In the latest edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, two-thirds of our panel members responded that they believe the level of employment will stabilise in the next few months. Get free access to the report with the main conclusions
Despite some concerns about inflation, retailers were optimistic about their prospects for the end of 2023, and data on imports at least confirmed a stabilisation in the footwear trade on favourable grounds. Looking at our previous Retail Flash, it’s now safe to say that the clouds are lifting over retail in Spain. On a different note, online fashion has clearly lost the momentum generated during the pandemic
In the latest edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, our panel members predicted an increase of 7.3% in footwear prices over the next six months. Get free access to the report with the main conclusions
UK retail sales rose by 1.7% in the five weeks to the end of December 2023, well below the 6.9% growth recorded in the same period in 2022. Low consumer confidence continues to curb spending
According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), retail sales in the UK were up by 1.3% in November, a slight upturn from a period of no growth in October
German retailers are not expecting a boost from Christmas sales this year. As geopolitical concerns threaten to dampen consumer sentiment, weak demand continues to weigh on their businesses
The French footwear designer is transferring his current operations in India into a joint venture with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL), one of the country’s leading retail chains
Richter Schuhe, Europe’s oldest children’s shoemaker, and fashion retail chain Aachener have filed for bankruptcy. Deichmann to close its My Shoes stores in Austria and Germany by the end of 2024
The US-based retailer has reported another fall in sales and profits in the third quarter of the year, deciding to further cut its guidance for 2023 against a backdrop of ongoing consumer uncertainty
The US-based retailer reported soft trends after Labour Day due to unfavourable weather conditions, which resulted in lower sales and profits. Thus, it lowered its full year guidance
Figures by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) suggest that retail growth slowed down in October due to the impact of inflation, with consumers deciding to reduce spending ahead of the holidays
Despite some positive news on the growth of department store sales and the return of foreign tourists, rising consumer prices set alarm bells ringing in September, suggesting that Japanese consumers in general are cutting back on spending and may be at their breaking point. In addition, the reduction in the volume of footwear imports and the impact of the country’s monetary policy on the cost of imported goods is another sign that footwear retail is unlikely to improve by the end of the year. The Government has been taking measures, but the outcome shouldn’t be seen until 2024
Despite signs of a certain resilience from consumers over the summer, companies are taking a cautious approach for the rest of 2023. The long deceleration in footwear inflation came to a halt in August, so if the trend recedes, wage increases will have to follow suit, or the positive outlook for footwear retail could be jeopardised. It’s not surprising how carefully retailers are managing their inventory at the moment: neither too much nor too little
The sporting goods retailer is expanding its buyback service to all its UK stores. Customers will be given in-store credit for returning products they may have outgrown or no longer use