Imports
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
Import growth continues in Brazil’s footwear industry
Brazil’s footwear imports increased in January by 34.3% in volume and 31.2% in value year-on-year. This growth comes amid slowing domestic consumption and weakening national production
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
Brazilian exports end 2025 on stable ground as imports continue to rise
Despite the negative impact of US tariffs on Brazilian footwear exports, the industry ended 2025 broadly stable, according to Abicalçados. Meanwhile, imports continue to rise
Signs of stabilisation emerge in the Italian footwear industry
According to Assocalzaturifici, the Italian footwear industry is beginning to stabilise following a challenging start to the year. However, activity remains below 2024 levels
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
EU to apply a 3-euro customs duty to e-commerce parcels under 150 euros
A 3-euro customs duty is to be introduced on low-value parcels arriving in the European Union. This move is part of a strategy to reduce the influx of cheap e-commerce imports, such as those sold by online retailers Shein and Temu
Brazilian footwear exports decline in November amid rising imports
Brazilian footwear exports fell in November, with shipments to the US, its main market, continuing to decline while imports surged. The trade balance is being pressured by US tariffs and growing inflows from Asia
US Retail: recovery gains ground amid ongoing pressures
Clothing and footwear sales have improved since January, with the latter already exceeding last year’s figures, but overall retail remains slightly below 2024’s levels. Although holiday forecasts point to moderate growth, rising inflation, falling consumer confidence and shifting interest rates suggest an economically fragile backdrop. Trade pressures are also having an impact on the sector: the value of footwear imports increased, but their volume fell, suggesting that retailers are absorbing higher costs through surgical price increases. A one-year suspension of additional tariffs on Chinese footwear provides temporary relief, but economic uncertainty persists
Japan Retail: fashion shows strength amid rising cost pressures
The Japanese fashion retail sector is enjoying a standout year, with apparel and footwear sales surging to record highs, despite early signs of cooling demand. Strong Chinese tourist spending has helped to boost results, although geopolitical tensions pose risks for the future. Meanwhile, e-commerce continues to grow much faster than physical retail. Inflation is now converging across categories, with footwear prices rising in line with general inflation. However, the weakening yen is pushing up import costs, leaving retailers reliant on steady consumer demand to absorb rising costs
UK Retail: fashion rebounds despite pressure on footwear spending
Since May, the UK’s textile, clothing, and footwear (TCF) sector has regained momentum, outperforming the total retail sector and benefiting from increased online demand. But this rebound masks underlying weaknesses in the footwear sector: consumer spending remains low amid persistent price deflation, and imports have fluctuated significantly as retailers adjust stock levels in response to volatile demand. With inflation still above the target rate and the Budget looming, the retail sector has entered the Golden Quarter with improved sales but constrained by economic uncertainty and cautious consumer behaviour
Germany Retail: footwear slumps as e-commerce and imports surge
The German retail sector is split in two: the footwear and leather goods market is experiencing one of its worst years, with sales falling by 4.2% year-on-year in the first eight months of the year, while overall retail is growing and e-commerce is booming, fuelled by Asian marketplaces. Complicating matters further, footwear imports have surged in value by 16.9%, defying the decline in domestic sales and raising questions about the country’s trade position. Despite current volatile business conditions and subdued consumer confidence, the industry is cautiously seeking signs of positive change
Türkiye restricts footwear imports via postal and express channels over safety concerns
The Turkish Ministry of Trade has introduced new restrictions on the import of several products, including footwear, via postal and express delivery services due to safety concerns
France Retail: operating in the dark
Overall retail sales have struggled to stay afloat this year, and the footwear sector has performed even worse. Despite a 1.9% increase in the value of footwear imports and an 8.4% increase in the volume of imports in the first half of the year, sales decreased by 1.4% in value and 2.6% in volume in the first eight months, suggesting that retailers are focusing on lower-cost stock. The sector’s challenges are exacerbated by below-target inflation and a sharp fall in consumer confidence. As political uncertainty continues to cast a shadow over consumer and retail sentiment, hopes for a turnaround are almost entirely on the Black Friday and Christmas shopping seasons
Lu Hua (CLIA): The Chinese domestic market is an opportunity for all brands
During the last edition of the UITIC Congress, we spoke with Lu Hua, Deputy Secretary General of CLIA, the China Leather Industry Association. A nice conversation about the Chinese footwear industry and the UITIC Congress. Watch it here today-
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