The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) released the results of its 2025 Fourth Quarter Shoe Executive Business Survey, showing that many footwear executives expect the cost of imported footwear to rise materially in 2026, with several indicating they are only now beginning to feel the early stages of tariff-related cost increases.

While companies have continued to manage pricing and inventory strategically, the survey found that concerns are growing about what the next 12 months could bring.

Executives reported a growing expectation that import and landed costs will climb in 2026, driven by:

  • Tariff increases that have not yet fully worked through supply chains.
  • Higher logistics and sourcing costs.
  • Increased uncertainty around trade policy and global freight fluctuations.

FDRA President and CEO Matt Priest noted, “Our 2025 Q4 survey reinforces what we’ve been hearing privately for months. The full cost of the tariff increases has not yet hit the industry, and executives are beginning to model significantly higher landed costs for 2026. With front‑loading opportunities over and inflation continuing to influence consumer behavior, footwear companies are bracing for a challenging first quarter.”

Comments collected as part of the survey showed that footwear executives are still bracing for continued uncertainty across costs, demand and consumer behavior in 2026. Comments shared regarding the forecast for the market this year include:

  • “Consumers are pulling back, limiting purchases to must-have items. Market will contract; we will all be playing a market share game.”
  • “Shaky.”
  • “The strong manufacturers will get stronger; the weaker will get weaker. The gap between the two will get wider.”
  • “Economic uncertainty is having a major impact on consumers, particularly the ‘family channel’ representing the bulk of our business.”
  • “We anticipate a tough first half as consumers reconcile higher expenses with fewer opportunities to increase their income (less overtime, fewer part-time jobs).”

Image courtesy Nike / Chart courtesy FDRA