Industry Feeling Upbeat at Atlanta Shoe Market Despite Looming Threat of Tariffs
Jennie Bell
Deputy Managing Editor
The Atlanta Shoe Market (TASM) was once again the hot destination for the footwear industry this past weekend, where more than 1,800 brands showed off their fall collections to retailers — and shoe folks had a chance to catch up with friends and colleagues.
“We do shoes all day. So it’s nice coming to Atlanta and you realize that you have so much in common with all the other booths, because they’re working and doing shoes all day too. It’s one big family,” said Steven Safdeye, a sales executive from E.S. Originals Inc.
Laura Conwell-O’Brien, executive director of TASM, told FN, “In my 41 years as executive director, this was by far the most successful trade show yet. The energy was incredible — every hall was buzzing with excitement, engagement was at an all-time high, and it was inspiring to see how alive and vibrant our industry remains.” She noted that attendance among retailers was up 15 percent, and for exhibitors it increased 14 percent.
Despite looming concerns about new tariffs from the Trump administration (and the resulting price increases), the overall mood at the show was largely upbeat, almost buoyant.
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Brand leaders said that while the subject of tariffs is coming up in their conversations with retail wholesale partners, they’re not panicking or changing course quite yet.
“We’re taking a wait-and-see approach,” said Joe Devlin, Ecco‘s independent sales director for North America. “We know it has the potential to impact our business, but we don’t want to make a change and then have to backtrack. There are a lot of things that need to play themselves out before we make any firm decisions.”
Raham Gorguinpour, senior director of sales at Vionic, noted that other factors are weighing on retailers’ minds almost more than the threat of tariff hikes. “Inflation is still a thing — it was up in January. And the cost of sourcing and shipping is a big concern,” he said.
Nevertheless, the overall outlook for business in 2025 was positive and shoe execs were optimistic that the fall collections will resonate with consumers.
One of the most notable trends across the market was “cozy” footwear options, seen in shearling-lined Sperry loafers, multicolor mohair Mou boots and everything in between.
Several brand reps noted that demand for hard-core cold-weather boots has waned in recent years due to the unpredictability of winter weather. Instead the trend has moved toward more-versatile boots and casuals — both cozy and non-cozy — because they have a longer shelf life for both retailers and consumers.
For instance, Jambu, which recently brought in a new designer to modernize its collection, reported strong traction for its casual dress styles, especially its Nia closed-toe wedge.
At Ecco, Devlin said the brand is now grounding itself in its core DNA and bringing back some tried-and-true collections with a more modern feel. (For instance, the rugged Track 25 line has returned after a brief hiatus while the brand removed all PFAs from its production.) Ecco has also invested in the development of its women’s dress collections, ranging from Chelsea boots to ballet flats. “It has a women’s-focused design approach, so it’s made for her, by her,” said Devlin, adding that the emphasis is also on lightweight and comfort.
In terms of other hot trends, Bryan Veentjer, general manager and design director at Bullboxer, observed that Western boots remain a big influence, somewhat surprisingly. “I thought it would’ve run its course, but I’m still seeing it resonating, though it’s not always a ‘true Western’ look — sometimes it’s just in the toe shape or the details,” he said.
But while boots and dress options have gained traction, sneakers continued to wield outsized influence at the show.
At Rieker, its youthful Rieker Sport casual sneaker collection has been a brand highlight, driven by its bright color palette.
Vionic, meanwhile, was touting its performance walking sneakers, including the new Walk Slim silhouette, which is a more fashionable, pared-down companion to its popular Walk Max style.
And Kizik, which has gained a strong following with its step-in performance and casual sneaker collections, is now making a play for the outdoor market with its first hiker-inspired silhouettes.
