Espadrilles, mules and moccasins are doing well. Conversely, trend is negative for boots and heeled shoes. Sneakers, of course, are still the best performers in the market. In the United States, in February as well, footwear sales kept being “moderate”, as pointed out by Matt Powell, vice-president of NPD group (they attend to marketing research and analysis) and senior consultant in the sport sector. Although sales slightly increased, “it is hard to compare them with last year trend, since tax reimbursements were allocated quite late in 2017”, remarked Powell. “Sneaker casual lifestyle” sales went up by 16%, whereas running shoes just increased by 1% compared to the previous year. “Non-sneaker” shoes have been performing better in February, still earnings did not reach at all 2016 figures, said Beth Goldstein, analyst at NPD Fashion Footwear & Accessories. As regards women, they like heeled shoes less and less, as they prefer more comfortable and, therefore, more casual models. In 2017, high heeled shoes sales dropped by 13,4%; in contrast, sneakers increased considerably, by 38%. Considering such lifestyle, in February 2017 boots slumped as well, in terms of sales. On the other hand, good kickoff for spring models such as espadrilles, sandals, mule slippers and moccasins.
February shoe business goes “average” in the USA. Fashion sneakers are still the market leader (outdoing technical footwear), good-bye heel
