The NPD Group reported total U.S. performance footwear sales grew 23 percent in the second quarter while leisure footwear sales climbed at a slightly higher rate. Fashion footwear sales decreased mid-single-digits.
Matt Powell, VP, senior industry advisor, Sports, The NPD Group, said, “The pandemic-driven quest to get fit and stay healthy has continued as we emerge from the crisis. We expect that performance footwear, especially running, hiking and walking shoes, will remain strong through the balance of the year.”
Beth Goldstein, executive director and industry analyst, Fashion Footwear & Accessories, The NPD Group, said, “As consumers are returning to their pre-pandemic activities, they are sticking with comfortable, casual options such as sneakers, clogs (driven by Crocs) and slides, all showing growth when compared to 2020 and 2019. In addition, outdoor and work/safety footwear continue to perform well. Higher average prices are helping to mitigate dollar losses in the fashion category but, even so, dollar sales were down mid-single-digits versus 2019 during the quarter, driven by the continued softness in dress, despite a rebound to 2020.”
Based on its POS data, NPD found:
- Total U.S. leisure footwear sales grew 31 percent to $5.2 billion. Men’s leisure footwear sales grew 27 percent to $2.5 billion; Women’s leisure footwear sales were up 31 percent to $1.5 billion; and Kid’s sales jumped 41 percent to $1.1 billion.
- Total U.S. performance footwear sales were up 23 percent to $2.0 billion. Men’s performance footwear sales grew 22 percent to $1.1 billion; Women’s sales gained 29 percent to $658.9 million, and Kid’s sales grew 17 percent to $257.9 million.
- Total U.S. fashion footwear sales were down 6 percent to $3.9 billion. Sales declined 8 percent to $840.5 million in Men’s fashion footwear; Sales were off 3 percent to $2.6 billion in Women’s; and Kid’s fashion footwear sales were up 6 percent to $381.1 million.
Photo courtesy Nike/Jordan Brand
