By the end of 2013, the footwear sector employed 35 044 people, 420 more than in the previous year (34 624). Already in 2014, hundreds of new jobs have been created, as a result of a new set of investments made by the industry.

On the one hand, multinational ECCO is investing in Portugal, making its unit in Santa Maria da Feira (Porto) the most modern one within the group. Another multinational company, ara, created in Seia 50 new jobs. Simultaneously, several Portuguese companies, faced with the shortage of manpower in the areas of high concentration of the footwear industry are investing within the countryside contributing to the development of areas that are traditionally less developed (Castelo de Paiva, Cabeceiras de Bastos, Celorico de Basto, Paredes de Coura, Cinfães). Carité group just announced a new manufacturing facility in Cinfães, with the first group of employees to start the training process in September, ensuring the unit is completed early next year. Reinado Teixeira from Carité confirms they were challenged by local authorities to invest in the municipality, and decided to go ahead in Cinfães, like they did in Celorico de Basto (where they have 2 factories). Also, Eurodavil created an industrial unit in Pinhel, with 25 employees and 50 others will be created within a month, said Rui Ventura, President of the local City Council. Also, Macosmi invested in Castelo de Paiva and Jóia in Cabeceiras de Basto. Kyaia, owner of the worldwide known brand Fly London, continues to invest in Paredes de Coura and recently announced a major expansion plan in the countryside, which will create 300 new jobs.

This trend reflects the strategy of the industry in Portugal, where footwear exports increased over 40% since 2010. To improve the ability to respond to such a dynamic increase in orders, the industry doesn’t want to consider relocation abroad as local companies favor direct contact with retail and the ability to quickly respond is essential.