Footwear Manufacturers NAICS 316210

Nov 11, 2025 - Footwear Sales Up in Q3

• The US footwear industry saw footwear dollar sales rise 3% in Q3 2025 year over year, according to Circana’s Retail Tracking Service reported by Footwear News. Unit sales declined 1% and average selling price rose 4% in Q3 2025 compared to the same period a year ago. Sport lifestyle, or athleisure sneakers, grew 5% in Q3 and remained the largest footwear segment, while the fashion category posted improvement over Q2 but experienced a small decline. The performance footwear category saw dollar and unit sales up for running and walking segments in Q3. Looking ahead, Circana's holiday purchase intentions study showed that 56% of respondents plan to purchase clothing, accessories, and footwear this season, with an average planned spend across the categories of $490.
• The Apparel, Leather, and Allied Products industry is one of a dozen manufacturing industries reporting contraction in October’s Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. The Apparel, Leather, and Allied Products industry reported a decline in new orders, a decrease in production, lower employment, higher inventories, and higher prices for raw materials in October. Additional manufacturing industries reporting contraction during the period were Furniture & Related Products; Textile Mills, Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Wood Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Computer & Electronic Products. Industries reporting growth were Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Transportation Equipment; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products. Overall, economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted for the eighth consecutive month in October, with the Manufacturing PMI registering 48.7%.

• Softening consumer sentiment and confidence in November and October 2025 reflects a growing weakness in discretionary spending, posing challenges for footwear manufacturers. The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment dropped 6.2% month-over-month in November's preliminary results to 50.3, a 29.9% year-over-year decline. The Current Economic Conditions Index fell to 52.3, and the Expectations Index to 49, down 36.3% annually. Year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 4.7%, while long-run expectations declined to 3.6%, with increased uncertainty across both horizons. Meanwhile, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged down to 94.6 from 95.6 in October, as improved current conditions (Present Situation Index up to 129.3) were offset by weaker short-term expectations (Expectations Index down to 71.5). Inflation expectations rose to 5.9%, and over half of consumers anticipated higher interest rates. Holiday spending is projected to fall, with promotions driving purchasing decisions.
• The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) released the results of its Q2 2025 Shoe Executive Business Survey, which shows growing concerns among industry leaders over weakening consumer demand, higher costs, and unpredictable tariff policies. The survey showed a significant downturn in industry confidence, with 82% of respondents expecting a weaker US economy over the next six months, 88% foreseeing less demand from footwear shoppers, and 49% expecting lower comparable store sales in the next six months. Executives expect to see a jump in landed costs in the second half of the year, with 60% anticipating double-digit increases. Consumers will feel the effects as well, with 75% of footwear executives anticipating retail prices to grow by more than 5%. Leaders say they will trim costs during the remainder of the year, by curbing capital expenditures, cutting hiring, and reducing operating costs.