Global Footwear & Leather Stocks Pulse Week 5, 2026
Week Ending January, 30, 2026
The global footwear and leather sector experienced mixed movements during the last week of January 2026 (January 25-30), amid ongoing tariff pressures, sustainability shifts, and brand-specific developments. While broader market volatility influenced sentiment, premium and performance-oriented brands showed resilience, with some posting notable weekly gains driven by product momentum and market positioning. Year-to-date (YTD) returns as of late January reflected early 2026 trends, often positive for innovative players despite industry headwinds like potential US tariffs impacting supply chains.
Top 10 Gainers in Global Footwear & Leather Stocks (Week of Jan 25-30, 2026)
| Rank | Stock (Ticker) | Company | Weekly Return | YTD Return | Reason for Gain This Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deckers Outdoor (DECK) | Owner of UGG, HOKA | +15.10% | +10.88% | Strong momentum in premium footwear lines like HOKA performance running shoes, boosted by consumer demand for athleisure and comfort amid winter season sales. |
| 2 | Rocky Brands (RCKY) | Work and outdoor footwear | ~+7-10% (est.) | +7.25% | Niche strength in durable work boots, benefiting from seasonal demand and supply chain stability. |
| 3 | Steven Madden (SHOO) | Fashion footwear and accessories | ~+5-8% (est.) | +5.12% | Positive retail trends in fashion-forward styles, with gains from holiday carryover and brand collaborations. |
| 4 | Birkenstock (BIRK) | Contoured sandals and footwear | ~+0-5% (est.) | +4-5% | Steady DTC rebound and comfort-focused appeal in premium segment. |
| 5 | On Holding (ONON) | Performance running footwear | ~+0-3% (est.) | -3.83% | Innovation in high-performance shoes supporting modest weekly uplift despite YTD pressure. |
| 6 | Crocs (CROX) | Casual foam clogs | ~+1.48% | -2.09% | Comfort trend persistence and media mentions aiding slight recovery. |
| 7 | Wolverine World Wide (WWW) | Brands like Merrell, Saucony | ~+1-4% (est.) | +1.83% | Diversified portfolio gains from outdoor and casual lines. |
| 8 | Metro Brands (India-listed) | Indian footwear retailer | ~+2-5% (est.) | Positive | Domestic demand and retail expansion in emerging markets. |
| 9 | Relaxo Footwears (India) | Mass-market footwear | ~+5% (daily snapshot influence) | Mixed | Volume-driven gains in affordable segment. |
| 10 | Bata India / Khadim India | Indian footwear chains | ~+1-3% | Varied | Stable consumer spending in key markets. |
Top 5 Losers / Weakest Performers in Global Footwear & Leather Stocks (Week of Jan 25-30, 2026)
| Rank | Stock (Ticker) | Company | Weekly Return | YTD Return | Reason for Loss This Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NIKE (NKE) | Global athletic footwear leader | -1.80% to -3.54% | Negative | Ongoing brand maturation challenges and competitive pressures in athletic segment. |
| 2 | Some luxury (e.g., Ferragamo influences) | Italian luxury | Declines | Down | Revenue declines reported, impacting sentiment. |
| 3 | NB Footwear (India) | Small Indian player | Negative | -65%+ | Operational issues and shutdown effects. |
| 4 | Select small caps (e.g., Lehar Footwears) | Indian variants | -1-3% | Mixed | Volatility in domestic small players. |
| 5 | Broader sector laggards | Various | -2-5% | Down | Tariff fears and supply chain costs. |
Top 5 Gainers: Trends and Latest News
Deckers Outdoor Leads Premium Footwear Surge
Deckers (DECK) continues its strong run with HOKA and UGG driving double-digit growth in performance and comfort categories. Recent reports highlight premiumization and flagship store expansions boosting investor confidence amid sector resilience.
HOKA Innovation Fuels Deckers Momentum
HOKA’s high-performance running shoes have accelerated growth, with analysts noting broad category strength and Americas market gains. This positions Deckers as a standout in a challenging environment.
Birkenstock Comfort Appeal Sustains Gains
Birkenstock’s iconic contoured designs see steady demand, with DTC rebound and accessory expansions. Institutional buying and foot health trends support positive trajectory despite broader luxury pressures.
Steven Madden Fashion Forward Recovery
Steven Madden’s trendy styles benefit from retail collaborations and seasonal demand, aiding weekly upticks in a value-conscious market. Brand heat sustains interest.
Rocky Brands Niche Durability Wins
Rocky focuses on work/outdoor boots, gaining from seasonal needs and supply stability, with consistent performance in specialized segments.
Top 3 Losers: Trends and Latest News
NIKE Faces Athletic Segment Headwinds
NIKE grapples with maturation and competition, with recent drops tied to market share battles and innovation needs in key categories.
Luxury Brands Like Ferragamo Decline
Ferragamo reports 2025 revenue drops despite Q4 DTC gains; luxury slowdowns and tariff impacts pressure performance.
Small Caps Struggle with Operations
Indian small players like NB Footwear face shutdowns and financial crises, reflecting volatility in emerging markets. (48 words)
Top 10 Global Footwear and Leather News (Jan 25-30, 2026)
EU-India FTA Finalized Boosting Leather Exports
The India-EU free trade agreement, concluded after years of negotiations, eliminates tariffs on key Indian exports including leather, footwear, textiles, and gems, phasing out duties up to 17% to zero over time. This counters US tariff pressures, opens the massive EU market, and supports India’s labor-intensive sectors amid global trade shifts. Source
Next Acquires Russell & Bromley Brand Assets
UK retailer Next rescued the struggling British footwear brand Russell & Bromley from administration for £3.8 million, securing the name, IP, and select stock while retaining only three stores. The move risks 440 jobs but preserves the heritage brand in a challenging retail environment. Source
Ferragamo Reports 2025 Revenue Decline Overall
Italian luxury house Ferragamo posted a preliminary 2025 revenue of €977 million, down 3.8-5.7% year-over-year, despite a fourth-quarter DTC rebound with 6.3% growth. The results reflect broader luxury slowdowns, though direct sales acceleration signals some recovery potential. Source
Anta Sports Secures 29% Stake in Puma
Chinese sportswear giant Anta Sports agreed to acquire a 29.06% stake in Puma from Groupe Artémis for €1.5 billion, with closure expected by end-2026 pending approvals. Anta plans board representation but no takeover, aiming for future collaboration in the global market. Source
Indian Leather Exporters Pivot to EU Gains
Facing US tariff losses, Indian leather exporters eye opportunities from the new EU-India FTA, which eliminates duties and boosts competitiveness. The EU remains India’s top leather destination at 46% of exports, helping offset declines in the US market. Source
Kothari Industrial Eyes Acquisition of Kickers Brand
Chennai-based Kothari Industrial Corporation is negotiating to acquire the iconic French footwear and apparel brand Kickers, building on its existing licensing deal in India and neighboring markets. The potential buy would elevate KICL from manufacturer to global brand owner. Source
Aymod Footwear Fair Prepares for March 2026
Istanbul’s Aymod International Footwear Fashion Fair is set for March 25-28, 2026, at the Expo Centre, uniting global footwear companies, buyers, and professionals. The event highlights upcoming trends and strengthens industry networking amid divergent market conditions. Source
Vietnam Footwear Maintains Export Momentum Despite Challenges
Vietnam’s footwear and leather sector overcomes tariffs, costs, and competition to sustain positive growth, with many firms securing orders through Q2 2026. Localization exceeds 50%, supporting recovery and export targets amid global instability. Source
Indonesia Footwear Industry Contracts in January 2026
Indonesia’s footwear and leather subsector reported contraction below 50 on the Industry Confidence Index in January 2026, per the Ministry of Industry, due to broader economic pressures and non-expansive conditions in key manufacturing areas. Source
Sustainable Materials Trend Dominates Footwear Survey
A World Footwear survey from late 2025 reveals sustainable natural fibers as the top material trend for the next two years, guiding industry shifts toward eco-friendly innovations in footwear production and design. Source
Conclusion
In conclusion, the sector showed selective strength in premium/performance niches despite macro challenges like tariffs. Investors should monitor brand innovation and trade developments for 2026 opportunities. Data approximate from available sources; consult financial platforms for real-time verification.
Check Previous week News : Global Footwear & Leather Stocks Pulse for Week 4,2026
![Weekly Footwear & Leather News Roundup: Sep 27 – Oct 3, 2025]](https://thefootwearedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/News-Featured-Image-768x491.png)
