Economy
Brazilian footwear industry outlook points to stability in 2026
The performance of the Brazilian footwear industry is expected to remain broadly stable in 2026, following a challenging start to the year marked by weak domestic consumption and falling export figures
Japan Retail: fashion falls out of step with the market
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
US Retail: footwear under pressure as retail holds
Although overall sales remained stable in 2025, performance within the fashion sector was mixed, with clothing outperforming the far more volatile footwear segment. At the same time, weakening consumer sentiment persisted despite easing monetary policy, signalling growing uncertainty. This is particularly evident in footwear imports, which reversed sharply after a strong start to the year and declined alongside retail sales, even as import prices continued to rise. The combination of falling volumes and higher costs points to a sector increasingly squeezed by soft demand and ongoing supply-side issues
EU-Mercosur trade deal set for provisional application from May 1
The EU-Mercosur interim trade agreement is set to be provisionally applied from the 1st of May, despite objections from certain member states and requests for clarification from the European Parliament. We have asked industry representatives from both sides of the Atlantic to comment
Spanish footwear sector warns against ultra-fast-fashion model
Several major organisations from the Spanish footwear and leather goods industry issued a joint declaration raising concerns over the rapid expansion of ultra-fast fashion platforms in Europe
Germany Retail: Footwear under pressure amid clouded outlook
Germany’s footwear and leather goods sector remained under pressure in 2025, with weak consumer and retail confidence, falling sales, and substantial discounts weighing on the market, despite the expansion of the online channel and a significant increase in footwear imports. Looking ahead, industry representatives appear to anticipate cautious stabilisation rather than a clear rebound. While e-commerce and Germany’s role as a regional hub offer some support, weak domestic demand and persistent uncertainty continue to cloud the outlook
France Retail: uncertainty hangs over the year ahead
The French retail sector remained largely stagnant in 2025. Subdued sales, declining consumer confidence and cautious household spending negatively impacted footfall and average basket sizes in physical stores. While e-commerce continued to grow, the footwear sector experienced falling sales, negative sentiment and limited inflationary support. Data on imports also suggests that retailers have adopted more cautious inventory management strategies. Even the approval of the new Budget does not appear to lift the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the year ahead
Netherlands Retail: The sector held its ground in 2025, but momentum is cooling
The retail sector in the Netherlands remained resilient in 2025, achieving moderate growth. However, the fashion retail sector, including the footwear sub-sector, was more volatile. While overall inflation eased, clothing and footwear saw subdued or negative price dynamics, potentially suggesting limited pricing power. Despite relatively stable retail sentiment, consumer confidence deteriorated towards the end of the year, which, together with a slowdown in footwear imports, points to a softer trade outlook
US and India reach deal to reduce tariffs to 18%
US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with India, which will see tariffs on Indian goods cut from from 50% to 18%, linking the move to India halting Russian oil purchases and lowering trade barriers
EU and India conclude free trade agreement talks
India and the European Union have finalised a free trade agreement that will reduce tariffs on most goods. This is the largest deal of its kind ever concluded by either party
Trump backs down on Greenland tariff threat
The US has cancelled its threat to impose tariffs on eight European countries in an effort to push for US control of Greenland, following talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
US threatens tariff hikes on eight European countries over Greenland dispute
President Donald Trump announced that the US plans to impose additional tariffs on imports from eight European countries, citing a dispute over Greenland as the reason
Majority of EU countries approve the Mercosur trade deal
A qualified majority of EU states have given the green light for the bloc to sign its largest free trade agreement with the South American bloc Mercosur, 25 years after negotiations began
Retail Flash: insights from key footwear markets
Explore the main retail dynamics across France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, the US and Spain based on our latest Retail Flash reports, highlighting that e-commerce expansion and import pressures continue to reshape retail across Europe, while stronger sales growth occurs in Japan and in the US
From demographics to demand: what lies ahead for the footwear industry
Demographic change, evolving consumer preferences, technological innovation and increasing economic fragmentation are reshaping the global footwear industry, a theme explored at an international conference held under the FAIST Agenda-
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Footwear Consumer 2030
A study reflecting on the main global consumer trends and the key changes for the footwear industry.
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World Footwear Public Calendar
Click here to subscribe an updated version of the calendar displaying the footwear trade shows.
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