U.S. footwear retailers and brands are facing a mounting crisis at the checkout counter as a critical shortage of available sizes now rivals high prices as the primary reason consumers abandon their purchases.
According to the Spring 2026 U.S. Consumer & Executive Footwear Survey released by AlixPartners and the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), 65 percent of shoppers reported walking away from a sale because they could not find their size. This represents a staggering 91 percent increase in stockout-related abandonment compared to last year.
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While price remains the top deterrent at 67 percent, the gap between affordability and availability has nearly vanished.
The shift comes as retailers have adopted a more conservative approach to inventory management following a year of heavy tariff pressures and rising costs. However, this caution appears to be backfiring. While shoppers are still entering stores or visiting websites with the intent to buy, they are increasingly met with empty shelves.
“Demand for footwear remains strong, but consumer tolerance for friction has collapsed,” said Bryan Eshelman, partner and managing director at AlixPartners. “Consumers are doing the research and showing up ready to buy, but too often they are leaving empty-handed because the product is not available in their size or does not meet their price expectations.”
The industry is grappling with these logistical hurdles against a backdrop of darkening economic sentiment. Consumer confidence hit a record low this month, and 61 percent of survey respondents now expect economic conditions to worsen over the next six months. This represents a sharp rise from March, when only 45 percent held a negative outlook.
Matt Priest, president and CEO of the FDRA, said the industry is bracing for a difficult season as trade uncertainty continues to weigh on the market. “Our latest consumer and executive survey data confirm what our members are experiencing on the ground: confidence is softening, and affordability concerns are now front and center for both businesses and American consumers,” Priest added.
Despite the broader downturn, the “casual” category remains the lone bright spot in the industry, showing only a 1 percent decline in purchase intent. Other sectors have fared much worse, with work boots falling 16 percent and athletic wear dropping 8 percent. However, the survey suggests that the definition of casual is evolving. Shoppers are now applying the label to a wide variety of footwear, including sneakers, sandals and even loafers, prioritizing versatility over traditional style categories.
“Consumers have redefined casual around versatility and everyday use,” said Sonia Lapinsky, fashion retail leader at AlixPartners. “Traditional category definitions are losing relevance as shoppers look for footwear that works across occasions and activities.”
The research also revealed other changes in the consumer mindset.
The report highlighted a significant disconnect regarding technology. While many brands have invested heavily in artificial intelligence to help customers find the right fit, shoppers are largely ignoring these tools. AI-powered fit applications ranked last among the methods consumers use to determine their size, trailing far behind traditional size charts, sales associates, and the classic Brannock measuring device.
Instead of high-tech fit gadgets, consumers expressed a preference for practical tools that address their immediate frustrations. Price comparison features, image searches and restock alerts were cited as the most valued digital resources for the modern shopper.
