Market Intelligence: Opportunity knocks for leather
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The report confirms that 2026 has begun “at a subdued pace” for the leather industry, with weak demand still shaping market conditions, especially in Europe. However, it insists that there are signs that sentiment could be slowly shifting in some market segments.
While leather demand in furniture and automotive continues to soften, footwear and apparel are showing “early indications of renewed consumer interest”. At the same time, it suggests that opposition to animal-based materials among previously vocal and influential groups of consumers may have reached its peak.
Against this backdrop, leather’s functional advantages over synthetic alternatives have a chance to become more visible again. Durability, performance and natural material properties are increasingly resonating with consumers, creating an opportunity for the industry to re-engage more confidently with the market, it says.
Companies that clearly communicate leather’s strengths are best positioned to benefit. As the report concludes, the opportunity to present leather’s unique qualities has rarely been stronger.
Image: Cowhide horse-print shoes from adidas, to celebrate the Year of the Horse.
