footwear

The Portuguese Footwear Association, APICCAPS, invited brand leaders and business professionals across footwear and its adjacent industries to a day-long Digi4Fashion event in Porto, on digital opportunities for the industry in 2025. There, BoF spoke to footwear and fashion brands to learn about their key challenges in this area, and presented on opportunities and innovation in e-commerce today.

Dick’s Sporting Goods’ acquisition of Foot Locker will have impacts on the rest of the industry, from brands such as Nike and Adidas to rival retailers like JD Sports.

As the Italian footwear brand marks its 50th anniversary, Santoni is eyeing up expansion into new regions and categories while doubling down on its commitment to quality, craftsmanship and its sustainability goals. BoF sits down with Giuseppe Santoni, president and chairman, to discuss the brand’s strategic focus for 2025.

Efforts to map the footwear industry’s carbon footprint have lagged behind those in fashion. A new study aims to start addressing that.

Dick’s Sporting Goods’ surprise purchase of Foot Locker sets it up to be a major new player in the global sneaker market — if it can execute on its vision.

The company’s new supershoe for elite runners, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2, has arrived, and with a revamped running portfolio, Adidas aims to get more casual runners in its sneakers, too.

Once synonymous with power and elegance, high heels are adapting to new consumer values. As ballet flats, Mary Janes and kitten heels continue to rise in popularity, brands are shifting their focus to comfort and inclusivity, crafting narratives that speak to evolving ideas of femininity.

The women’s sneaker market is growing alongside rising interest in women’s sports and casualised dress codes that prioritise comfort. Yet there’s more to addressing female sneaker shoppers than just releasing another trendy low-profile silhouette.