UK Footwear Retailing Market Report 2022

The UK Footwear Retailing Market Report identifies consumers’ footwear shopping behaviours, the share of online and in-store sales, and future innovations within the footwear market. This report covers the UK footwear market size, market forecast, market segmentation and footwear industry trends for the UK market.

Frequently Asked Market Research Questions in the Footwear Market

Is the footwear market growing?

Despite inflation in the selling price of footwear products, the UK footwear market experienced a period of replenished growth due to pent-up demand following the emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability is becoming a priority for consumers when making footwear purchases. Footwear brands are using this trend as a growth opportunity within the footwear market by incorporating sustainability benefits into their product development and packaging.

What is the UK footwear market size?

Mintel predicts that the UK footwear market size is expected to remain positive through to 2027, growing by 9% between 2022 and 2027 to reach £12,277.9 million.

Who dominates the UK footwear market share?

Footwear specialists have begun to claw back share after a suffering 2020 saw their footwear market share falter. Mintel estimates that footwear specialists have 34% share of the UK footwear market. Brands such as Schuh are opening new distribution centres to help fuel growth, and Clarks have expanded to become available through Deichmann and M&S.

UK Footwear Market – Current Landscape 

Post-pandemic, the UK footwear market experienced a period of growth motivated by pent-up demand. Athleisure and trainer brands enjoyed the surge in homeworking and casual ‘loungewear’ that became a COVID-19 staple, and has continued into 2022. Trainers have replaced the formal-styled footwear such as heels or formal menswear shoes, as offices become less formal, and fashion enjoys more casual trends.

Even after restrictions were lifted and stores reopened, online retail sales remain the most popular choice for purchasing footwear, putting pressure on physical stores to increase footfall. Interestingly, this is also the case regarding children’s footwear despite children requiring more frequent size checks.

UK Footwear Market – Market Share and Key Statistics

The cost-of-living crisis will impact the future footwear market growth as consumers will be reluctant to make new footwear purchases as their budgets are squeezed. This could strengthen footwear market share for smaller brands and fashion retailers since they offer consumers the option to trade down by offering value for money styles, much to the detriment of bigger-named brands.

Sustainability is becoming a leading priority for consumers when making fashion and footwear purchases. People expect footwear brands to lead the way when it comes to sustainability initiatives, cutting out the need to research or read between the lines when it comes to purchasing.

UK footwear market consumer behaviours

• 72% of consumers who purchased children’s footwear did so via online channels.
• 81% of consumers prefer to purchase footwear from retailers/brands that they’ve bought from before.
• 34% of UK adults would be interested in footwear made from sustainable materials.
• 17% of UK adults would be interested in trying on footwear virtually (e.g. Virtual/Augmented Reality).

Future Trends in the UK Footwear Market

The rising interest in gamification in fashion presents an opportunity for the UK footwear market to enter into the online space by connecting with consumers in a new, playful way that enables consumers to discover different footwear products. Several mainstream retailers in the UK footwear market have entered into the virtual world by making virtual trainers and shoes, and an increasing number of brands have entered into the Metaverse, via online gaming channel Roblox.

Read on to discover more about the UK Footwear Market Report 2022, read our UK Clothing Retailing Market Report 2022, or take a look at our other Footwear Market Research.

Quickly Understand

• To identify popular styles of footwear in each sub-category.
• To establish which retailers and channels are used to purchase footwear.
• Understand what would encourage shoppers to buy footwear online or in-store.
• Identify interest in innovations within the UK footwear market.
• Consumer behaviour around shopping for footwear, including preferences, habitual shopping and changing attitudes.
• Explores the footwear market share and UK footwear market size.

Leading Footwear Brands

Products: All footwear, including trainers. Excluding specialist performance shoes (e.g. football boots, ballet shoes etc.)

Brands:  Clarks, Kurt Geiger, Office, Footasylum, Nike, Schuh, Sketchers, Shoe Zone, Foot Locker, {avers (Dune), Deichmann Shoes, Beaconsfield Footwear, Russell & Bromley, LK Bennett, Sole Trader (Twinmar Ltd), Clinkard Group, Lloyd Shoe Co, Courtesy Shoes, Rieker, Foot Shop, Primark, Sports Direct, Amazon, JD Sports, Next, Clarks, M&S, Tesco, Asda, New Look, John Lewis, eBay, Sainsbury’s, ASOS, Schuh, Discounter, House of Fraser, Debenhams, Independent Retailer.

Expert Analysis from a Specialist in the Field

This report, written by Fiona McDonald, a leading analyst in the Retail sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the UK footwear market and add expert context to the numbers.

The footwear market has faced pent-up demand, as consumer routines become normalised and the high street reopens. Value for money will be a key focus for consumers as the cost-of-living squeeze begins to take hold; big-name brands will need to further prove durability and quality as many consumers look to trade down, coupled with an increase in clothing retailers bolstering their footwear offerings to compete with specialist stores. Sustainability also remains a driving force, with consumers looking to brands to lead the way when it comes to sustainable choices.”

Fiona McDonald
Retail Analyst