As consumption grows, footwear exports decline
During the first quarter of 2026, households spent €1.28 billion on footwear, up 2.1% in volume and 1.7% in value year-on-year.
By contrast, exports totaled around €3 billion and fell 3.6% in volume and 1.6% in value, according to the Confindustria Accessori Moda Research Center for Assocalzaturifici. Shipments fell 33% to the Middle East and 21% to the former Soviet bloc; exports to the United States declined 7.4% in value.
“The international picture continues to be marked by unpredictability, driving up costs and slowing our buyers' purchasing decisions,” said the association’s president, Giovanna Ceolini.