Footwear Manufacturers NAICS 316210

Jan 13, 2026 - Footwear Leaders Warn Tariff Impacts Still Ahead in 2026

• The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) Q4 2025 Shoe Executive Business Survey signals rising concern across the US footwear industry as companies head into 2026. Executives broadly expect import and landed footwear costs to increase materially next year, driven by tariffs that have not yet fully flowed through supply chains, higher logistics expenses, and trade policy uncertainty. Many respondents noted that tariff impacts are only beginning to be felt, suggesting additional cost pressure ahead. With inflation still shaping consumer behavior, companies have relied on front-loading inventory to manage risk, but that strategy has now ended, raising concerns about pricing sustainability in early 2026. Survey feedback also points to softening consumer demand—particularly in the family footwear channel—and expectations of a challenging first half, with market contraction favoring stronger manufacturers and retailers over weaker competitors.
• According to The Conference Board’s December 2025 Consumer Confidence Survey, weakening consumer sentiment presents growing headwinds for US footwear manufacturers. The Consumer Confidence Index fell 3.8 points to 89.1, its fifth consecutive monthly decline, while the Expectations Index held at 70.7, below the recession-warning threshold of 80 for 11 straight months. The Present Situation Index dropped sharply by 9.5 points, reflecting softer views on business and labor market conditions. Job perceptions weakened, with only 26.7% of consumers saying jobs are plentiful, down from 28.2% in November. Consumers also grew more cautious about discretionary purchases, with buying plans for durable goods declining and spending shifting toward necessities and lower-priced items. Inflation, tariffs, and personal finances remained top concerns. For US footwear manufacturers, these trends signal continued demand pressure, heightened price sensitivity, and a challenging operating environment into early 2026.

• 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 & Allied Products industry, which includes footwear manufacturers, is one of 15 manufacturing industries reporting contraction in December’s Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. The Apparel, Leather & Allied Products industry reported a decline in new orders, a decrease in production, lower employment, and lower inventories in December. Additional manufacturing industries reporting contraction during the period were; Wood Products; Paper Products; Textile Mills; Chemical Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Primary Metals; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Transportation Equipment. Overall, economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted for the tenth consecutive month in December, with the Manufacturing PMI registering 47.9%.