PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, February 10, 2006 – A strong holiday season and the introduction of new footwear styles and trends in 2005 resulted in solid growth for the footwear industry. According to leading consumer and retail information company The NPD Group, total U.S. footwear sales were nearly $42 billion in 2005, a 9 percent increase over 2004. Last year, consumers purchased over 1.4 billion pairs of shoes, 5 percent more than in 2004.
According to NPD consumer data, women’s total footwear sales topped $20 billion, an increase of 8 percent over 2004. Women weren’t the only ones buying new shoes or boots last year; men went above and beyond the traditional black shoe and invested in high-end fashion and performance footwear. Men’s footwear sales totaled $16 billion in 2005, an increase of 9 percent over 2004.
“Footwear is on fire! Sales growth of footwear were three times greater than apparel; footwear has emerged as the new fashion item to buy,” said author and NPD chief industry analyst, Marshal Cohen. “Consumers are reaching to footwear to display their passion for fashion and to represent lifestyle. Footwear has become a new signature item for consumers.”
The total fashion footwear segment posted an 11 percent increase in dollar sales in 2005. The dress casual shoe was a hot growth category for both men and women in the fashion footwear segment.
Sales in the athletic footwear segment increased by three percent, driven by pure performance categories such as baseball, soccer and tennis. High-priced running and basketball shoes sold in price ranges above $80 saw double-digit dollar growth in the athletic specialty/sporting goods channel. This also helped to propel the athletic footwear segment in 2005.
Hot Footwear Trends in 2005
Footwear’s comeback is great news for an industry that has seen very little growth in the past couple of years. Many trends have contributed to this in this newfound growth. Some drivers include:
“The biggest challenge for the footwear industry will be how to sustain this growth and more importantly this passion from the consumer. With so many consumers of all ages reaching for footwear this past year, it will be equally important for brands and retailers to keep their interest, and understanding of consumers’ needs in the forefront,” said Cohen.
About The NPD Group, Inc.
Since 1967 The NPD Group has provided reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,400 manufacturers and retailers rely on NPD to help them better understand their customers, product categories, distribution channels and competition in order to help guide their businesses. Information from The NPD Group is available for the following major vertical sectors: apparel, appliances, automotive, beauty, consumer electronics, food and beverage, foodservice, footwear, home improvement, housewares, imaging, information technology, music, software, toys, video games, and wireless. For more information, visit www.npd.com.