Shopping: Customers have “less desire to buy shoe”

People in Germany spend less money on shoes. Last year, the sales of shoe trading fell nationally by 0.8 percent to 11.62 billion euros. This was announced by the Textil Schuhe Lederwaren (BTE) trade association on the occasion of the “Shoes” trade fair in Düsseldorf.

In the most important area, the inpatient specialist trade, a decline of 1.5 percent was recorded. Real, i.e. adjusted for inflation, the minus was even higher. On the other hand, online trading was easy.

Many dealers look pessimistic. Almost every second one expects 2025 with sales losses of at least one percent. Every third company even fears a minus of five percent or more.

“Despite increases in wages, consumers have less and less money in their wallets due to the increased costs of living, health and mobility,” said BTE general manager Rolf Pangels. The geopolitical crises and the general uncertainty about one’s own economic future also make “less desire to buy shoe”.

“With our products we have to convey more desire”

According to an industry survey by the association, there are numerous other problem areas in addition to buying the purchase. The shoe retailers also complain about increasing bureaucratic regulations and high costs for energy, rents and salaries.

There are also increasing purchasing prices and the unregulated competition in portals such as Temu and Shein. Pangels nevertheless expressed himself self -critically: “We have to convey more desirability and joy with our products.”

The German shoe industry increased its total turnover by 2.4 percent last year to a good 2.1 billion euros. In Germany, an increase of 4.5 percent was recorded, a decline of 6.6 percent abroad, as the Federal Association of Schuh and Leatherware Industry (HDS/L) announced. Consumer prices for shoes rose by around 5.5 percent in 2024 and thus a little less than in the previous year.