Table of Contents
Scope and Themes
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- What you need to know
- Definition
- Data sources
- Sales data
- Consumer survey data
- Abbreviations and terms
- Abbreviations
- Terms
Executive Summary
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- The market
- Type of footwear purchased, February 2012
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- Figure 1: Fan chart forecast of total U.S. retail sales of men’s and women’s footwear, 2006-16
- Market Factors
- Improving consumer confidence bodes well for the footwear market
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- Figure 2: University of Michigan’s index of consumer sentiment, March 2007-April 2012
- Growing Hispanic population will drive market for footwear
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- Figure 3: Average annual expenditures per consumer unit on footwear, by Hispanic origin, 2010
- Health and wellness initiatives will create demand for athletic shoes
- Retail channels
- Most people buy footwear in physical stores rather than online.
- The consumer
- More varieties of women’s shoes purchased than men’s
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- Figure 4: Type of footwear purchased, men’s vs. women’s, February 2012
- Most buy footwear at department stores, mass merchandisers, discount shoe stores
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- Figure 5: Retailers where footwear is purchased, February 2012
- Figure 6: Retailers where footwear is purchased, February 2012
- Most buy footwear to replace old, worn out shoes
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- Figure 7: Reasons for purchasing footwear, February 2012
- Footwear shoppers are creatures of habit, find a style, stick with it
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- Figure 8: Attitudes toward shoes/shoe shopping, February 2012
- What we think
Issues in the Market
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- Will health and wellness initiatives drive sales of footwear?
- Is online shopping changing the retail landscape for footwear?
- What are the primary reasons people buy footwear?
- What are the most important attributes when buying shoes?
Insights and Opportunities
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- Offer a sizing service to help footwear buyers find the best fit
- Encourage online shopping for footwear purchases
- Promote fitness through footwear
Inspire Insights
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- Inspire Trend: Retired for Hire
- Inspire Trend: Guiding Choice
Market Size and Forecast
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- Key Points
- Favorable outlook for men’s and women’s footwear
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- Figure 9: Total retail sales and forecast of men’s and women’s footwear, at current prices, 2006-16
- Figure 10: Total retail sales and forecast of men’s and women’s footwear, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2006-16
- Fan chart forecast
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- Figure 11: Fan chart forecast of total U.S. retail sales of men’s and women’s footwear, 2006-16
Market Drivers
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- Key points
- Shifts in consumer confidence likely to impact spending on footwear
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- Figure 12: University of Michigan’s index of consumer sentiment, January 2007-April 2012
- Hispanic population growth will drive market for footwear
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- Figure 13: Population, by race and Hispanic origin, 2006-16
- Figure 14: Hispanic males, by age, 2006-16
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- Figure 15: Hispanic females, by age, 2006-16
- Figure 16: Average annual expenditures on apparel and footwear, by Hispanic origin, 2010
- Health and wellness initiatives will drive demand for athletic shoes
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- Figure 17: Prevalence of being overweight, obese, or extremely obese, among adults aged 20 or older, 1988-2008
- Athletic shoes as fashion drives footwear industry
Segment Performance
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- Key points
- Both men’s and women’s footwear segments poised for growth
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- Figure 18: Total U.S. retail sales and forecast of men’s and women’s footwear, at current prices, by men’s vs. women’s, 2006-2016
- Women’s footwear represents larger and growing share of sales
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- Figure 19: Total U.S. retail sales of men’s and women’s footwear, by men’s vs. women’s, 2009 and 2011
Segment Performance—Men’s Footwear
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- Key points
- Strong growth predicted for men’s footwear segment
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- Figure 20: Total U.S. retail sales and forecast of men’s footwear, at current prices, 2006-16
Segment Performance—Women’s Footwear
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- Key points
- Women’s footwear segment remains strong
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- Figure 21: Total U.S. retail sales and forecast of women’s footwear, at current prices, 2006-16
Retailer Overview
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- Department stores
- Nordstrom
- Macy’s Inc.
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- Figure 22: Bloomingdale’s flagship New York store’s shoe department
- Kohl’s
- JC Penney
- Market threats and opportunities for department stores
- Mass merchandisers
- Target
- Walmart
- Market threats and opportunities for mass merchandisers
- Specialty shoe retailers
- DSW
- Shoe Carnival
- Payless
- Steve Madden
- Foot Locker
- Finish Line
- Market threats and opportunities for specialty footwear retailers
- Online-only retailers
- Zappos.com
- Piperlime.com
- Endless.com
- Amazon.com
- Market threats and opportunities for online-only retailers
- Other retailers in the footwear space:
Innovations and Innovators
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- Shoe clubs bring excitement and changes to members
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- Figure 23: ShoeMint ‘s welcome email, May 2012
- With TOMS shoppers give and receive
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- Figure 24: Toms day without shoes, April 2012
- L.K. Bennett expands in the U.S.
- Nike innovates with technology
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- Figure 25: Nike Arc Angels
- Onesole offers interchangeable shoes
- UGG opens men’s-only store, launches wedding collection
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- Figure 26: UGG Australia “I Do” collection, spring 2012
- SneakerCon sees strong following
- Flip flops that simulate walking barefoot on grass
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- Figure 27: Kusa Grass Flip Flops
Marketing Strategies
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- Television advertising
- DSW
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- Figure 28: DSW TV ad, “Shoe Envy,” April 2012
- Endless.com
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- Figure 29: Endless TV ad, “Shoes,” November 2011
- Foot Locker
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- Figure 30: Foot Locker TV ad, “Wright Brothers,” August 2011
- Macy’s
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- Figure 31: Macy’s TV ad, “Save Big,” April 2012
- Payless
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- Figure 32: Payless TV ad, “Bubbly,” April 2012
- Shoe Carnival
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- Figure 33: Shoe Carnival TV ad, “Great Deal,” December 2011
- Social media reach
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- Figure 34: footwear retailers’ social media reach, as of May 8, 2012
- Other marketing activity
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- Figure 35: Piperlime women’s email ad, May 2012
- Figure 36: Piperlime men’s email ad, May 2012
- Figure 37: Bloomingdale’s email ad, May 2012
Footwear Purchases
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- Key points
- More than half of all consumers bought footwear in past year
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- Figure 38: Incidence of buying footwear for self or others, February 2012
- Women only slightly more likely to buy shoes than men
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- Figure 39: Footwear purchases for self, by gender, February 2012
- Younger adults more likely to buy shoes than their older counterparts
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- Figure 40: Footwear purchases for self, by age, February 2012
- Higher-income households most likely to buy shoes
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- Figure 41: Footwear purchases for self, by household income, February 2012
Type of Footwear Purchased
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- Key points
- Women’s footwear
- More varieties of women’s shoes purchased than men’s
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- Figure 42: Type of footwear purchased, men’s vs. women’s, February 2012
- More than half of all women buy both athletic and casual shoes
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- Figure 43: Type of women's footwear purchased, by gender, February 2012
- Athletic shoes and casual shoes for women favored by all age groups
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- Figure 44: Type of women's footwear purchased, by age, February 2012
- Higher-income households likely to buy many types of women’s shoes
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- Figure 45: Type of women's footwear purchased, by household income, February 2012
- Men’s footwear
- Both men and women buy men’s shoes
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- Figure 46: Type of men's footwear purchased, by gender, February 2012
- Regardless of age, dress/fashion boots are not commonly purchased by men’s footwear buyers
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- Figure 47: Type of men's footwear purchased, by age, February 2012
- Men’s athletic shoes most commonly purchased across all household incomes
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- Figure 48: Type of men's footwear purchased, by household income, February 2012
- Types of athletic/sports shoes bought
- Casual sneakers purchased most often among athletic footwear
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- Figure 49: Type of athletic/sport shoes bought, by gender, October 2010-November 2011
Retailers Where Footwear is Purchased
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- Key points
- Most buy footwear at department stores, mass merchandisers, discount shoe stores
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- Figure 50: Retailers shopped for footwear, in-store vs. online, February 2012
- Retailer preferences stay whether buying footwear for self or others
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- Figure 51: Retailers shopped for footwear, in-store vs. online, for self vs. for others, February 2012
- Department stores favored by men, women when shopping for shoes
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- Figure 52: Retailers shopped for footwear (physical stores), by gender, February 2012
- Department stores, mass merchandisers account for most footwear purchases across all age groups
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- Figure 53: Retailers shopped for footwear (physical stores), by age, February 2012
- Higher-income shoppers buy shoes at department stores, lower-income shoppers prefer mass merchandisers
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- Figure 54: Retailers shopped for footwear (physical stores), by household income, February 2012
Reasons for Purchasing Footwear
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- Key points
- Most buy footwear to replace old, worn out shoes
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- Figure 55: Reasons for purchasing footwear, February 2012
- Men buy shoes as replacement items, women buy for many reasons
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- Figure 56: Reasons for purchasing footwear, by gender, February 2012
- Younger shoppers buy on impulse, older shoppers buy for fit
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- Figure 57: Reasons for purchasing footwear, by age, February 2012
- Regardless of household income, footwear buyers buy shoes as replacements
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- Figure 58: Reasons for purchasing footwear, by household income, February 2012
Attributes Sought in Footwear
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- Key points
- Comfort and durability most important factors among footwear buyers
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- Figure 59: Important product attributes when buying footwear, February 2012
- Women more likely than men to seek stylish, fashionable shoes
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- Figure 60: Important product attributes when buying footwear, by gender, February 2012
- Older shoppers seek comfort, younger shoppers look for style
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- Figure 61: Important product attributes when buying footwear, by age, February 2012
- Across all household incomes, comfort and durability dominate
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- Figure 62: Important product attributes when buying footwear, by household income, February 2012
Attitudes Toward Shoes/Shoe Shopping
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- Key points
- Footwear shoppers are creatures of habit, find a style, stick with it
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- Figure 63: Attitudes toward shoes/shoe shopping, February 2012
- Women enjoy shoe shopping more than men
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- Figure 64: Attitudes toward shoes/shoe shopping, by gender, February 2012
- Older shoppers will pay more for comfort, younger buyers seek style
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- Figure 65: Attitudes toward shoes/shoe shopping, by age, February 2012
- Footwear buyers in all income groups try to buy shoes on sale
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- Figure 66: Attitudes toward shoes/shoe shopping, by household income, February 2012
Attitudes Toward Shopping for and Wearing Shoes
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- Key points
- Many footwear buyers browse styles online before shopping in stores
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- Figure 67: Attitudes toward shopping for and wearing shoes, February 2012
- Women more likely than men to browse shoe styles online before shopping
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- Figure 68: Attitudes toward shopping for and wearing shoes, by gender, February 2012
- Younger footwear buyers research and buy footwear online
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- Figure 69: Attitudes toward shopping for and wearing shoes, by age, February 2012
- Few differences in attitudes toward shoes across income groups
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- Figure 70: Attitudes toward shopping for and wearing shoes, by household income, February 2012
Reasons for Purchasing Athletic Shoes
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- Key points
- Most buy athletic shoes as replacement for old/worn out pairs
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- Figure 71: Reasons for purchasing athletic shoes, February 2012
- Men more likely to be avid athletes than women, buy multiple pairs
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- Figure 72: Reasons for purchasing athletic shoes, by gender, February 2012
- Younger adults buy athletic footwear for many reasons
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- Figure 73: Reasons for purchasing athletic shoes, by age, February 2012
- Replacement purchases of athletic shoes common across all incomes
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- Figure 74: Reasons for purchasing athletic shoes, by household income, February 2012
Brands of Athletic Footwear Purchased
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- Key points
- Nike favored by both men and women
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- Figure 75: Brands of athletic/sports shoes bought, by gender, October 2010-November 2011
- Nike, Adidas preferred by younger shoppers, New Balance appeals to 65+
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- Figure 76: Brands of athletic/sports shoes bought, by age, October 2010-November 2011
- Reebok favored by lower-income shoppers, Asics bought by higher-income shoppers
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- Figure 77: Brands of athletic/sports shoes bought, by household income, October 2010-November 2011
Impact of Race and Hispanic Origin
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- Key points
- Whites and Asians more likely than Hispanics to have bought shoes for themselves
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- Figure 78: Footwear purchases for self and someone else, by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- Black and Hispanic women’s shoe buyers seek dress shoes and boots
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- Figure 79: Type of women's footwear purchased, by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- Hispanics buy casual men’s shoes, blacks buy men’s dress shoes
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- Figure 80: Type of men's footwear purchased, by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- Blacks and Hispanics shop at discount shoe retailers
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- Figure 81: Retailers shopped for footwear (physical stores), by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- Hispanics most likely to shop for shoes online
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- Figure 82: Retailers shopped for footwear (online stores), by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- All groups buy shoes as replacement for old/worn out items
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- Figure 83: Reasons for purchasing footwear, by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- Hispanics and blacks seek stylish, fashionable shoes
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- Figure 84: Important product attributes when buying footwear, by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- Hispanics and blacks seek sizing service for shoes
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- Figure 85: Attitudes toward shoes/shoe shopping, by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- Hispanics and blacks browse styles online, buy in-store
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- Figure 86: Attitudes toward shopping for and wearing shoes, by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- Blacks buy athletic shoes for fashion
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- Figure 87: Reasons for purchasing athletic shoes, by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- Blacks most likely to buy basketball shoes
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- Figure 88: Type of athletic/sport shoes bought, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2010-November 2011
- Nike dominates across all groups
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- Figure 89: Brands of athletic/sports shoes bought, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2010-November 2011
Cluster Analysis
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- Shoe Fanatics
- Demographics
- Characteristics
- Opportunity
- Comfort and Style Seekers
- Demographics
- Characteristics
- Opportunity
- Function over Fashion
- Demographics
- Characteristics
- Opportunity
- Cluster characteristic tables
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- Figure 90: Men’s and women’s footwear cluster groups, February 2012
- Figure 91: Footwear purchases—Yes, bought for myself, by men’s and women’s footwear cluster groups, February 2012
- Figure 92: Footwear purchases—Yes, bought for someone else, by men’s and women’s footwear cluster groups, February 2012
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- Figure 93: Demographics—Retailers shopped for footwear (physical stores), by men’s and women’s footwear cluster groups, February 2012
- Figure 94: Retailers shopped for footwear (online stores), by men’s and women’s footwear cluster groups, February 2012
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- Figure 95: Reasons for purchasing footwear, by men’s and women’s footwear cluster groups, February 2012
- Figure 96: Importance of product attributes when buying footwear men’s and women’s footwear cluster groups, February 2012
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- Figure 97: Attitudes toward shoes/shoe shopping, by men’s and women’s footwear cluster groups, February 2012
- Figure 98: Attitudes toward shopping for and wearing shoes, by men’s and women’s footwear cluster groups, February 2012
- Cluster demographics
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- Figure 99: Men’s and women’s footwear cluster group demographics (part 1), February 2012
- Figure 100: Men’s and women’s footwear cluster group demographics (part 2), February 2012
- Cluster methodology
Appendix—Other Useful Consumer Tables
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- Footwear Purchases
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- Figure 101: Footwear purchases, by marital/relationship status, February 2012
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- Figure 102: Footwear purchases for others, by education, February 2012
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- Figure 103: Footwear purchases for others, by employment, February 2012
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- Figure 104: Footwear purchases for others, by marital/relationship status, February 2012
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- Figure 105: Footwear purchases for others, by presence of children in household, February 2012
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- Figure 106: Footwear purchases for others, by education, February 2012
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- Figure 107: Footwear purchases for others, by employment, February 2012
- Type of Footwear Purchased
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- Figure 108: Type of women's footwear purchased, by marital/relationship status, February 2012
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- Figure 109: Type of women's footwear purchased, by education, February 2012
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- Figure 110: Type of women's footwear purchased, by employment, February 2012
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- Figure 111: Type of men's footwear purchased, by marital/relationship status, February 2012
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- Figure 112: Type of men's footwear purchased, by education, February 2012
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- Figure 113: Type of men's footwear purchased, by employment, February 2012
- Physical retailers shopped for footwear
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- Figure 114: Retailers shopped for footwear (physical stores), by marital/relationship status, February 2012
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- Figure 115: Retailers shopped for footwear (physical stores), by presence of children in household, February 2012
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- Figure 116: Retailers shopped for footwear (physical stores), by education, February 2012
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- Figure 117: Retailers shopped for footwear (physical stores), by employment, February 2012
- Online retailers shopped for footwear
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- Figure 118: Retailers shopped for footwear (online stores), by gender, February 2012
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- Figure 119: Retailers shopped for footwear (online stores), by age, February 2012
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- Figure 120: Retailers shopped for footwear (online stores), by household income, February 2012
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- Figure 121: Retailers shopped for footwear (online stores), by marital/relationship status, February 2012
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- Figure 122: Retailers shopped for footwear (online stores), by presence of children in household, February 2012
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- Figure 123: Retailers shopped for footwear (online stores), by education, February 2012
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- Figure 124: Retailers shopped for footwear (online stores), by employment, February 2012
- Reasons for purchasing footwear
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- Figure 125: Reasons for purchasing footwear, by marital/relationship status, February 2012
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- Figure 126: Reasons for purchasing footwear, by presence of children in household, February 2012
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- Figure 127: Reasons for purchasing footwear, by education, February 2012
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- Figure 128: Reasons for purchasing footwear, by employment, February 2012
- Footwear Attributes
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- Figure 129: Importance of product attributes when buying footwear, by marital/relationship status, February 2012
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- Figure 130: Importance of product attributes when buying footwear, by education, February 2012
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- Figure 131: Importance of product attributes when buying footwear, by employment, February 2012
- Attitudes Toward Shoes/Shoe Shopping
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- Figure 132: Attitudes toward shoes/shoe shopping, by race/Hispanic origin, February 2012
- Attitudes Toward Shopping for and Wearing Shoes
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- Figure 133: Attitudes toward shopping for and wearing shoes, by marital/relationship status, February 2012
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- Figure 134: Attitudes toward shopping for and wearing shoes, by education, February 2012
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- Figure 135: Attitudes toward shopping for and wearing shoes, by employment, February 2012
- Reasons for Purchasing Athletic Shoes
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- Figure 136: Reasons for purchasing athletic shoes, by martial/relationship status, February 2012
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- Figure 137: Reasons for purchasing athletic shoes, by education, February 2012
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- Figure 138: Reasons for purchasing athletic shoes, by employment, February 2012
Appendix—Trade Associations
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