19 Footwear Industry Statistics with a Focus on Canada in 2024

The global footwear industry is a multi-billion industry, with Canada accounting for a large annual sales portion. We present you with exciting footwear industry statistics to help you better understand the rich Canadian market, consumer trends, and much more.

What do the industry trends reveal? Who are these Canadian shoppers and footwear manufacturers? Are there any quirky facts you should know?

Let’s cut to the chase and find the answers to these questions together.

Top 10 Footwear Industry Statistics for 2024

  • The value of the global footwear market was US$365.5 billion in 2020.
  • The forecasted worth of the Canadian footwear industry for 2019 was $7.67 billion.
  • Canada was the 12th global exporter of footwear in 2019, according to shoe statistics. 
  • Shoe stores in Canada generated over $4 billion in retail sales in 2019. 
  • An average Canadian family spends around $624 on shoes each year.
  • In the first quarter of 2020, sales of women’s athletic shoes hit around $110.77 million.
  • 31.91% of respondents of a 2020 survey chose Nike over any other running shoe brand.
  • 86.8% of Canadians prefer to buy shoes in brick-and-mortar stores. 
  • In 2017, Celine Dion revealed she owned thousands of pairs of shoes.
  • The first sneakers were invented in the 19th century.

General Shoe Industry Statistics

Let’s delve further into the figures and discover interesting statistics concerning market worth and current trends.

1. In 2020, the estimated global footwear market worth was US$365.5 billion.

(Allied Market Research)

Furthermore, the global shoe market is projected to hit US$530.3 billion by 2027. Statisticians estimate that from 2020 to 2027, the footwear industry growth rate will increase annually by  5.5%. 

The segment that is expected to increase the fastest is athletic footwear, with a 6.3% CAGR between 2020 and 2027.

2. The estimated value of the Canadian footwear industry’s market was $7.67 billion for 2019.

(MarketLine)

Footwear industry statistics for Canada indicate that this figure represents a boost of more than $1 billion for the forecast period of 2014–2019. Retail sales of footwear stores in the country peaked in November 2018, generating $357.56 million.

For the sake of comparison, the Canadian gift industry is valued at $10 billion.

3. In 2021, revenue in the Canadian shoe market totalled US$6,966 million ($8,707.67 million).

(Statista)

According to footwear industry statistics for Canada, this industry is likely to grow at a CAGR of 3.78% between 2021 and 2025. 

For the sake of comparison, the US generated the most revenue in the world in 2021—US$92,533 million ($115,668.56 million).

4. Canada was the 12th global exporter of footwear in 2019.

(Shoes from Mexico)

According to shoe industry trends from 2019, the country’s footwear industry is primarily concentrated in Ontario, Toronto, Quebec, and Montreal. 

When it comes to imported footwear, it’s interesting to note that a whopping 161 million pairs of shoes come from China and Vietnam.

5. Canada imported 35% of textile footwear in 2019.

(Shoes from Mexico)

Textile footwear was followed by footwear made of rubber (31%), leather (22%), and waterproof materials (2%), according to the footwear industry statistics for Canada. 

On the flip side, Canada mainly exported rubber footwear (29%), followed by footwear made of leather (24%), textile (19%), waterproof materials (16%), and other materials (12%).

6. Shoe stores in Canada generated retail sales of over $4 billion in 2019.

(Statistics Canada)

There are about 1,028 shoe shops in Ontario alone—the highest number in all of Canada.

Additionally, there have been 59 shoe manufacturing facilities in Canada as of December 2020, with the bulk of them based in Ontario and Quebec.

7. Footwear industry trends indicate that an average Canadian family spends around $624 on shoes each year.

(CUTIS)

According to recent data, Canadian women and girls spend $347 on shoes per year on average. On the other hand, men and boys fork out less on footwear—$277 a year.

As a result, Canada ranks among the top 5 footwear-consuming countries.

8. Footwear statistics reveal that Canada exported 90% of locally produced footwear to the US in 2018.

(CUTIS)

Canada does not only successfully export furniture, but shoes too. Namely, the manufacturing of footwear in the country hit $458 million in 2018. What’s more, shoe manufacturing in Canada employs an estimated 1.4 thousand workers.

9. In 2015, Victoria residents spent the most money on footwear—$3.62 per capita.  

(FDRA)

According to footwear industry statistics, Victoria was followed by Vancouver at $1.31 per capita, Calgary ($0.91), Kelowna ($0.85), and Oakville ($0.84). Additionally, Canada’s most trendy shoe brands for 2015 were Birkenstocks, Native, Converse, People Footwear, and Cougar.

Women’s Shoe Industry Statistics

Let’s go through the statistics on the shoe industry for women and find out just how massive this market truly is. 

10. In the first quarter of 2020, sales of women’s athletic shoes totalled approximately $110.77 million.

(Statista)

According to women’s shoe industry statistics, the retail sales of women’s athletic shoes in Canada have significantly dropped since the fourth quarter of 2019, when this figure equalled $182.43 million.

11. In 2015, the number one bestselling shoes for women were the classic white Gizeh sandals by Birkenstock.

(FDRA)

Birkenstock’s Gizeh model famously provides its wearers with comfort and ultimate support. Since Canadian women love to feel comfortable anywhere they go, it becomes obvious why this model got so popular.

When it comes to boots, the best-selling footwear in the same year was Nyrvana by Steve Madden.

Athletic Footwear Industry Statistics

Athletic footwear is essential, especially if you are the active type. You can read about the most important stats on the industry of athletic shoes below.

12.  A 2020 survey revealed that 31.91% of respondents choose Nike over any other running shoe brand.

(Statista)

The sample survey involving 5,152 Canadian participants revealed a striking difference between the number of people choosing Nike and the ones opting for its rivals. Namely, only 5.47% of Canadians chose ASICS as their favourite running shoe brand.

13. Athletic footwear industry trends reveal that around 56% of Canadians buy new athletic shoes every few years.

(Statista)

Additionally, a survey suggested that around 52% of customers spend $80–$149 on a new pair of shoes. The survey was conducted in 2020, and it involved 5,140 Canadian respondents.

Online Footwear Sales Statistics

Online shopping is easier and more convenient than going to a physical store, especially during a pandemic. Let’s look into the stats and see what they reveal about the footwear industry in pre-COVID times and amid the worldwide health crisis.

14. Canadians bought more boots than any other footwear online in 2015—43,649 pairs across Canada’s biggest cities.

(FDRA)

Shoe statistics from 2015 suggest that the number of sandals bought online equalled 33,889 pairs, while the number of sold running/active shoes totalled 29,802. The least popular footwear sold online was slippers, with only 2,276 pairs ordered in the same year.

15. 86.8% of Canadians prefer to shop for shoes in brick-and-mortar stores.

(Statista)

According to a 2020 survey involving 5,136 participants, most Canadian respondents prefer buying shoes in physical stores to shopping online.

However, we should keep in mind that the given online shoe sales statistics come from early 2020. In other words, the coronavirus pandemic may have drastically changed the Canadians’ attitude about online shopping. 

Interesting Facts About Shoes

We all love quirky bits of information. Therefore, we gathered a list of our favourite fun facts about shoes to pique your curiosity and entertain you. 

16. Red-tab winter boots have been in high demand for both genders for over four decades in Canada.

(CUTIS)

Footwear industry trends show that winter footwear models are in demand across Canada, especially shoes that provide stability, warmth, and waterproofness. Andy Orchard, the sales manager of Cougar Shoes Inc., claims that the red-tab winter boots are still a popular choice even today.

17. In 2017, Celine Dion revealed she owned thousands of pairs of shoes.

(WWD)

The famous Canadian artist seems to have a passion for footwear. In a 2017 interview, she admitted that she owned an astounding 10,000 pairs of shoes. 

What’s more, it seems that her shoe collection is growing by the year—in 2013, she confessed to having “only” 3,000 pairs.

18. The first sneakers were invented in the 19th century.

(Men’s Health)

Here are some little-known sneaker facts. The first athletic footwear was invented by Wait Webster. However, this type of footwear wasn’t called “sneakers” back in the day but sported a different name—”plimsoll.” Plimsolls were an active person’s favourite footwear with thin material on the top and rubber soles on the bottom.

19. Shoes statistics from 2015 showed that Saskatoon men have the largest feet in Canada.

(FDRA)

The average male foot size in Saskatoon is 10.5. Similarly, Winnipeg ladies have the largest feet in Canada, with a median shoe size of 8.33. 

On the flip side, Quebec women and Vancouver men have the smallest feet in Canada, at an average size of 7.66 and 9.98, respectively.

Conclusion

We’ll always need shoes—it is a product that caters to people of all ages, genders, and races, providing them with comfort, support, and a sense of style.

With current footwear industry statistics and general trends in mind, it is safe to assume the Canadian market will grow in the upcoming future.

FAQ

How big is the footwear industry?

The global footwear market was worth approximately US$365.5 billion in 2020 and is projected to hit US$530 billion by 2027. The US market is currently the largest in the world, having generated around US$92,533 million in revenue in 2021.

As for Canada, statistics reveal that the shoe industry market value currently totals US$6,966 million ($8,707.67 million). Statisticians expect the market to grow by 3.78% a year. 

(Allied Market Research) (Statista)

How competitive is the shoe industry?

The global footwear industry is profoundly competitive and diverse, with a few big and an almost infinite number of smaller players competing for market share, including designers, marketers, distributors, and retailers.

With shoe sales reaching US$24 billion worldwide in 2019, Nike outperformed its two biggest rivals—Adidas and Puma.

(Market Research) (Statista) (Adidas)

How is the shoe industry doing?

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, people are becoming more health-conscious. This has resulted in an increased number of people engaging in physical activity. As a result, the demand for athletic footwear has increased across the board.

According to footwear industry statistics, the demand for shoes has grown among people of all ages and genders, boosting the industry’s size.

Conversely, the Canadian footwear manufacturing industry has declined by 10.1% between 2015 and 2020. The reason behind the drop in numbers could be great import competition.

(IBIS World) (Allied Market Research) 

What age group buys the most shoes?

In the US, the 35–44 age group spent the most on footwear in 2019. Namely, these consumers spent an average of US$601, footwear industry statistics revealed.

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Sources:

Hermina Drah

Hermina believes that every day is a chance to learn something new about the obscure world around us. The driving force behind her writing is her passion for sharing knowledge with others all around the world. After attaining her master’s degree in English language and literature, she has decided to join the team of creative writers dedicated to delivering the hottest content on the web. So what are Hermina’s favorite topics to cover? Animals, good books, health, fitness, self-care—you name it.

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