Germany’s footwear industry stayed steady in 2025 even as pressure from global markets and online platforms kept rising.
Shoe manufacturers reported total revenue of €2.33 billion. That is a 3.2% increase compared to 2024. Domestic sales drove the growth. Revenue inside Germany rose 6% to €1.83 billion.
Exports moved in the opposite direction. Export sales fell to €493 million, down 5.9%.
The leather goods segment faced a tougher year.
Total revenue declined 6.6% to €365.9 million. Domestic sales dropped sharply by 10.1%. Export sales offered slight relief. Overseas revenue edged up 1.4% to €120.5 million.
Imports continued to increase.
Germany imported 737.5 million pairs of shoes in 2025. That marks a 10.5% rise. Vietnam and Indonesia recorded the fastest growth with increases of 21.8% and 21.2%. Imports from China grew 6.8%.
Italian footwear shipments also expanded by 5.2%. Imports of women’s leather street shoes jumped nearly one third to 5.5 million pairs.
Exports by volume increased modestly.
Germany exported 364.7 million pairs of shoes, up 2%. Poland remained Germany’s top export destination followed by France, Spain and Italy.
China kept its dominance in leather goods. It accounted for 43.1% of Germany’s leather goods imports. Italy followed with a 12.2% share.
Germany’s footwear and leather goods industry remains resilient but rising imports shifting trade patterns and regulatory pressures are clearly reshaping the competitive landscape.
