New David Peters blog: grim future for leather in footwear
27/09/2017
The shoe leather segment is “a determining factor in the health and well-being of global hide markets,” he says, and the ground leather has lost in mainstream footwear cannot be offset by the automotive or upholstery businesses.
This poses the problem of what to do with the abundant supply of hides currently available, especially from the US. Mr Peters forecasts that the current supply situation in the US is likely to continue for at least another 18 months.
He also uses his latest column to take aim at footwear manufacturers who are choosing to shun leather in favour of “cheaper, more mundane materials”. He is especially critical of those using “substrates masquerading as leather”, and points to the example of Nike’s Flyleather innovation, which he says is no more than bonded leather.
All blogs can read for free on the blog page.
Share this story:
