Shoes News

Compiled by Jeanette Dvorak

For the first time, the Athletic Footwear Association (AFA), composed of 100 footwear distribution companies internationally, has publicized its annual report titled "The Athletic Footwear Market Today." Some interesting facts include the following findings.

United States exercisers bought 365.1 million pairs of athletic shoes in 1993, 1% more than in 1992.
Consumers in seven Western European countries bought 185 million pain of athletic shoes, 2.7% less than the prior year.
U.S. consumers spent $11.62 billion, while Western Europeans spent only $5.96 billion.
In the United States, 38% or almost four out of 10 shoes purchased are athletic shoes.
In Western Europe, only 18% of shoes purchased are athletic shoes.
The average American acquires 1.6 pairs of new athletic shoes per year.
The average Western European acquires about .63 pairs in a year.
America's casual lifestyle and more popular boys' basketball and cross training markets are credited for the overall sales differences, according to AFA marketing analysts.

American Fitness, Mar/Apr95, Vol. 13, Issue 2