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NPD: Two Running Brands, Slippers Outperform in April

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While overall U.S. footwear sales declined 56 percent year-over-year in April to $1.2 billion, there were some bright spots for the sector, according to the NPD Group.

Decker Brands-owned Hoka One One and On Running each posted strong sales gains to help the performance category perform better than the industry as a whole, and slipper sales doubled due to splurges on higher-priced styles and more pairs sold as people made themselves more comfortable at home during the pandemic.

Additionally, work/safety boots and sneakers, each essential to many frontline workers, outperformed during the month, according to NPD analyst Beth Goldstein.

Total U.S. footwear sales for the 12 months ended April 30 were $31.5 billion, down 8 percent year-over-year, the research firm reported.