Overview

• The ‘Barefoot – European Shoe Fair’ opened July 31 in Offenbach am Main as the continent’s first event dedicated exclusively to minimalist footwear.
• Seventy-one exhibitors from Germany and abroad are showcasing styles ranging from children’s sandbox shoes to insulated suede boots and wooden-soled designs.
• Last year’s European barefoot shoe sales totaled €120 million to €150 million, accounting for about 1.2 to 1.6 percent of the overall footwear market.
• The Bundesverband der Schuh- und Lederwarenindustrie expects the segment to grow to 5 to 7 percent market share over the coming years.
• Children’s models lead demand, comprising up to 30 percent of the kids’ shoe segment as parents seek designs that support natural foot movement.