World Footwear

Economy

US retailers try to get ahead of shipping disruptions

Jul 31, 2024 / United States
Despite the risk of being stuck with excess inventory, US retailers are accelerating overseas orders to get ahead of worsening shipping disruptions amid rising freight rates and growing geopolitical concerns

Richard Shetliffe from BFA: we will always look at ways that we can support and offer guidance

Premium ContentJul 29, 2024 / United Kingdom
We spoke to Richard Shetliffe, a veteran of the footwear and accessories industry who was appointed CEO of the British Footwear Association a few months ago, to discuss the role of the association in light of the various challenges facing the UK industry

Disruptions in the Red Sea continued into the third quarter

Jul 26, 2024 / World
Global ocean carrier AP Moller-Maersk has warned that the coming months will be difficult for both carriers and businesses as the conflicts in the Red Sea continue to affect the normal functioning of supply chains

US Retail: there’s still a great deal of uncertainty

Premium ContentJul 23, 2024 / United States
There are still no solid signs of a recovery in the footwear retail sector. Despite mirroring last year’s trend, sales are consistently lower than in 2023, and footwear imports continue their downward trajectory. This may suggest that prices have not yet reached a level where consumers will bite. The truth is that the US economy has made great progress and inflation has eased considerably, but not enough to reassure consumers, who are still uncertain about what will happen next. And when that happens, discretionary items always pay the price

Low expectations for a recovery in the Italian luxury sector

Jul 18, 2024 / Italy
There are no signs that the downturn in the luxury sector is over, says the Confindustria Moda. Only 1 in 10 entrepreneurs expects an improvement in the second quarter of the year

Germany Retail: positive signs on the horizon, but it’s not yet time to pop the champagne

Premium ContentJun 24, 2024 / Germany
Good news keep coming, but no one is out of the woods yet. Footwear retail sales outperformed overall retail sales in January and February, although they remain lower than the same period last year. Consumer sentiment remains negative but is improving, driven by lower inflation rates and wage growth, and retailer sentiment, although more negative, is following the trend. With recent news of a better economic outlook for the year and a rise in the value of imports at the start of the year, there is a chance that consumers will pull retailers up. Let’s see how the coming months unfold

Golden Goose postpones IPO

Jun 20, 2024 / Italy
Permira-backed luxury sneaker company Golden Goose has postponed its IPO due to a climate of political uncertainty in Europe. The shares were due to start trading next Friday

UK retail sales pick up slightly in May

Jun 13, 2024 / United Kingdom
UK retail sales rose by a modest 0.7% year-on-year in May, following an April that was hit by an early Easter and poor weather. Online non-food sales appear to have turned the corner, says the BRC

Indonesian footwear industry hit by a lay-off wave

May 30, 2024 / Indonesia
The recent closure of PT Shoes Bata Tbk, a subsidiary of footwear company Bata, with the lay-off of 233 people, has highlighted a wave of redundancies that has hit the Indonesian footwear industry

UK exits recession

May 16, 2024 / United Kingdom
The UK has emerged from recession. Official figures show that the economy has grown by 0.6% between January and March, the fastest rate in two years

Brazilian footwear production to grow in 2024 driven by domestic demand

May 15, 2024 / Brazil
Brazilian footwear production is expected to grow between 0.9% and 2.2% year-on-year in 2024, driven by a surge in domestic demand, according to the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados)

The rise of the second-hand fashion market

Premium ContentMay 14, 2024 / World
The global second-hand fashion market is expected to reach 350 billion USD by 2028, according to ThredUP's latest resale report. Value-conscious consumers, a greater concern for the environment and a desire for uniqueness seem to be driving this “revolution”, with new generations leading the way

EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement has officially come into effect

May 10, 2024 / New Zealand
The EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which took effect on the 1st of May, is expected to increase trade between the two regions by 30%, creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers

Footwear retail in 2024: signs of recovery or a bumpy ride ahead?

Premium ContentMay 7, 2024 / World
High inflation squeezed margins in footwear retail throughout 2023. To glimpse the industry's 2024 outlook, we analysed results from key players like manufacturers Yue Yuen and Stella Holdings and retailers Foot Locker, JD Sports, Shoe Carnival, and Genesco

World Footwear Voices: interview with Steve Lamar from AAFA

Premium ContentMar 21, 2024 / World Footwear Voices
Today we bring you a conversation with Steve Lamar, President and CEO at American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). Watch the new episode of the World Footwear Voices
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