Circana Retail Sales Data Reveals Our World is Flat

U.S. footwear industry sales totaled $89.2 billion, a flat performance over 2023, according to Circana’s Consumer Tracking Service. The athleisure category, generated $31 billion in sales, and was the number one footwear segment in terms of both dollar sales and incremental dollar volume growth, up three-plus percent versus 2023, driven by the popularity of running, soccer, and training-inspired sneakers.

Meanwhile, performance running sales grew six-plus percent to $7.4 billion, driven by a mix shift to more premium, higher-priced product. The fashion category declined three percent, but bright spots included women’s seasonless shoe silhouettes such as flats, ballerinas, and pumps, as well as slippers, which performed especially well during the back-to-school and holiday months.

Footwear sales in the fourth quarter were similar to the full year trend. A bright spot, though: sales three-plus percent versus 2023 during the core holiday time frame of Black Friday week through the end of the year, according to Circana data.  It was driven by strong demand for the most popular footwear brands and items, and the consumers’ willingness to pay close to full price for them.

“Value and versatility will again be the name of the game in the year ahead,” states Beth Goldstein, footwear and accessories analyst at Circana. “Economic uncertainties will continue to weigh on consumers and impact their spending behaviors, making it likely that footwear industry sales will remain soft overall in 2025. However, we have seen several growth areas, from higher-priced performance footwear to retro product, so brands and manufacturers will need to manage their supply and demand here and focus on innovation in these hot areas of the market.”

The Clifton by Hoka—just one of its many maximum-cushioned styles seen on people of all ages in 2024.

Goal!!! The soccer-inspired Adidas Samba continued its fashion reign in a range of colors and materials.

 

The February 2025 Issue

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