Athletic footwear sales in the US rose slightly in 2019. Men’s, women’s, and children’s athletic shoes grew in the low singles, with children’s doing better. The top five brands in women’s athletic footwear all posted negative results. Women’s business remains the industry’s greatest challenge and its greatest opportunity.

Premium department stores fared the best of any channel, with a mid-single digit increase in sales. Mid-tier department stores suffered a decline in the low singles. Athletic specialty/sporting goods grew in the low singles, while shoe chains were flat. Sport lifestyle footwear—the largest category—improved in the high singles, as casual athletic inspired sneakers continue to be the market driver. The major performance categories were all negative – performance basketball shoe sales declined in the low teens (now representing less than five per cent of all athletic shoes sold), and performance running shoe sales declined in the low singles. Looking at other key categories, hiking shoes and cold weather boots were essentially flat for the year. Skate shoes grew in the low teens.

Nike had a low single-digit increase. Jordan grew in the mid-singles. Converse declined in the mid-teens. Adidas had a mid-singles decline, after a weak fourth quarter. Yeezy sales appeared to be down against 2018.