Recent developments in the Dutch retail market reveal an increasing gap. Although consumer confidence has deteriorated sharply, retailers remain positive and footwear imports have shown resilience. Yet, footwear continues to lag behind the broader retail sector, facing weaker demand, persistent price pressure, and inconsistent sales. Meanwhile, online retail remains structurally strong, reflecting the ongoing shift in consumer purchasing behaviour   

If the European footwear sector is to address the growing environmental impact of consumption, it must accelerate its transition to circularity. This was the key message of a conference organised by APICCAPS in Brussels as part of the BioShoes4All project   

International footwear trade began 2026 under pressure. In the first quarter of the year, most of the main production-based exporters analysed recorded a decline in exports, while several major consumption markets also reduced their imports. The results point to a cautious start to the year for global footwear, although the impact varied substantially across country profiles   

The Sweden-based fashion retailer reported that sales remained broadly unchanged in local currencies in the second quarter, while improved margins and lower costs helped to increase profitability