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Footwear Wholesaling in Canada - Market Research Report (2013-2028)

Dmitry Diment Dmitry Diment New York, United States Last Updated: October 2023 NAICS 41412CA

Revenue

$2.5bn

2023

$2.5bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

1,752

Businesses

323

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Footwear Wholesaling in Canada industry analysis

The Canadian Footwear Wholesaling industry has faced volatility amidst supply chain shortages and economic turbulence throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite overall economic growth, rising disposable income and expanding nonessential spending, footwear wholesalers contended with setbacks prompted by COVID-19 as retail stores operated at reduced capacity throughout 2020. All the same, a surge in spending and rising product prices resulted in a dramatic spike in sales throughout 2021. But as conditions have normalized, footwear wholesalers have continued to face stiff competition from retailers and consumers purchasing footwear directly from manufacturers through e-commerce platforms. Overall, industry revenue is forecast to contract at a CAGR of 1.6% to $2.5 billion over the five years to 2023, including a decline of 9.1% during the current year.Footwear demand is greatly influenced by exchange rates and supply chain management strategies. When the value of the Canadian dollar appreciates, imported goods become less expensive in the domestic market, thereby increasing demand. Wholesalers tend to assume much of the risk associated with the supply of imported goods to the domestic market, including exchange rate fluctuations and its effect on the valuation of inventories. Wholesalers also shoulder procurement, distribution and quality assurance risks associated with importing footwear. So an increase in demand for imported footwear leads to increasing relevance of wholesalers in the footwear sector's supply chain. However, companies have had to contend with retailers bypassing wholesalers, a practice whereby manufacturers and retailers aim to cut out intermediaries from the supply chain to sustain and improve profit.A growing economy will spur moderate growth for footwear wholesalers moving forward. In particular, discount stores and athletic and sporting goods stores will drive demand for footwear wholesalers. But as online platforms continue to ramp up competition, consolidation will rise. Revenue is expected to rise at a CAGR of 0.8% to $2.6 billion over the five as the industry battles competition from e-commerce. However, due to the dominance of a few enterprises within this industry, most wholesalers are unlikely to benefit from this growth.

Trends and Insights

  • The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in volatile market conditions. In addition to changes in downstream purchasing patterns by consumers, the pandemic has produced supply chain disruptions that have raised product prices.
  • Women’s and girls’ footwear is far and away the largest product market for wholesalers. Female footwear sales are more heavily influenced by changing preferences.
  • Ontario’s proximity to downstream customers attracts wholesalers. Ontario holds nearly 40.0% of Canada’s population in 2023.
  • While wholesalers compete on price, the ability to stock in-demand brands is a key competitive advantage. The ability to secure exclusive licensing agreements is a key advantage from prominent footwear wholesalers.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $2.5bn in 2023.

Trends and Insights

Domestically produced footwear bypasses wholesalers

  • Footwear wholesalers add little value to the product they aim to sell; their main functions are quality assurance and distribution.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Footwear Wholesaling in Canada
Revenue (2013-2028)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

A growing economy will be a boon for wholesalers

  • Canada's economy is expected to expand, with the Consumer Confidence Index anticipated to rise.

Biggest companies in the Footwear Wholesaling in Canada

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($m)
2023
Profit ($m)
2023
Profit Margin (%)
2023
Nike Inc.
1,266.1
307.3
24.3
Adidas AG
541.3
5.7
1.1
Wolverine World Wide Inc.
118.4
N/A
N/A

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Footwear Wholesaling in Canada
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Men's and boys' footwear, Women's and girls' footwear and Infants' footwear. Men's and boys' footwear is the largest segment of the Footwear Wholesaling in Canada.

Trends and Insights

Women's and girls' footwear comprises nearly two-thirds of sales

  • This segment includes casual, athletic and formal footwear.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The Footwear Wholesaling industry in Canada wholesales footwear, including athletic shoes, made of leather, rubber and other materials. Operators in this industry purchase shoes from manufacturers and resell them to retailers with minimal or no further development or processing. Most wholesalers in this industry undertake sales and administrative activities, such as establishing relationships with manufacturers and retailers.

What's included in this industry?

Wholesaling men's footwearWholesaling women's footwearWholesaling children's footwearWholesaling footwear accessories

Companies

Nike Inc.Adidas AGWolverine World Wide Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

WHOLESALE BYPASSRADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID)OFFSHORING

Industry Code

NAICS 2007

NAICS 414120 - Footwear Wholesaling in Canada

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in volatile market conditions. In addition to changes in downstream purchasing patterns by consumers, the pandemic has produced supply chain di...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Women’s and girls’ footwear is far and away the largest product market for wholesalers. Female footwear sales are more heavily influenced by changing preferences.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2023
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2023
  • Major market segmentation in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Ontario’s proximity to downstream customers attracts wholesalers. Ontario holds nearly 40.0% of Canada’s population in 2023.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each province in 2023
  • Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of employees in each province in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

While wholesalers compete on price, the ability to stock in-demand brands is a key competitive advantage. The ability to secure exclusive licensing agreements is a key advant...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Nike and Adidas are the two largest companies in the industry. Both companies are able to leverage their recognizable brands to dominate the industry.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
  • Overview of Nike Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Adidas AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Wolverine World Wide Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Nike Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Adidas AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Wolverine World Wide Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Footwear wholesaling is lightly regulated. Companies are subject to a range of regulations governing the economy, including labeling rules.

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profitability across the industry is low and has continued to decline. Competitive pressures that have forced the bypass of wholesalers, while the COVID-19 pandemic further d...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Coverage Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2016-2021)
  • Operating Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Assets (2016-2021)
  • Liabilities (2016-2021)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Average Wage (2013-2028)
  • Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
  • Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2013-2028)
  • IVA (2013-2028)
  • Establishments (2013-2028)
  • Enterprises (2013-2028)
  • Employment (2013-2028)
  • Exports (2013-2028)
  • Imports (2013-2028)
  • Wages (2013-2028)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Footwear Wholesaling industry in Canada in 2024?

The market size of the Footwear Wholesaling industry in Canada is $2.5bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Footwear Wholesaling in Canada industry in 2023?

There are 323 businesses in the Footwear Wholesaling industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.4 % between 2018 and 2023.

Has the Footwear Wholesaling industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Footwear Wholesaling industry in Canada has been declining at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2018 and 2023.

What is the forecast growth of the Footwear Wholesaling industry in Canada over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Footwear Wholesaling industry in Canada is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Footwear Wholesaling market in Canada?

The biggest companies operating in the Footwear Wholesaling market in Canada are Nike Inc., Adidas AG and Wolverine World Wide Inc.

What does the Footwear Wholesaling in Canada include?

Wholesaling men's footwear and Wholesaling women's footwear are part of the Footwear Wholesaling industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Footwear Wholesaling in Canada?

The company holding the most market share in Canada is Nike Inc..

How competitive is the Footwear Wholesaling industry in Canada?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Footwear Wholesaling industry in Canada.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Canada include:

  • Statistics Canada
  • Industry Canada
  • Canadian Business Patterns

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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