World Footwear

Highlights

Yearbook 2025

Japan Retail: fashion falls out of step with the market

Apr 22, 2026 Japan

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

Premium Content

Yue Yen signals steep first-quarter profit drop of up to 55%

Apr 23, 2026 Hong Kong

The Hong Kong-based footwear manufacturer expects its first-quarter profit attributable to owners to fall 50-55% amid market headwinds, including fluctuating demand and reciprocal tariffs