Italy’s Footwear Sector Starts to Stabilize Despite a 3.1 Percent Hit in 2025

The Italian footwear sector is closing 2025 with a contraction of 3.1%, yet industry data and export trends suggest the market is finally stabilising after years of pressure. Despite a challenging macroeconomic backdrop, brands are experiencing healthier volumes, resilient demand in Europe, and strong momentum from the Middle East and select international markets.

From steep declines to a softer landing

According to a press release from Assocalzaturifici, the third quarter of 2025 ended with a decline of just 0.9%, a marked improvement compared to the sharper drops seen in the first half of the year. The association describes this as the first clear sign that the downturn is slowing, even if conditions remain challenging for many companies.

“The current overall picture remains complex and spares not even the highest end of the market, but the third-quarter figures point to a slowing of the decline and a first glimmer of light at the end of the recessionary tunnel,” said Giovanna Ceolini, President of Assocalzaturifici. 

She said that, although performance is uneven and several firms are still under strain, the modest full-year revenue decline—estimated at €12.8 billion—confirms the resilience of Made in Italy footwear.

Exports: more pairs, lower prices

On the foreign trade front, Italian footwear exports reached €7.72 billion in the first eight months of 2025, down 1.3% in value. The standout figure is volume: 131.8 million pairs were sold abroad over the same period, an increase of 4.3%.

This volume recovery has been accompanied by a normalisation in average export prices, which stood at €58.58 per pair, a decline of 5.3%. The drop reflects a correction after the double‑digit price increases recorded in 2022 and 2023, suggesting that pricing is rebalancing as logistics, inflation, and energy pressures gradually ease.

Europe remains the anchor

The European Union, which absorbs roughly seven out of every ten pairs exported from Italy, continues to be the sector’s stabilising force. In the first eight months of 2025, exports to the EU grew 2.2% in value and 7.6% in volume.

Within the bloc, Germany is a clear bright spot, with exports up 6% in value and 10% in pairs. Positive results were also registered in Spain, Poland, Belgium, and Austria, all of which helped offset weaknesses in more volatile markets further afield.

The Middle East and the Americas offset Asia’s slump

Outside the EU, the Middle East stands out as the most dynamic region for Italian footwear. Overall export value to the area rose 13%, driven by a surge of about 20% in the United Arab Emirates, which continues to serve as both a local luxury hub and a gateway to a wider regional customer base.

Other non‑EU markets posting good results include Turkey and Mexico, which contributed additional support as some traditional Asian destinations faltered. By contrast, the Far East remains under pressure, with a contraction of more than 20% in both volume and value, weighed down by a sharp slowdown in China (down 24.6% in value), as well as declines in Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. The CIS region also fell 9.2%, with exports to Russia plunging 17.8%, still heavily affected by the ongoing conflict and sanctions environment.

U.S. tariffs keep exporters on alert

The United States market remains a key concern, even as the numbers show mixed signals. Over the first eight months of 2025, exports to the U.S. rose 2.9% in value but fell 4.2% in volume, suggesting higher average prices on fewer pairs sold.

The sector is closely tracking the impact of tariffs introduced under the U.S.-EU agreement. Assocalzaturifici notes that August closed with a steep 17.8% decline in export value to the U.S., but preliminary data for September indicate a surprisingly resilient response from buyers. Even so, an internal survey shows that 55% of member companies exporting to the U.S. consider the tariffs’ impact far from negligible, and about one in five firms report serious difficulties linked to the new trade conditions.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Looking ahead to 2026, maintaining a strong foothold in European markets and capturing demand in dynamic regions, such as the Middle East, will be crucial. While geopolitical risks and cost pressures have not disappeared, the combination of stabilising revenues, growing export volumes, and selective regional growth suggests that the worst of the downturn may be over for Italy’s footwear industry.

For now, the sector enters the new year cautiously optimistic: leaner, more selective, and increasingly focused on markets where Made in Italy craftsmanship and brand equity still command a premium.