20 Jun Shoe Sales Slip 4 Percent In May As Retailers Prepare For Back-To-School Season
Market research firm The NPD Group said overall footwear sales, much like the rest of the retail market, continued their downward trend, dipping 4 percent last month.
By group, women’s saw the greatest decline, slipping 6 percent. Men’s decreased 4 percent, and sales in children’s fell 5 percent.
Athleisure trends remain solid, with total leisure footwear sales — which includes casual athletic styles as well as work boots and outdoor sandals — increasing 11 percent.
“Seasonless and transitional footwear styles were the bright spots during a mostly cold and wet May,” said Beth Goldstein, executive director and accessories-and-footwear analyst with The NPD Group. “Fashion categories again lost to the athletic-inspired sneaker styles, but there were some wins, such as booties for men and women, and select strappy sandal styles with trend-right details such as lace-ups and block heels.”