Footwear sentiment eased in H1 2026, with trade uncertainty moderating the industry's otherwise positive outlook.
While markets & prices recorded stronger sentiment, trade and supply chain became less positive compared with H2 2025.
You should read this if you want to…
- Catch up on the key developments shaping footwear trade, supply chains and markets in H1 2026.
- Explore how brands and suppliers are responding to tariff uncertainty through sourcing diversification and supply chain resilience.
- Track how circular materials, on-demand manufacturing and lifecycle data are reshaping product innovation and consumer value.
Footwear sentiment declined 8% from +0.73 in H2 2025 to +0.67 in H1 2026, while overall industry sentiment remained broadly stable, easing marginally from +0.50 to +0.49. Within the footwear sector, sentiment around trade recorded the largest decline, falling 30% from +0.69 to +0.48, while supply chain sentiment moderated by 11% from +0.72 to +0.64, remaining positive overall. Meanwhile, markets & prices strengthened, with sentiment increasing 12% from +0.51 to +0.57 over the period.
What are sentiment scores and how are they devised?
Overall sentiment remained positive across all core themes in H1 2026, although optimism moderated compared with H2 2025, particularly in relation to trade and supply chains.
The following sections explore key developments across trade, supply chains and market & prices, highlighting selected examples to demonstrate the factors shaping sentiment and influencing the footwear sector during H1 2026.
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