The footwear sector is a very significant segment of the leather industry in India; rather it is the engine of growth for the entire Indian leather industry.

India is the second largest global producer of footwear after China, accounting for 13% of global footwear production of 16 billion pairs. India produces 2065 million pairs of different categories of footwear (leather footwear - 909 million pairs, leather shoe uppers - 100 million pairs and non-leather footwear - 1056 million pairs). India exports about 115 million pairs. Thus, nearly 95% of its production goes to meet its own domestic demand.

The major production centers in India are Chennai, Ranipet, Ambur in Tamil Nadu, Mumbai in Maharastra, Kanpur in U.P., Jalandhar in Punjab, Agra, Delhi, Karnal, Ludhiana, Sonepat, Faridabad, Pune, Kolkata, Calicut and Ernakulam. About 1.10 million are engaged in the footwear manufacturing industry.
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Footwear exported from India are Dress Shoes, Casuals, Moccasins, Sport Shoes, Horrachies, Sandals, Ballerinas, Boots, Sandals and Chappals made of rubber, plastic, P.V.C. and other materials. 

Brands sourced from India:  

Besides, major brands are sourced from India, MNC brands are sold in India and Indian brands sold in India.

US Retail giant Wal-Mart has also begun sourcing footwear from India since the last two years.

The Footwear sector is now de-licensed and de-reserved, paving the way for expansion of capacities on modern lines with state-of-the-art machinery. To further assist this process, the Government has permitted 100% Foreign Direct Investment through the automatic route for the footwear sector.

Conducive Investment climate towards attracting overseas investments and increasing cost competitiveness.

The Government of India is setting up dedicated Footwear Complex and Footwear Components Part where footwear clusters are located.

There has been active interest in collaborating with Indian Footwear companies from European countries like Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Footwear Imports Global Trend:

Major Importing Countries of Footwear (Leather and Non-Leather)

                                                                           (Value in Million US$)

Source: ITC, Geneva

Major Exporting Countries of Footwear (Leather and Non-Leather)

                                                                        (Value in Million US$)

Source: ITC, Geneva

Footwear – Global Scenario and India’s share

The global import of Footwear (both leather footwear as well as non-leather footwear) has increased from US$ 73.79 billion in 2006 to US$ 91.37 billion in 2010, growing at a CAGR of 5.48%. During 2010, the India’s share in the global import is 1.95%.

Source: ITC, Geneva & DGCI &S, Kolkata
Global Footwear import includes leather & non-leather
India’s Footwear includes – Leather, non-leather and uppers

Footwear is the engine of growth of the leather industry in India. India’s export of Footwear touched US$ 2077.27 million in 2011-12, accounting for a share of 42.67% in India’s total export from the leather sector of US$ 4868.71 mn  

India’s Footwear export (leather, uppers & non-leather) is growing at a CAGR of 8.67% in the last five years ending 2011-12

India’s Footwear Export Growth over the last Four Decades 

Export of footwear from India increased manifold over the last four decades. During 2011-12, India’s footwear export is valued at US$ 2077.27, constituting 42.67% share in total export of leather & leather products.

Footwear exports has increased from US$ 119.72 million in 1981-82 to US$ 2077.27 million in 2011-02

Major Markets:

During 2010-11, the main markets for Indian Footwear are UK with a share of 19.16%, Germany 16.15%, Italy 12.46%, USA 8.04%, France 8.93%, Spain 6.45%, Netherlands 4.51%, Portugal 1.41%, U.A.E 2.45% and Denmark 0.97.%.  These 10 countries together accounts for 80.53% share in India’s total footwear export.

Nearly 90% of India’s export of footwear goes to European Countries and the USA. Future growth of Indian footwear in India will continue to be market driven. The European countries and the US are major consumers for the Indian footwear.

A Statement showing India’s Export of Footwear to different countries:

Future Trends: - Keeping in view its past performance, current trends in global trade, the industry’s inherent strengths and growth prospects, the footwear industry aims to augment production, thereby enhancing its exports from the current level of US$ 2.07 billion.

Indian footwear industry poised for growth

India has state-of-the-art manufacturing plants. The footwear sector has matured from the level of the manual footwear manufacturing method to the automated footwear manufacturing systems. Footwear production units are installed with world class machines. Manned by skilled technicians, these machines help to turn any new innovative idea into reality. Support systems created for the sector have indeed served the footwear industry well. India has a well developed footwear component manufacturing industry. The future growth of the footwear industry in India will continue to be market-driven, and oriented towards EU and US markets. With technology and quality of the footwear improving year after year, Indian Footwear industry is stamping its class and expertise in the global footwear trade.