Shoe Stores Industry Profile

The US shoe store industry includes about 28,000 stores with combined annual revenue of about $27 billion. Major companies include Payless ShoeSource, Brown Shoe Company (which owns Famous Footwear and Naturalizer), Foot Locker, and DSW. Shoe manufacturers, such as Nike, also have retail operations. The industry is concentrated: the top 50 companies have about 75 percent of industry revenue.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Fashion trends and personal income drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on effective merchandising and competitive pricing. Large companies have advantages in purchasing, distribution, and marketing. Small companies can compete effectively by stocking specialty products, providing superior customer service, or serving a local market.

Shoe stores compete with department stores, mass merchandisers, apparel retailers, Internet retailers, and some shoe manufacturers.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products sold by shoe stores include women’s casual and dress shoes (30 percent of industry revenue); men’s athletic shoes (20 percent); men’s casual and dress shoes (13 percent), and women’s athletic shoes (10 percent). Other products include handbags, hosiery, and jewelry. Companies may specialize in men’s, women’s, children’s, or athletic shoes. Over half of all shoe retailers are family shoe stores, which offer merchandise for multiple targets.

Shoe stores include national and regional chains, franchises, and independent retailers. Superstores can range between 10,000 and 25,000 square feet; many chains between 1,500 and 3,500. Typical locations include strip malls, stand-alone locations, and indoor shopping malls, particularly fashion malls; companies ...