Young men are UK’s “most prolific” shoe buyers

London – Men aged between 16 and 24 years-old have been revealed as the UK’s
number one footwear buyers, according to new research from Mintel, which
stated that 95 percent of the age group had bought shoes last year,
compared with 90 percent of their female counterparts.

Market intelligence agency Mintel found that, overall, women are still
“more likely” to purchase footwear than men, at 86 percent compared to 78
percent respectively, but its research states that the continuation of the
casual and athleisure trends is driving men’s footwear sales.

Men’s footwear accounted for 37 percent of all footwear sales in 2017,
up from 34 percent in 2015, and was worth 4.38 billion pounds. While
women’s footwear accounted for the greatest market share, sector sales have
slipped from 50 percent in 2015 to 46 percent in 2017, however, it is still
valued at 5.48 billion pounds.

Chana Baram, retail analyst at Mintel, said in a press release: “Men’s
footwear, particularly among younger age groups, is really fuelling growth
in the footwear sector. In fact, our research shows that men aged 16-24 are
more likely to be swayed by big brand names than women of the same age.

“With trainers such a popular category for men as a whole, young men in
particular are likely to respond positively to advertising campaigns by the
big sports brands that feature their favourite male sports
personalities.”

16-24-year-old males revealed as the UK’s number one footwear
buyers

The research also found that casual shoes and trainers are now the most
popular shoe styles purchased by men, women and children, while the
popularity of heeled shoes among women fell from 29 percent in 2017 to 22
percent in 2018, and flat sandals are now as popular as heeled shoes at 22
percent.

Mintel also revealed that British consumers have shown a “strong
interest” in vegan footwear, with more than one-fifth of people (22
percent) saying they liked the idea of vegan (non-leather) footwear,
increasing to one-third (32 percent) of shoppers aged 16 to 34. Overall,
one in 10 (10 percent) footwear purchasers look for shoes made from
eco-friendly materials when shoe shopping.

The research from an internet survey of 2,000 consumers aged 16 plus in
May 2018 also found that consumers continue to love all things retro, with
four in ten (40 percent) saying they would be interested in buying
re-released iconic footwear. The concept is most popular with male (59
percent) and female shoppers (56 percent) aged 16-34.

“Our research highlights a strong interest in retro brands as many Brits
hark back to shoes from the past,” added Baram. “In a world of increasing
uncertainty, consumers are craving things from a more reassuring time and
brands are now playing on this sensibility by re-releasing classic
styles.”

Image: courtesy of New Balance