A study from Circana found performance footwear led the way for Q3, while sales of ballerinas and flip-flops remained key fashion categories.

Consumers might be a bit more discerning in how they are spending their hard-earned cash, but they continue to make footwear purchases a priority.

According to Circana, the U.S. footwear industry remained resilient during the third quarter. “Footwear dollar sales were flat year-over-year, while units sold declined in the mid-single-digits,” the analytics firm said. “Higher average selling prices helped to offset softer demand as consumers remained selective in their discretionary spending.”

“Consumers continue to prioritize footwear purchases that deliver a meaningful combination of function, comfort, and personal expression,” Beth Goldstein, executive director and footwear industry advisor at Circana, said. “Wellness and active lifestyles remain powerful demand drivers, supporting growth in running and other performance categories.”

Goldstein added that “consumers are still willing to trade up for footwear and accessories” that help express their identity, create emotional connection, or support the experiences that matter most to them.”

Circana’s proprietary data showed that while sport lifestyle sneakers continued to account for the largest share of sales, it was performance footwear that again served as the shoe sector’s primary growth engine. The data also showed that interest in wellness and the active lifestyle did not wane in the third quarter. Running led category gains, with dollar sales up 10 percent and units also growing. By sport, soccer footwear posted double-digit gains in both dollars and units. Footwear for other sports — baseball, football, and volleyball, to name a few — also experienced growth.

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