Leather shoe market in Russia

The data includes B2C companies. The figures are based on consumer spending on footwear, which includes sneakers, sports shoes, leather shoes, and textile and other footwear, for private end customers for offline retail (major stores, traditional specialty stores) and online retail (e-commerce, catalog ordering). The following information is based on the impact of the Ukraine war on the Russian market.

The global footwear market is a multi-billion dollar industry. Part of the apparel industry, the footwear market consists of sports shoes, luxury footwear, and other related goods. Footwear products are typically made of leather, textiles, and a wide range of synthetic materials. In 2022, the global footwear market was estimated to be worth approximately $382 billion.

In 2023, the footwear market revenue in Russia is expected to reach $6.70 billion.

The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of -0.21% (2023-2028)
The largest market segment is leather footwear, which is expected to account for a market volume of $2.77 billion in 2023.
Compared to the global level, the United States will generate the highest revenue in the footwear market, with an expected revenue of $88.47 billion in 2023.
Looking at per capita income generation, in 2023, each person is expected to generate an income of $46.03 USD.
The footwear market volume in Russia is expected to reach 223.20 million pairs by 2028.
However, in 2024, the market is expected to show a volume growth of -4.5%.
The average volume per person in the footwear market is expected to be 1.98 pairs in 2023.
By 2023, non-luxury products are expected to account for 99% of sales in the footwear market.
The Russian footwear market is witnessing an increasing demand for stylish and comfortable footwear, especially shoes made from high-quality materials.

Russia was the ninth largest importer of leather footwear in 2021.

 

The footwear market in Russia is expected to reach $7 billion in revenue by 2023. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of -0.21%. The largest market segment is leather footwear, which is expected to have a market volume of $3 billion by 2023.

You often hear that Russian shoes are produced in small quantities. This is partly true if you look at the volume of large manufacturers around the world, but one should not lose sight of the fact that Russian products are qualitatively competitive with the products of many leading global brands.

Recent years in Russia can be called the dawn of import substitution. The reasons are obvious: the strong pressure of sanctions and the withdrawal of well-known global brands and companies. Even affordable global brands such as (Zara, H&M, Sensai) have stopped operating in Russia.

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

The first place goes to Ralf 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 data, Ralph Ringer produces about 2 million pairs annually and is the leader in this indicator.

For the upper of the models, medium-priced materials are used, such as textiles, smooth and grained leather. Sometimes – artificial nubuck or crushed leather, the lining is made either of fur or genuine leather, or of textiles. The soles are made of rubber or ethylene vinyl acetate and polyurethane. Assembly is carried out by the method of gluing or bead drilling.

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 diverse selection of business shoes allows the buyer to choose the right color and model.

Westfalika

The second place of honor is occupied by Westfalika, a large Russian brand that produces RTW shoes. It has more than 600 boutiques throughout Russia. The company was founded in 1993 in Novosibirsk. Currently, the production of clothing and accessories has been launched.

Westfalika   Although it is a mass market, it produces shoes and boots from natural and proven materials. The upper is made of various types of leather, suede or nubuck. Combined textiles are used for the lining, and the insoles are made of leather, wool or fur. The sole is made of recyclable materials: rubber and polyurethane. The assembly of shoes is carried out by the following methods: glue, molding and combined.

A wide range of diverse and typical women’s collections is an inexpensive shoe store, so everyone can find a suitable model. Classic shoes, comfortable sandals or chunky boots can be found in Westfalika.

Manufacturing plants are located in Russia and China.

Unichel

The Unichel brand takes third place.

The largest manufacturer of affordable shoes in Russia.

Initially, shoes were sewn by hand from fabric and canvas with wooden soles. At that time, only 16 people worked in the workshop, and the volume of shoe production did not exceed ten pairs per day.

In 1935, the number of employees reached 50 people. Uppers – suede, patent leather, suede, chrome – were received from Moscow, Kazan, Bogorodsk, and leather products for the soles from the Chelyabinsk Leather Factory.

Based on samples taken from Moscow and Leningrad magazines, the shoes were sewn, modeled and ordinary. Shoe models were diverse and complex. The blanks had openwork stitches, holes, and various combinations of colors and shades of the product.

Fastening methods: welding, pins, glue and nails.

In 2016, the Chelyabinsk Shoe Factory “Unichel” launched a large-scale program of technical re-equipment of the enterprise. 9 sets of stiffening equipment were purchased for the Chelyabinsk, Orenburg and Zlatoust factories, which allowed to almost double productivity and significantly diversify the model range.

In addition, the line of the plant’s machinery was replenished with a new cutting set of the Italian brand “Talamonti”, which is used for cutting shoe parts made of cardboard and thermoplastic materials – insoles, midsoles, backs and toe caps. Two automatic sets for cutting shoe upper parts. Two lines for the production of molded soles were launched. Our sole further reduces the cost of a pair, which means that Unichel products become more affordable while maintaining high quality.

New materials and technologies are actively introduced into production. To create the winter collection, Unichel begins to use a new generation material – “frost-resistant varnish”. When creating winter shoes, it uses new generation materials – membrane materials and marmots.

The brand has firmly taken a leading position among domestic shoe manufacturers and specialized retail chains in terms of the number of stores. At the same time, the company is actively developing online business and is starting cooperation with leading online platforms Lamoda and Wildberries.

Tervolina

In fourth place is Tervolina, one of the largest and most famous shoe store 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. In 1998, Tervolina created its own factory in Togliatti. In 2000, the first salon was opened in Moscow.

Shoes of this brand are affordable for everyone, and high-quality materials are used in the production: smooth, grained and perforated leather, nubuck and suede. To create the lining: fur and genuine leather, textiles, wool. Often, models have a combined lining, which allows the foot to better distribute heat. High-quality synthetic materials are used for sewing.

Since ready-made and standard patterns and stitching are used in production, the models are very simple with a standard design. The design of men’s shoes is business, discreet or informal, women’s shoes are classic and light, children’s shoes are elegant and unobtrusive.

The products of this brand 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 the Russian standard. The main office is located in Moscow.

TOP

The fifth place is occupied by the exclusive representative of TOP: English Shoes is a well-known workshop in Moscow, created in 2008 by Sergey Minaf. Initially, it specialized in the repair and maintenance of special shoes, but recently it has been 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. The shoes are made entirely of leather. The sole can be leather or rubber.

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

6th place Burgerschuhe is a Russian brand that produces comfortable and high-quality shoes for men and women. The factory itself in St. Petersburg has a very rich history, which began in 1910 at the Pobeda factory. After that, the company changed its name and production method three times, and finally in 2001 the Burgerschuhe brand appeared.

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

Burgerschuhe is ready to wear; therefore, its design and manufacture are simple. The degree of formality is low, since the shoes are created for everyday wear.

It is produced only in St. Petersburg. “Burgerschuhe” currently has 15 stores in the northern capital and the Leningrad region, but plans to expand further throughout the country. There is an official website where you can order

and the company also cooperates with popular online markets where you can buy “Burgerschuhe” products.

• Calipso

Seventh place is occupied by Calypso, another major Russian brand of ready-to-wear clothing, which produces women’s and men’s shoes. The company first began its activities in 2003. Currently, it produces a variety of shoes, boots, sandals, boots, etc.

The company uses 100% natural and synthetic materials for the manufacture of its products. For the upper, smooth or grained leather and perforated suede. For a thin lining, natural leather and textiles. The soles are mainly made of polyurethane and rubber, and sometimes tonite. The assembly scheme is most often “cemented”, that is, glued or cast.

Various seasonal collections delight lovers of high-quality and comfortable shoes from year to year. Men’s shoes are designed in a discreet design that can hardly be called elegant. But the choice of seasonal shoes is diverse not only in color, but also in the complexity of the design. Women at any time of the year have something to choose from in any color and style.

The main office and factory are located in Moscow, and they also produce at factories in countries such as China, Turkey and Italy.

Respect

The eighth place is occupied by Respect, a popular brand in Russia that produces casual shoes for women and men. The company began its work in 2001, and a year later opened its first company store in Moscow. In the mid-2000s, Respect expanded in Russia, and also opened stores in Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

The upper of the shoe is made of inexpensive materials: perforated leather, artificial suede and textiles.

Textiles, natural fur and leather are used for the lining. Some summer models do not have a lining at all. The sole is mostly rubber or tonite. The designs are simple, primitive assembly methods are used, often glue is used.

Respect has factories in Turkey and China, but at the same time the price and quality are maintained.

Toph

The ninth place in the ranking belongs to Tofa, a Russian brand of women’s and men’s shoes of the “ready-to-wear” type. The Tofa shoe factory, located in the city of Donskoy, has been established for 50 years.

All Tofa models are made of smooth or printed leather, artificial nubuck, suede and textiles. The thin inner part is made of genuine leather or textiles, and the thick part is made of fur substitutes and other heat-absorbing synthetic fabrics.

Synthetic sole: thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane and ethylene vinyl acetate.

Simple RTW cement assembly.

Toph’s design can hardly be called classic, mainly shoes and boots are made according to modern patterns, so the men’s and women’s collections have very different models. Each season offers a new color palette and unique prints.

Summary

After the outbreak of the Ukraine war in February 2022, many foreign brands withdrew from Russia in compliance with Western sanctions. In addition, the growing public support for ethical products (products whose raw materials are not made from the slaughter of endangered animals and environmentally harmful materials) has led people to turn to new and emerging brands in the Russian market.

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

According to the initial research conducted on the leather shoe 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 and Chinese 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 entering the large Russian-Eurasian market, and the Fardad Group of Companies is proud to establish effective and successful joint cooperation in this direction.