Footwear has emerged as a lucrative market with subcategories in athletic sneakers, leather shoes, and textile & other footwear. In 2022, the global footwear market was estimated to be worth nearly $382 billion and is forecasted to reach $508 billion by 2027. Experts also predict that by 2027, women’s shoes will rake in about $220 billion in revenue.
Working in the footwear industry can be a fulfilling and rewarding career. The footwear industry is large, with many different jobs to match your skills and experience level. Some work with the marketing, design, and distribution of footwear, while others are responsible for creating and producing shoes.
For anyone interested in a career in the footwear industry, learning about the opportunities available is an important first step. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about working in the shoe industry.
The Ultimate Footwear Career Guide is your source to discover careers and learn entry points into the shoe industry. In addition to providing information on different career paths available, we also offer exercises on how to begin your career and highlight important skills to help you succeed. In this guide, you can explore the jobs that drive the market, then search for your perfect career by area of interest, skills, companies, or industry experts.
Learn about your skills and interests, identify career options you might pursue, and implement a successful strategy to attain your desired career outcomes.
In this guide, you’ll find the following information:
- Overview of the footwear industry
- The future of footwear
- Footwear Career Library
- Career Planning Strategy to get into the footwear industry
You’ll also find simple exercises that help you:
- Form a career planning strategy to get into the footwear industry
- Find your passion for footwear business and identify an area of interest to pursue
- Learn the industry through top brands, companies, and key players
- Identify your skills and match them to a place of interest
Looking to learn more about the footwear industry, the career opportunities, or build the skills you need? Explore our shoe business course — Footwear Business Foundations — led by the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) to learn the ins and outs of the industry while building your expertise to break into the field.
