Despite Omicron, the US footwear and accessories market will continue to rebound in 2022

Recently, Beth Goldstein, an analyst at research firm NPD, said that the U.S. footwear and accessories market has rebounded from its lows in 2020 and is expected to continue to grow in 2022, but there may be some headwinds along the way (such as Omicron), causing sellers to occasionally take a step back.

She also said that not all product categories will be on the same recovery track, and sellers should always pay attention to buyers' latest consumption situation.

Home life has affected shopping trends. According to a survey conducted by NPD in October last year , one-third of Americans want to go to work (one to three days a week), while 40% do not plan to return to the workplace or are unsure. Beth Goldstein said that this mixed trend, coupled with record unemployment ( especially for women ), shows that Americans' workplace fashion has shifted.

As American workers prioritize comfort, even when working in person, the need for emphasis has become casual. Another recent NPD survey showed that more than 50% of respondents wear casual shoes when working outside, while less than 20% wear more formal shoes . The concepts of "comfort" and "casual" will continue to drive sales, even as formal styles slowly improve from their lows in 2020.

In addition, changes in outings have also affected people's shopping habits. In 2020, as many office workers stayed at home and social activities and travel were suspended, sales of certain fashion footwear and accessories categories suddenly dropped, while sales of slippers and outdoor products increased.

Although sales of fashion shoes , handbags, and luggage have improved in 2021 as consumers resume some activities outside of their homes , they remain below pre- pandemic levels in 2019. In short, if these industries are to continue to recover, they need consumers to return to these activities.

However, with the arrival of COVID-19, consumers are limited in their outdoor activities. Nevertheless, Beth Goldstein said that if outdoor activities return again in the rest of 2022, consumer demand for footwear and accessories will be reopened. However, it is important to note that, just like returning to the workplace, the categories that benefit are likely to be different from those that benefited in the past. According to NPD's survey, outdoor activities like walking and hiking will remain strong in 2022.

Another point is that sellers can pay attention to the "sustainable" trend. Just two weeks into this year, major fashion brands such as Timberland and Steve Madden have announced new sustainable development initiatives. This is not just about using sustainable materials, but about developing sustainable models.

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Footwear Accessories

Omicron