TCF POST Report
The Italian footwear industry, a hallmark of “Made in Italy” excellence, navigated a turbulent first quarter in 2026. According to the industry association Assocalzaturifici, exports reached €3 billion, a 1.6% decrease in value and a 3.6% decrease in volume compared to the same period in 2025.
Exports historically account for roughly 90% of the sector’s total turnover and 85% of its production, and showed significant strain during the first three months of 2026.
Setbacks in International Markets
- Middle East: A sharp 33% drop was recorded, with a 62% collapse in March alone following the outbreak of conflict.
- Former Soviet Bloc: Exports fell by 21%.
- United States: A 7.4% decline in value was observed, exacerbated by import tariffs in place since spring 2025.
- European Market Divergence: While France remains the leading destination for Italian footwear with 6% growth in value, Germany experienced a significant slowdown, with exports dropping 10%.
Despite these export headwinds, the sector’s trade balance improved to €1.3 billion—a 10.9% increase over 2025—largely due to a 9.5% reduction in total imports.
Domestic Market Resilience
Contrasting with the export slowdown, the domestic market provided a glimmer of hope. Italian consumer spending on footwear rose to €1.28 billion, marking a 1.7% increase in value and a 2.1% increase in volume compared to Q1 2025.
- Growth Drivers: Demand was primarily led by women’s shoes and trainers.
- Product Popularity: Trainers and sports footwear continue to dominate, accounting for 41% of all domestic spending.
Industrial Base Concerns
The Assocalzaturifici report highlights growing concerns regarding the sector’s industrial foundation. During the first three months of 2026, 85 manufacturing units halted operations, and 808 employees lost their jobs. Furthermore, reliance on short-time working schemes (wage supplementation) remains high, with 6.2 million hours recorded—more than triple the levels seen pre-pandemic.
Strategic Outlook
Giovanna Ceolini, President of Assocalzaturifici, emphasized that these results validate previous forecasts of a difficult start to the year. Citing rising raw material and energy costs alongside geopolitical unpredictability, Ceolini stressed that immediate action is necessary to bolster internationalization efforts, improve competitiveness, and ensure long-term stability for the sector.
Assocalzaturifici groups approximately 500 companies in the sector, which remains a strategic asset for the national economy, boasting an annual turnover of over €13 billion and a workforce of roughly 71,000 employees.
