Sales figures released by the German shoe industry have revealed that trends in the shoe industry were very volatile in the first six months of 2004. 

Sales fell by 2.7% in the first six months of 2004, from €1.50 billion ($1.82 billion) to €1.46 billion, said Dieter Rührschneck, chairman of the German shoe industry Association (Hauptverband der Deutschen Schuhindustrie). On a positive note, domestic sales increased by €1.04 billion to €1.05 billion (+1 %).  However, the industry has had to absorb a loss €409 million.

Imports of shoes to Germany increased by 8.8% from 204.6 million pairs to 222.6 million pairs. On a value basis the import price per pair was reduced from €9.68 to €8.55. China is the main importer, with  every fourth shoe imported originating in China. Vietnam comes second. Imports from Italy are still declining, they fell from 29.4 million to 26.9 million pairs a drop of  8.6 % year-on year.

Domestic prices in the first six months dropped by 0.6%, in comparison with the same period in 2003.

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