And to think what the figure could have been without the epic supply chain disruption?
Nonetheless, a record was broken. The Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA) reports 2021 sales blew past previous annual sales totals, and now sits above $100 billion in total consumer spending.
Key 2021 sales highlights:
• Consumer spending on shoes jumped 20.5 percent year-over-year in December ’21
• December’s sales jump pushed up full-year footwear spending to an unprecedented 29.8 percent gain in 2021
• Total consumer demand for shoes now stands at a record $100.7 billion
“The resiliency of the American footwear industry cannot be overstated,” states Matt Priest, president and CEO of FDRA. “Despite major supply chain disruptions, higher tariffs and Covid, our companies blew past previous record sales and surpassed $100 billion in consumer demand for the first time ever. That is nearly $17 billion more than the previous record in 2019.” Priest adds, “It is an unbelievable triumph that speaks to how innovative, dynamic, hardworking and creative footwear professionals are across the U.S. Congratulations to our amazing members for literally the best year in history. We look forward to helping companies continue to boost their business, and we hope 2022 brings sustained lasting growth.”
