Shoe executives at FFANY and FSNYE were upbeat for the spring 2026 season, despite global trade tensions and the overhang of uncertainties due to tariff rates.

“All the retailers are here,” said Matt Priest, president and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, on Monday evening after the first day of FFANY’s show schedule. “Despite the dark clouds, people want good brands. They — brands and retailers — are all having conversations. Everyone wants to have product in place.”

And while there may be some residual questions regarding how to cost goods going forward due to uncertainties over tariffs, Priest said that the standouts for the spring selling season are products that incorporate “freshness, comfort, and performance.” He explained that one main reason for the optimism is that “footwear is recession-proof. Consumers might choose not to buy a new home, for example, but they will buy a pair of shoes.”

Over at Footwear Show New York Expo (FSNYE) at the Park Lane New York, president Phyllis Rein was upbeat. “Retailer attendance was strong and enthusiastic, creating an energetic atmosphere throughout the three-day show,” Rein told FN. She noted that retailers like Amazon, Belk, DSW, Shoe Palace, Shopbob, TJX, Zappos and more, all stopped by over the span of the week.

“Major brands were showcasing new technologies and customizable products, ensuring that footwear is not only functional but also a key fashion statement and a reflection of evolving lifestyles,” Rein added. “I’m excited about footwear collections that perfectly blend comfort, stylish design, and lightweight construction. From cushioned insoles and supportive arches to breathable materials and flexible soles. When my feet feel good, and my shoes look great, I can take on anything the day brings with energy and a smile.”

Anne Mehlman, executive vice president at Crocs Inc. and the Crocs brand president, said that while there is tariff uncertainty in some areas more so than others, “luckily, Crocs is a global business.”

The company has infused its core classic Crocs style with different color ways and prints, as well as a style twist, such as its Mary-Jane styled Croc clog. The company has also expanded its product offerings to include sandals. Some modern silhouettes have holes to allow personalization with its Jibbitz shoes charms, while a few wedge styles feature cork bottoms.

Mehlman said pricing is based on a combination of the firm’s cost optimization strategies and the sourcing base. Crocs sources from multiple geographies. “We are staying nimble and will react as things happen,” she said.

As for Florsheim president Kevin Schiff, he noted that retailers are loving the brand’s new horsebit loafer as well as its expanded range of colors in some of the label’s core styles. As for tariffs, the exec acknowledged that it’s a time of uncertainty. “We aren’t really discussing prices for spring 2026 just yet because we aren’t sure where tariffs will stand by then and if we will have to shift production,” Schiff said. “But overall, buyers are still very happy with our product and ordering robustly this season.”

At Guess Inc., which is licensed through Marc Fisher LLC, pricing is less of a concern, according to Sean Orr, senior vice president of merchandising and sales. He said the brand is currently showing more transitional styles, and had “shifted production as needed back in January,” although some items are still produced in China. “We start at higher price points and so can work into that some of the higher costs from tariffs,” he said.

As for what’s trending, Orr said the sneaker business is slowing down. One style that has done well in the casual shoe category is the Mary-Jane ballet flat. And as dress shoes make a comeback, the brand has increased the padding used by 25 percent to ensure a more comfortable fit.

“Söfft is moving toward a lifestyle brand, and has been expanding its assortment mix over the past couple of seasons,” said Samantha Paterno, vice president of product. She said the tagline for the brand is “Comfort meets Fashion,” with comfort the foundation for all of its shoe styles.

Italian leather is the mainstay of many styles, some featuring premium detailing. And one twist is the leather strap buckle on some sandals that hide an adjustable velcro closure. The brand counts Dillard’s and Nordstrom as key wholesale department store accounts.

Söfft Shoe Co., part of the Berkshire Hathaway Shoe Holdings, last fall launched Align, using the same Söfft engineering and design — including Italian sourced materials — but for men. The shoes feature a slip-resistant outsole and a removable Align-trademarked orthotic footbed. “It’s a $60 insole built into every shoe,” said Paul Sylvia, a Söfft vice president. The collection includes some dress loafers, but are more geared towards “sneakers” that have performance-like walking shoe features. There’s also a Boulder Collection that has the added benefit of waterproofing.

According to Sylvia, the launch last fall was targeted to key independents, such as Shoe Mill in Oregon, and Schuler Shoes in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Align was launched at Dillard’s this spring. The entire line is between $150 to $180 at retail. He explained that wholesale prices are doubled plus $15 to get to the retail price, which ensures retailers a good margin for each shoe. “We increased wholesale prices by $3, which raised retail prices by $5,” he said of the impact from the higher tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Söfft’s marketing director, Ryan Libby, said the company at the August show will have a better sense of which “future stock-keeping units will comprise the Spring/Summer 2026 lines.”

Mykos chief operating officer Jerry Breig told FN that retailers are loving the brand’s new vision. In 2024, after almost 30 years, the company rebranded from Lamo Sheepskin to Mykos in an effort to escape the “pigeonhole” of being a cold weather brand. Now, the line offers shoes for all-seasons including sneakers, sandals, mules and boots.

As for tariffs, Breig noted that the company took one price increase earlier this year before the massive reciprocal tariff plan was announced but hasn’t changed their strategy yet. “We will wait and see what else comes down the pike before we make another pricing decision.”  

Elsewhere in men’s, Tommy Hilfiger, licensed to Marc Fisher Footwear in 2011, was showing a varied assortment from sneakers to driving mocs. At Vince Camuto, Rachel Trewin, men’s account executive, said the men’s dress shoe business is “really strong,” while the casual business has been softer. One style that she expects to do well for the spring ’26 selling season is a dress loafer that features a flexible — think super bendable — sole. While Authentic Brands Group owns the majority stake in the Vince Camuto intellectual property assets, DSW Inc. is responsible for the brand’s operations, which include design, sourcing and distribution.

For kids, Gabrielle Correale, director of marketing at Ground Up International, said:  “Everyone is staying tuned in and trying to be as proactive as possible. That said the energy coming out of FFANY week was really encouraging, lots of momentum and forward thinking conversations across the board.”

She added that the company has “aligned with our retailers and have been proactively planning to ensure we’re well positioned to support them with a solution first mindset across a range of scenarios.”