While the garment industry has been the focus of global campaigns with the creation of numerous initiatives aimed at increasing standards, the footwear sector still lags in adoption of better and more rigorous practices. Though apparel has made great strides towards advancing supply chain sustainability, footwear has been a step behind. Generally, shoe brands lag behind other industries in terms of the transparency of the supply chain—even within ethical shoe brands.

Structural problems and inherently poor practices have plagued the shoe sector. The industry needs to take urgent action to improve working conditions and sustainability in footwear supply chains. More than 23 billion pairs of shoes were produced globally in 2016, and 87 per cent of those shoes were made in Asia—two-thirds of which came from China. Looking at leather shoes in particular, 40 per cent are produced in China, followed by Italy and Mexico each making six per cent, and Brazil and India at four per cent each.

Purchasing strategies have also posed problems in footwear supply chains. The pressure to reduce costs, has, as in the apparel industry, led to lower wages and wage or working hours violations. Some footwear firms are using PETA approved vegan materials, organic cotton and natural rubber for soles that comes from certified rubber tree plantations.