Wenzhou retains status as China’s ‘shoe capital’

The city of Wenzhou in China’s Zhejiang province has kept its accolade as the nation’s ‘shoes capital’, following a China National Light Industry Council evaluation. The title is reportedly valid for four years, and may lead to city administrators increasing their support for the local footwear industry.

Suggestions for improvement incorporate the creation of ‘special development plans’ for the optimisation of production and business, strengthening the awareness of regional and national brands, and promoting the sale of footwear manufactured with locally-made leather. Other aspects include increasing investment in core digital technologies and ‘internet of things’ systems, and investigating new materials and footwear industry innovations.

Wenzhou is the main region in Zhejiang province for the manufacture of medium- to high-end leather shoes. During 2022, the value of footwear made in Wenzhou was said to total approximately USD 6.1 billion, with this figure representing a year-on-year boost of 7 per cent.

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This article was originally published on page 2 of the April 2023 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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