While 2024 began with consistent, albeit modest (around 1% monthly) growth, a concerning trend emerged in March, with retail sales falling sharply by 7.9% as compared to the previous month. However, a silver lining remains. Fashion is currently the retail sector experiencing the least inflation, and consumers still hold some optimism about the overall economy. This suggests that a period of resilience may be needed from retailers, but a potential rebound could be on the horizon
  

Footwear exports in 2023 faced a gradual decline, resulting in a year-end figure that was 0.6% lower in value as compared to the previous year. Negative import figures also suggest a lack of momentum in the market   

Exports of leather and leather goods fell by nearly 10% in the fiscal year ending last March, as compared with the previous fiscal year, due to weak demand from markets such as the US and Europe   

Fábrica de Calçado da Mata, a Portuguese company specialising in men's shoes, has just had its environmental management system certified, marking another important step in its sustainability journey, with the US on the horizon   

The luxury group has reported a decline in both sales and profits amid a slowdown in demand for luxury goods, which particularly affected its performance in mainland China and the US