Although inflation is cooling and the macroeconomic situation in Japan is stabilising, consumer confidence remains fragile. Against this backdrop, the fashion industry appears to have fallen out of step, with clothing and footwear prices remaining high while demand continues to weaken. This is evident in the continued decline in apparel and textile sales, contrasting with the resilience of the broader retail sector. At the same time, the weak yen is inflating import costs, forcing footwear companies to pay more without achieving significant increases in sales volume   

The WorldFootwear.com is asking all experts within the footwear industry to share their views on the current business situation. Join the new edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey. WE WANT TO HEAR YOU!   

The Hong Kong-based group highlighted that it is ramping up capacity in Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam as part of its 2026 ‘investment year’, while reporting modest growth in the first quarter   

The Portuguese brand Lemon Jelly has just expanded its portfolio with the launch of the LJ GLYDE, its first knitted shoe designed for spring and an active lifestyle   

The UK-based footwear company has bounced back to profitability in 2025 through strategic cost reductions, offsetting weaker consumer demand amid a more volatile retail backdrop