available
Cost of raw materials and competition in their home market worry the footwear industry
Respondents of the 11th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey elected the cost of raw materials and competition in their home market as the main difficultie sfaced by the industry
US Retail: fuzzy outlook for the year 2025
While footwear sales are expected to have ended 2024 on a high note, overall retail sales were more subdued than in the previous year, suggesting that consumers were cautiously optimistic throughout the year. However, rising inflation in the final months of the year appears to have made them wary again and import figures suggesting that retailers will need to stock up again may be hard to come by, as the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on goods from Mexico, Canada and China have caused some instability. While the outlook for 2025 is not negative, it is certainly not euphoric
UK Retail: the future is not looking very bright
Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) sales have held their own in the final quarter of the year, showing resilience to the drag from overall retail sales. However, the sticky above-target inflation in the UK over the past year is a cause for concern as wages fail to keep pace. In addition, the higher costs for retailers predicted in the last Budget may leave them with little choice but to raise prices and cut jobs. As much as imports have shown some stability, the future for the retail sector is not looking very bright at the moment
Positive perspectives about the health of footwear business continue
More than 65% of the respondents of the last edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey seem confident regarding the health of their businesses. The 11th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey results are now available
Employment in the footwear sector expected to stabilize
In the latest edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, two-thirds 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
Germany Retail: cautious optimist prevails as the year begins
There are no fireworks in the German retail sector. Overall sales are stable, with e-commerce standing out, inflation is on target, and consumer confidence, which remains negative, has risen slightly. However, retailers have experienced a rollercoaster of emotions throughout 2024, and the only certainty at the start of the year is cautious optimism. Political turmoil, economic difficulties and geopolitical conflicts could just as easily lead to a turbulent year for retail-
-
Footwear Consumer 2030
A study reflecting on the main global consumer trends and the key changes for the footwear industry.
-
World Footwear Public Calendar
Click here to subscribe an updated version of the calendar displaying the footwear trade shows.
-
-
-
-
-
Media Partners
Media Partners
-
MPA Style
Revista del Calzado
SHOES-MAGAZINE.COM
Shoe Intelligence