FDRA Report Finds 48% of Americans Unlikely to Buy Shoes This Holiday Season

The holiday shopping spirit faces its toughest test yet this year.

A new national survey conducted by Emerson College Polling and commissioned by the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) reveals a sharp decline in planned shoe purchases this holiday season, with nearly half of U.S. consumers saying they are not likely to buy footwear at all. The findings highlight how rising prices, driven in large part by tariffs, continue to weigh on buyer sentiment and retail sales.

A Decline Rooted in Economic Pressure

According to the FDRA 2025 Holiday Shoe Sales Forecast, 48% of respondents said they are not likely to purchase shoes this holiday season a troubling figure for footwear retailers navigating slower traffic and cautious spending. Among those who do plan to buy, most agree tariffs are to blame for rising costs.

The results paint a sobering picture ahead of the critical shopping period from Halloween to Cyber Monday. Economic tightening, supply chain costs, and trade policies continue to reinforce an affordability gap, forcing families to prioritize essentials and delay discretionary purchases.

Tariffs Blamed for Price Hikes

The FDRA findings align with broader retail surveys across the U.S., including recent data from World Footwear showing consumer sensitivity to footwear prices hitting its highest level in years. Among likely shoe shoppers:

• 65% agree that tariffs are a major reason retail shoe prices have increased.

• Among registered voters, 54% believe tariffs are driving prices upward.

In a companion survey summary, Footwear Magazine also reported that 75% of respondents have noticed higher shoe prices in the last year, while 70% say tariffs are the “primary or major contributor” to those increases.

FDRA’s Response and Industry Warning

Matt Priest, President and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), said:
“This data confirms what we’ve been hearing from retailers and consumers alike: tariffs are driving up prices and dampening holiday shopping enthusiasm. Nearly half of Americans say they’re sitting out shoe purchases this season, and among those who are shopping, most blame tariffs for the price hikes. It’s time for policymakers to take a hard look at how trade decisions are impacting families and the footwear industry.”

Priest emphasized that these results mirror long-standing concerns from brands and suppliers about the compounding effects of trade barriers. The FDRA has continuously urged policymakers to adopt smarter, category-specific trade reforms instead of broad tariff measures that cascade through supply chains and inflate costs for consumers.

What Consumers Are Saying

Voter and shopper sentiment captured in the survey reflects mounting frustration with the hidden costs embedded in everyday goods. When asked what factors influence their shopping decisions most:

• 48% cited sales and promotions as the key motivator.

• 18% cited need-based replacements, while 11% cited new product launches.
  This shift suggests that customers are searching for greater value and transparency amid price fatigue.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 results reinforce a growing call for more balanced trade and pricing structures as holiday sales approach. FDRA analysts note that shoe prices could remain elevated into early 2026, with supply chain pressures and slow tariff relief maintaining tension across the footwear market.

As the FDRA report concludes, voters are signaling a clear priority: targeted trade policies that lower costs, not blanket tariffs that make everyday items more expensive.

To explore the full Emerson College Polling dataset or FDRA’s 2025 Holiday Shoe Sales Forecast, visit FDRA.org.