Retail
France Retail: watch out for the snowball effect
Both the footwear and the retail sector as a whole have failed to start the year on a strong footing, according to sales data. Consumers, who seemed to start the year in a more positive mood, took a step back in March and remain pessimistic about the French economy. Import data also suggest that retail confidence is in free fall. All in all, the risk of a snowball effect in the French retail sector cannot be dismissed.
Retail and business organisations express concern over Trump’s new tariffs
Retail and business organisations from the US and around the world have voiced their concerns over President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs. Read some of these reactions
Netherlands Retail: optimism reigns at the start of the year
Despite falling consumer confidence in the Netherlands, footwear retailers have good reason to be optimistic about 2025. The data shows that consumers have absorbed the expected lower price increases – footwear inflation shows no signs of abating – and will be spending. In fact, overall retail and e-commerce sales in the Netherlands are forecast to grow by 3.5% and 8%, respectively, this year. It’s worth noting that online shopping continues to stand out as a preferred channel for Dutch shoppers
3D printing in footwear is particularly valued in the early stages of production
In the 11th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, we asked our experts about their opinion on the impact of 3D printing in the footwear industry. Read the main conclusions now
A quarter of a million jobs lost in five years in the UK retail sector
The UK retail sector has lost nearly a quarter of a million jobs over the past five years, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), highlighting the sector’s ongoing struggles
Asia expected to Present the Fastest Growth in Footwear Production
In the latest World Footwear Business Conditions Survey we asked our panel of experts about the region which will experience the fastest growth in footwear production over the next five years. Asia ranked first. Africa was listed as a potential emerging hub
Concerns over tariffs weigh on US retail spending
Despite growing year-over-year, US retail spending fell on a monthly basis in February amid concerns over tariffs, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor
Matt Priest (FDRA) on Trump administration’s tariff policy: all of this has created a lot of uncertainty in our market
We bring you an interview with Matt Priest, CEO & President of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA). The impact of the tariffs imposed on Mexico, Canada and China on US retailers, consumers and the country's economy dominated the conversation
Saks Global to cut around 5% of its US corporate staff
Saks Global is laying off about 5% of its US workforce, Bloomberg reported, as the department store continues to integrate its recent acquisition of Neiman Marcus
Survey reveals growing importance of digital retail channels will continue
The results of the latest World Footwear Business Conditions Survey have been published. Over half of respondents anticipate an increase in the share of digital retail channels over the next three years
Retail Flash: insights from key footwear markets
Explore the main retail trends in France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, the US and Spain from our Retail Flash reports, highlighting volatility in 2024 and mixed consumer and retailer sentiment. In particular, new tariffs on key trading partners could put pressure on US footwear prices, Germany’s online sector continues to expand and Japan faces rising inflation
Decathlon to open 20 stores in Argentina
The France-based sporting goods retailer plans to open 20 stores in Argentina by 2026. The move marks Decathlon’s return to Argentina after more than two decades of absence
Japan Retail: no concrete forecasts as the country adjusts to a new economic paradigm
While the online channel continues to stand out in a retail market that has seen a slight increase in spending since September 2024, the fashion sector has struggled the most, most likely due to the warm weather that has affected seasonal shopping. For footwear in particular, after a year of low prices, there’s reason to wonder if the picture of near-zero interest rates could hurt consumer behaviour, as their confidence wanes. The overall stability of imports, despite currency fluctuations, doesn't allow for a concrete forecast
Industry is confident regarding footwear retail prices
77% of the respondents of the last edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey expect footwear retail prices to increase over the next six months. The report with the results of the 11th edition of the survey is now available
Cost of raw materials and competition in their home market worry the footwear industry
Respondents of the 11th edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey elected the cost of raw materials and competition in their home market as the main difficultie sfaced by the industry-
-
Footwear Consumer 2030
A study reflecting on the main global consumer trends and the key changes for the footwear industry.
-
World Footwear Public Calendar
Click here to subscribe an updated version of the calendar displaying the footwear trade shows.
-
-
-
-
Media Partners
Media Partners
-
Schuhkurier
SERMA
SHOES-MAGAZINE.COM
ARS ARPEL