U.S. footwear industry dollar sales were down 1 percent in the first half of 2025 as declines in fashion and outdoor footwear categories offset gains in sport lifestyle and performance segments, according to Circana’s Retail Tracking Service.
The 1 percent overall decline reflects a 2 percent decline in units sold partially offset by an average selling price (ASP) increase of 2 percent.
On the positive side, the sport lifestyle and performance segments each grew across all three measurements – dollars, units, and average price.
Sport lifestyle, or athleisure sneakers, is the largest footwear segment and the 3 percent gain in dollar sales was driven by running inspired styles. Soccer/football- and cross training-inspired styles also remained strong. In the performance space, walking shoe dollar and unit sales each rose double-digits. Running and cross training were also standouts, with dollar sales up 7 percent and 9 percent, respectively.
The fashion category’s decline of 6 percent based on dollars was driven by softness in the seasonal categories. There were pockets of growth in the fashion category stemming from some smaller segments such as high shaft boots, boat shoes, flats, and ballerinas. Sales of pumps were also up, as unit growth more than offset average price declines.
“Consumers continue to focus on their footwear must-haves,” said Beth Goldstein, footwear and accessories advisor at Circana. “Sneakers are driving much of the growth, along with a handful of fashion styles that offer both newness and versatility. The average price increases we’ve seen so far are largely due to a shift in product mix, with higher-priced brands and items gaining market share. However, as we move through the back-to-school and holiday seasons, rising prices may begin to test the limits of consumers’ wallets—making value an even more critical factor as they prioritize their footwear purchases.”
