Gamar Italia

A Sector Under Pressure

The Italian footwear industry closed 2025 with an estimated turnover of around €12.8 billion, marking a slight decline compared to the previous year. National footwear production also decreased, dropping to approximately 118.3 million pairs.

This slowdown reflects a broader transformation across the industry: rising costs, international competitive pressure, stronger sustainability expectations and the need for innovation are reshaping the balance of the supply chain.

Exports Remain the Core Strength of Made in Italy Footwear

In a weak domestic market, exports continue to support the sector. Italian footwear exports have shown a solid ability to hold their ground, once again confirming the international relevance of Made in Italy.

European markets have remained relatively stable, while some non-EU destinations have faced greater difficulties. Even so, several strategic markets continue to reward quality, design, reliability and technical product value.

This is an important signal for the entire supply chain: when international markets demand high standards, the role of components becomes increasingly crucial in building the final value of the shoe.

Domestic Consumption Remains Weak, While Sports Footwear Grows

On the domestic side, consumer demand remains cautious. Families continue to make more selective purchasing decisions, focusing on products with clear and immediate perceived value.

Among the most dynamic segments, sports footwear and sneakers continue to show stronger momentum than the rest of the market.

This trend confirms a clear direction: consumers increasingly look for comfort, lightness, versatility and performance — all elements that depend heavily on the quality of the components used.

The Industry Challenge Is Also Structural

Beyond the economic figures, 2025 also highlights a more delicate issue: the structural stability of the sector. The decline in the number of active companies, the reduction in workforce and the growing use of social safety measures all point to a deeper phase of selection and reorganization.

In this context, three strategic factors become essential:

• Production efficiency: optimizing processes, timing and supply management.
• Applied innovation: introducing lighter, more sustainable and higher-performing solutions.
• Supply chain collaboration: building stronger technical partnerships between manufacturers and suppliers.

Why Components Make the Difference

In a complex market phase like this, component suppliers are no longer just commercial partners — they are a key part of the industry’s ability to remain competitive.

Supporting footwear manufacturers today means offering:

• reliable and consistent components;
• technical solutions that improve comfort and performance;
• production flexibility;
• fast response times;
• support in product development.

In the footwear world, details are never secondary. They define perceived quality, durability, fit and the identity of the final product.

Looking Ahead to 2026

2025 can be seen as a transition year: difficult, but full of useful signals for the future. While the sector is undoubtedly facing pressure, there are also signs that support cautious optimism.

Any recovery in 2026 will depend not only on stronger demand, but also on the ability of the Italian footwear system to reinforce its core strengths: quality, innovation, supply chain expertise and specialization.

This is exactly where component suppliers can play a decisive role, helping build a stronger, more competitive and future-ready footwear supply chain.