Kids Footwear Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Casual, Sports, Formal, and Others), By Material (Leather, Rubber, Foam and Others), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets, Specialty Stores, and Online Channels), By Regional Forecast, 2023 - 2030

Kids footwear includes a wide range of products such as shoes, boots, sandals, flip-flops, and flats. The increasing development of these products in various materials, designs, and price ranges boosts the global market expansion.

The market benefited from the increasing children’s participation in various activities such as dancing, sports, and modeling, leading to a growing demand for specific footwear designers for these activities. For instance, in 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a Georgia, U.S.-based government agency, reported that 52.5% of kids aged 6–11 years in the U.S. had engaged in sports activities in the past 12 months.

Recent years have witnessed the launch of new kids footwear, based on popular cartoon characters, prominent industry players. This strategy assists players in accelerating product sales as cartoon figures highly appeal to kids. For instance, in March 2023, Puma SE, a Herzogenaurach, Germany-based athletic and casual apparel footwear and accessories manufacturer, launched a new collection based on the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants, including children's footwear.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Kids Footwear Market

The global kids footwear market has been significantly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus crisis led to the shutdown of several retail outlets, notably in 2020, which considerably hampered the product sales of numerous players, including Puma SE. In addition, the closure of schools, parks, and other commercial spaces negatively affected the demand for kids footwear. However, the year 2021 recorded a steady growth in product sales, especially via online channels, as the lockdown measures were relaxed across countries worldwide.

Segmentation

Analysis by Type

Based on type, the global kids footwear market is segmented into casual, sports, formal, and others. The casual category is anticipated to hold a substantial market share during the forecast period backed by the increasing adoption of kids casual footwear for daily use due to its versatility, comfort, and cost efficiency. Moreover, key manufacturers are actively introducing products in this category to meet the increasing demand. For instance, in September 2023, Paragon Polymer Product Private Limited, a Bengaluru, India-based footwear company, launched an innovative collection of casual children's shoes featuring a range of options, including slippers and sneakers.

Analysis by Material

Based on material, the market is categorized into leather, rubber, foam, and others. The rubber segment held a major market share in 2022, backed by the high adoption of rubber footwear due to its flexibility and durability. Furthermore, rubber is widely preferred by manufacturers due to its ease in molding, adaptability in design, and cost-effectiveness.

Analysis by Distribution Channel

Based on distribution channel, the market is subdivided into hypermarkets, specialty stores, and online/e-commerce, and others. The specialty stores segment is expected to dominate the market in the near term, given the availability of a wide range of kids footwear from different brands at these stores. This channel also provides an extensive assortment of products compared to other retail channels, which further boosts the segment’s growth.

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Overview of the Parent Market


• Supply Chain Analysis


• Industry SWOT Analysis


• Key Industry Developments (Product Launches, Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships)


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Kids Footwear Market

Regional Analysis

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The global market is geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share in 2022, benefitted by high product demand owing to the growing population and consumer disposable income throughout Asian countries including India and China. As a result, numerous international players emphasize the expansion of their presence in the region. For instance, in September 2023, Crocs, a Colorado, U.S.-based footwear manufacturer (offering men, women, and kids footwear), announced plans for the commencement of its footwear production in India in January 2024.

North America holds a significant share of the global market, favored by the high demand for fashionable kids footwear. In addition, the varied climate across the region influences the demand for a diverse range of kids footwear. The climatic diversity prompts parents to purchase specific types of footwear suitable for various seasons and weather scenarios for their kids, such as sandals, boots, sneakers, rain gear, and flip-flops. For instance, the demand for kids' winter boots is high in cold regions such as Fairbanks (Alaska, U.S.), Marquette (Michigan, U.S.), and Aberdeen (South Dakota, U.S.).

Key Players Covered

The report includes the profiles of major industry players, including Puma SE, Adidas AG, Crocs, Bata Shoes, Nike Inc, POU CHEN GROUP, D’chica, XO Footwear, Kayvee Footwear, and Liberty.

Key Industry Developments

• June 2023: Adidas AG, a Herzogenaurach, Germany-based footwear and apparel manufacturer, partnered with Marvel, a New York, U.S.-based entertainment and superhero comic unit of The Walt Disney Company, to design a new line of sneakers for toddlers featuring the popular Marvel Character Spider-Man.


• July 2021: Sketchers USA Inc., a California, U.S.-based footwear, apparel, and accessories company, launched its new kid’s sneaker footwear under its colorful collection in collaboration with Ryan Kaji, a Texas, U.S.-based YouTuber.