footwear industry in the Russian market

With more than two decades of presence in the global trade arena and with full knowledge of the characteristics of the Russian market and the Eurasian regions, as well as with knowledge of the distribution networks in this country and comprehensive and complete knowledge of the laws of international trade and investment, Fardad Group of Companies has provided a suitable platform and background for the entry of Iranian products into the booming Russian market.

Shoe Industry in Russia

Considering the volume of global production, it can be said that the volume of Russian production in this industry is small, but it should not be overlooked that even this small amount is competitive in terms of quality with products from other countries.

In recent years, Russia has become a major importer of these products, and this is due to the severe pressure of sanctions and the withdrawal of well-known global brands and companies. The sanctions imposed on Russia have caused even affordable global brands such as (Zara, H&M, Sensai) to stop operating in this country.

Ranking of famous shoe brands in Russia in 2023
Ralf Ringer
Westfalika
Unichel
Tervolina
English Shoes
Burgerschuhe
Calypso
Respect
Tofa
Ralf Ringer

The first place goes to Ralph Ringer, a well-known mass-market manufacturer in Russia that produces RTW shoes for women, men and children.

The brand was founded in 1996 in Moscow at the Burevestnik factory. Currently, it has three production bases in Moscow, Vladimir and Zaraysk. According to the latest known data, Ralph Ringer produces about 2 million pairs annually and is the leader in this indicator.

The brand uses medium-priced materials for the uppers, such as smooth and grained leather textiles, nubuck artificial leather, crushed leather, for the lining – fur or natural leather or made of textiles, and for the sole – rubber or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyurethane (PU).

Despite the fact that ready-made and relatively inexpensive patterns are used in production, the models themselves are distinguished by bright design and interesting patterns. A rich selection of business shoes allows the buyer to choose the right color and model.

Westfalika

The second place is occupied by Westfalika, a large Russian brand that produces RTW shoes. The brand has more than 600 boutiques throughout Russia and was founded in Novosibirsk in 1993 with the aim of producing clothing and accessories.

The brand uses natural materials for the production of shoes and boots. The upper is made of various types of leather, suede or nubuck; combined textiles for the lining and insoles are made of leather, wool or fur. The sole is made of recyclable materials such as rubber and polyurethane, and the assembly of shoes is carried out by gluing, molding and composite methods.

A wide and diverse range of products can be found at Westfalika. Classic shoes, sandals, winter boots and boots, comfortable sneakers and business boots are just some of the brand’s custard-colored range.

Unichel

The Unichel brand takes the well-deserved bronze; it is the largest manufacturer of affordable footwear in Russia.

In 1932, a small workshop for sewing and repairing shoes was opened in Chelyabinsk. All operations were carried out manually by a team of 16 people. During World War II (the Great Patriotic War), this small workshop was transformed into a factory with 120-150 workers, the “Chelyabinsk Shoe Factory No. 1”. In the 1950s-1970s, it expanded its production and in 1992 it continued to operate on the market under the Unichel trademark.

The uppers of the products are made of affordable smooth leather, as well as fabric, nubuck and suede. The lining materials of shoes and boots are made of textiles or natural leather, while for boots and other winter models, fur or synthetic heat-absorbing materials are used. The sole is also made of thermoplastic elastomer and thermoplastic polyurethane. These shoes are designed and manufactured at a reasonable and affordable price for the general public.

Tervolina

In fourth place is Tervolina, one of the largest and most famous shoe chains in Russia. The brand was founded in 1992 and initially did not produce anything, but only supplied goods from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy. And in 1998 Tervolina opened its own factory in Tolyatti.

Shoes of this brand are produced at an affordable price for the general public, using high-quality materials: for the upper – smooth, grained and perforated leather, nubuck and suede. For the lining: fur and genuine leather, textiles and wool. Most models have a combined lining, which allows for better heat distribution.

Since ready-made and standard sewing and patterns are used in the production, the models have a standard and very simple design. The design of men’s shoes is more business-like, while women’s shoes are more classic, and children’s shoes are characterized by beauty, lightness and comfort.

Despite the fact that the main office is located in Moscow, the brand’s products are produced not only in Russia, but also in Turkey and Albania. It should be noted that the quality of production in other countries does not differ from Russian standards.

TOP

The fifth place is occupied by the exclusive representative of TOP: English Shoes, a well-known workshop in Moscow, created in 2008 by Sergey Minaf. The company began its activities with the repair and maintenance of specialized shoes, but now it is engaged in the production of custom-made men’s shoes.

The materials for the manufacture of the upper, sole and lining are exclusively natural: suede, calfskin, crocodile leather, skin from the tanneries Horween and J. Rendenbach. And the shoes are made entirely of leather. The sole can also be made of leather or rubber, depending on the order.

Designs and patterns  Goodyear welted, Blake Rapid.

Since the shoes are made to order, the design and formality of the model depends on the wishes of the customer.

Burgerschuhe

Sixth place – Burgerschuhe – a Russian brand that produces comfortable and high-quality shoes for men and women. The factory itself is located in the city of St. Petersburg and has a very rich history. It began its work in 1910 under the name Pobeda factory. After that, the company changed its name and production method three times and now operates under the Burgerschuhe brand.

The outer part of boots, sneakers and shoes is made of natural suede, nubuck or smooth leather. Some models also use artificial suede or nubuck, but the price of such shoes is lower and they are perfect for St. Petersburg rain. For the lining, Bargershoes uses 100% fur or wool, warm synthetic material Thinsulate, textiles and natural leather. The sole is made of thermoplastic elastomer and polyurethane. The product is manufactured using injection or adhesive methods.

Shoes under the Burgerschuhe brand are produced for everyday use, so their design is simple and has a low degree of formality.

Burgerschuhe currently has 15 stores in the northern capital and the Leningrad region, but plans to expand its sales throughout the country. Therefore, it also has an online store and provides online sales to customers.

Calipso

The seventh place is occupied by Calypso, another major Russian clothing brand, which produces women’s and men’s shoes. The group has been operating since 2003 and currently produces a variety of shoes, boots, sandals, etc.

The company uses mostly synthetic materials for the production of its products. For the upper, it uses smooth or grained leather and perforated suede, and for the lining, it uses natural and artificial leather or other high-quality warm and synthetic textiles and wool. The soles are mainly made of polyurethane and rubber, and sometimes the tonit technique is used.

The company’s men’s shoes are designed according to a general and discreet design that can hardly be called elegant, but these models are very diverse not only in terms of color variety, but also in the complexity of the design.

The main office and factory are in Moscow.

Respect

The eighth place is taken by Respect, a popular brand in Russia that produces casual shoes for women and men. The company began operating in 2001, and a year later opened its first store in Moscow. In the mid-2000s, Respect expanded in Russia, also opening stores in Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Currently, boutiques of this shoe brand can be found in almost all cities of Russia.

The upper is made of inexpensive materials, perforated leather, artificial suede and other textiles, and the lining is made of textiles, natural fur and leather. Some summer models do not have a lining at all. The sole is mostly made of rubber or tonite. The designs are simple, elementary assembly methods are used.

Toph

The ninth place belongs to the Toph brand. This brand includes women’s and men’s shoes of the type of comfortable and lace-up shoes (like the college design). The Toph shoe factory is located in the city of Donskoy and has been established for about 50 years.

All models of this brand are made of smooth leather, artificial nubuck, suede and textiles. The lining is thin and made of natural leather or textiles, and the thick part is made of fur substitutes and other heat-absorbing synthetic fabrics. And the sole is made of thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane and ethylene vinyl acetate

The design of Toph can hardly be called classic, mainly shoes and boots are made according to modern patterns, so the range of men’s and women’s models is very diverse in a variety of colors.

Top Russian shoe brands
Egorievskaya shoe factory
Moscow shoe factory (“Dawn of Freedom”)
Shoe factory Ralf Ringer
Factory “Paris Commune”
Top international shoe manufacturers on the Russian market
Tervolina

The company has existed on the Russian shoe market since 1992. Initially, the company entered the Russian market as a supplier of fashionable Italian shoes, after 6 years it was decided to create its own production. To implement this idea, a shoe factory was opened in Tolyatti.

The products manufactured by this company are simple in design and offered in a wide range of models, and are distinguished by a relaxed design.

Advantages:

Good quality; ease of wearing; availability of large sizes; anatomical insoles and affordable price.

Disadvantages:

The presence of an unpleasant odor (sometimes).

Econics

The company was founded in 1992. In 2012, it opened an online store that provided for the delivery of shoes throughout Russia.

The use of local and foreign designers is one of the strengths of the company. And the company’s products include adult and children’s models. The company’s quality goods were launched on the market with the idea of ​​”Family look” and paired sets for mothers and daughters.

Advantages:

Good quality; comfort; genuine leather upper; variety of choice.

Disadvantages:

High price.

Zenden

The company has been operating in the shoe industry for more than two decades. Initially, it specialized in importing shoes from Germany, as well as Eastern European countries, but in 2002 it launched its own production. Its model range is very wide. The manufacturer offers sports shoes, classics, models for children, women, men. The brand belongs to the group of budget manufacturers, as it uses inexpensive materials in the manufacture – plastic, nubuck, high-quality leather, etc.

Advantages:

Affordable price, wear resistance; durable stable heel.

Disadvantages:

Weak connections

Kotofey

The brand specializes in children’s shoes, as well as shoes for teenagers. The company has been producing since 1936. The goods comply with generally accepted Russian standards, international standards, as well as technical regulations. When developing models, designers take into account fashionable innovations, which allows them to release comfortable and desirable shoes and boots. The range includes models from birth to 18 years. But recently, the brand has launched a men’s and women’s line.

Advantages:

Good quality; anatomical block taking into account the structure of the children’s foot; large size range; constant updating of models.

Disadvantages:

The soles of some models are fragile. Buyers pay attention to the care of children’s feet.

For babies who take their first steps, preventive boots and shoes are made. They prevent the formation of flat feet.

Rieker

The history of this brand is more than 150 years. The factory that produced the first pair of Rieker shoes began operating in Germany in 1874. Shoes and boots manufactured by this company are designed for everyday wear, but there are also luxury models in the company’s product range. For production, the manufacturer uses both natural and synthetic materials. Today, the brand produces more than 1,000 models of women’s and men’s shoes, including: boots and ankle boots, boots and sneakers, casual and classic shoes, sandals, slippers and moccasins.

Rieker is a European manufacturer whose products are sold in 62 countries around the world.

Advantages:

Suitable for everyday use; lightweight, flexible sole.

Disadvantages:

Boring design; winter boots do not cope with the Russian winter. Special care is required.

Marco Tozzi

It is one of the best brands of women’s shoes and combines comfort and elegance. The products of this factory are made of natural and high-quality leather. Molded rubber is used for the soles of winter models, so they do not slip on ice. Marco Tozzi’s trademark is the Feel me sole.

Advantages:

Abrasion-resistant, special soles and the presence of memory foam in shoes and the Antishock heel shock system and the heel damper system; increased pad width.

Information on import and export of shoes in Russia

Based on information obtained from the Russian market, the amount of export and import of shoes in the years 2017 to 2022 can be shown in the following chart:

Based on the above chart, it can be concluded that the amount of imports in Russia has increased significantly compared to the exports of this product, so that the shoe consumption market can be expressed as follows:

Based on information obtained from shoe imports to Russia, the top exporters in this market from 2017 to 2022 can be described as follows:

According to the information obtained from the market analysis and the above information values, and considering the withdrawal of countries from the Russian market, about 30 percent of the market is empty, and this number has provided an attractive market for Iranian manufacturers.

Key and important factors for the presence of Iranian manufacturers in the Russian market

According to the initial research conducted on the footwear industry in the large Russian market and considering the key factors:

High and consistent quality of manufactured products

Preferential tariffs on import duties of Iranian goods to Russia

Low export costs of Iranian products to Russia compared to Western goods

The proximity and proximity of Iran and Russia as a logistical advantage and the possibility of exporting Iranian goods to Russia by various methods such as land, rail and sea transportation in the shortest time and at low shipping prices

The absence of a large part of the market from famous Western brands

The possibility of rapidly expanding market share and access to the competitive and trade space in Russia

It can be said that there is a high economic justification for Iranian manufacturers to enter the large Russian-Eurasian market, and the Fardad Group of Companies is proud to establish effective and successful joint cooperation in this direction.