The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) released its ShoeStats 2011 report, a snapshot of the U.S. footwear industry market trends for 2010. The report indicates that U.S. footwear consumption for 2010 jumped 14 percent over 2009 figures.

“After a difficult 2009, the U.S. footwear industry has reason for optimism,” said AAFA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “U.S. footwear consumption jumped 14 percent over 2009, a signal that our economy continues to strengthen.”

“For the first time, ShoeStats contains detailed information regarding U.S. employment within the U.S. footwear industry,” Burke said. “The industry experienced some growth in employment numbers to account for nearly one million U.S. jobs within the footwear industry. Because almost 99 percent of footwear sold in the United States is produced internationally, it is clear that these well-paying U.S. jobs are directly supported by international trade.”

To continue supporting these American jobs, the U.S. government must continue to reduce barriers to trade, including the immediate congressional passage of the Affordable Footwear Act. This common-sense legislation would eliminate the hidden and regressive import taxes that only drive up the prices on low-cost and children’s shoes. Its passage directly benefits hardworking American families and supports jobs here in the United States while continue to protect the remaining footwear manufacturers in the United States.

The Affordable Footwear Act (H.R. 2697) was introduced on July 29, 2011, in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and co-sponsored by Representatives Joe Crowley (D-NY), Kevin Brady (R-TX), and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and in the U.S. Senate by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and co-sponsored by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Patty Murray (D-WA) on May 25, 2011.

Key Facts from ShoeStats 2011:
• U.S. footwear consumption for 2010 jumped 14 percent over 2009 figures.
• U.S. consumers purchased 2.27 billion pairs of shoes in 2010.
• 98.8 percent of footwear sold in the United States is made internationally.
• On average, every American, including every man, woman, and child in the United States, bought more than 7 pairs of shoes in 2010
• Americans, on average, continue to spend an ever smaller percentage of their household income to buy more shoes.