Footwear Industry Articles

Levi Strauss & Co., through its website, has announced its decision to deprioritize footwear in specific regions, likely prompted by its less than stellar financial performance. The company will strategically realign its focus and concentrate on its core competencies — denim apparel. Denim also yields higher margins for Lev ...more

Shoes for Crews, a renowned manufacturer of slip-resistant footwear, has recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company’s financial challenges stem from intense competition from online marketplaces like Temu, operated by a Chinese e-commerce company. Temu offers shoes they advertise as slip-resistant at prices as low as $17, ...more

lululemon, the brand known for its yoga wear and activewear, recently expanded its product offerings to include men’s footwear. In February 2024, the company launched its first men’s shoe, The cityverse sneaker. As lululemon navigates the highly competitive men’s footwear market, it faces a critical decision: s ...more

The Decline of Traditional ShoemakingThe traditional craft of shoemaking, especially in regions such as Africa, Europe, and North America, is facing significant challenges. Once-busy workshops now struggle with fewer orders, primarily due to intense competition from mass-produced shoes manufactured in Asia. This decline has put the liveli ...more

East London, E. Cape, SA – An old boy of De La Salle, he always loved retail, from being a manager at OK Bazaars, to a self-made businessman.His first shop was Glen’s Stores in Alice.After settling in Gonubie, he opened Glens’ Shoes in 1987, which he ran successfully for 35 years until retiring in 2022.An old school gent ...more

Pinetown, KZN, SA – The youngest of 4 siblings, Leo’s presence was undeniable, shaping the lives of those around him with his boundless energy and entrepreneurial zeal.Together with his sister Linda and his parents, they ran Fanci-Form, specialising in the manufacturing of lasts for both the local and international markets. Hi ...more

Alfonso Smerilli has had a long and varied career in the South African footwear industry and now, just shy of his 52nd birthday, and in a sector which is mostly struggling, he’s embarked on his most challenging role yet – as a factory owner, blazing a different trail.His start in the footwear industry was with a factory owned ...more

Was this your first overseas exhibition? No, I have done 5 other exhibitions, but this was my first time in Hong Kong.Did you do any confirmed business? – No.Did you come away with realistic leads? – Yes, I did.Are your current products appropriate for export? – Yes, they are.Because of your participation at APLF, are th ...more

East London, E. Cape, SA – Infix Creations won the best traditional handbag award and was chosen to feature in the trend area, positioning South Africa as a trend leader. This was a very big achievement with world buyers present.  ...more

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – We found the fair to be excellent and, in many ways, back to the old glory days where everybody that we do business with around the globe attended.  We had current and past customers visit us from North America, South America, Europe, Australia and of course the East (which included Japan, Korea, etc).T ...more