The fifth edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey, conducted online in October by APICCAPS (Portuguese Footwear, Components and Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association), found that only 6.3 percent of North American respondents mentioned sustainability concerns when asked what factors are the most relevant today in driving footwear category sales. Overall, the importance of sustainability fell 7 percent to 32 percent from the survey’s prior edition, reversing a continuous upward trend since the report’s first edition in 2019. Price (57%), Fashion Trends (47%) and Purchasing Power (46%) were cited as the key drivers.

Elsewhere in the WFS Survey,

• Panelists predicted global footwear consumption will rise 1.5-5.0 percent in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels but fall 3.6 percent in North America.
• Some 59 percent of respondents said the health of their business would be Strong (46%) or Very Strong (13%) over the next six months. Only 15 percent said the trend would be Weak.
• Overall, 77 percent of respondents predicted higher footwear prices are on the horizon with North America (87%) leading the way.
• Some 57 percent of respondents predicted footwear unit volume will rise over the next six months. Forecasts for North America (57%) and Europe (52%) were lower.
• Sneakers (77%) and Other Sports-Related Footwear (75%) are forecast to grow at the fastest rates through 2024. Conversely, 44 percent predicted a drop in Classic men’s leather footwear and a 37 percent drop in sales of Classic women’s leather footwear.
• The Top 5 business difficulties over the next six months cited by respondents were: Cost of merchandise or raw materials (84%), Human Resource Problems (43%), Insufficient demand in home market (20%), Financial difficulties (20%) and Competition in home market (17%).