Argentine footwear industry economic crisis

Footwear manufacturers organized under the group Zapateros Unidos held protests in Buenos Aires' Plaza de Mayo to highlight a severe crisis in the national industry. The demonstrations, referred to as a ‘zapatazo solidario’, involved the distribution of approximately 1,000 to 2,000 pairs of shoes to people in need to illustrate the decline in consumer purchasing power.

Industry representatives reported that more than 200 factories have closed and roughly 10,000 jobs have been lost over the last two years. Manufacturers cited several causes for the downturn, including declining domestic consumption, increased competition from imports and online platforms, and smuggling from Paraguay and Brazil. Data from INDEC indicated that footwear production fell 26.6% year-on-year in September.

Recent reports indicate the contraction has extended to the apparel sector as well. The Chamber of the Footwear Industry (CIC) notes that national production fell from 108 million pairs in 2023 to an estimated 80.4 million in 2025. Specific business closures highlight the trend: the tango shoe brand Comme il Faut is ceasing operations after 24 years due to sales retraction and export difficulties. Additionally, in Quilmes, the closure of retail stores like Sea Quest reflects broader commercial vacancies driven by high rental costs, which can reach up to 20,000 dollars per month for large establishments.