Profits and sales fell at Shoe Zone during its latest financial year, as the footwear retailer faced weaker consumer demand and rising costs across the UK.

According to audited results for the 52 weeks ending 27 September 2025, the footwear retailer’s pre-tax profit dropped sharply to £3.3m, compared with £10.1m a year earlier.

Revenue declined to £149.1m, down from £161.3m the previous year. While store revenue fell to £113.1m from £126.1m, while digital sales edged up slightly to £36m from £35.2m.

Shoe Zone said the fall reflected a “challenging trading environment, driven by declining consumer confidence, a challenging UK economic environment, and higher National Insurance and the National Living Wage costs”.

The retailer also reduced its store estate over the year. By the end of the financial period, Shoe Zone was operating 269 stores, down from 297 previously.

Looking ahead, the company said it expects trading conditions to remain difficult due to ongoing macro-economic pressures and higher wage costs. It is forecasting profit before tax of around £1m for the year ending 3 October 2026.

In his chairman’s statement, Charles Smith said: “This was a challenging year, particularly in the second half, as consumer confidence declined further following the Government’s October 2024 budget, and highly adverse fiscal policies.

“Persistent inflation, higher interest rates, and reduced disposable income contributed to negative economic and consumer sentiment in the UK.

“Sales were good when there was a reason to buy, such as the warm summer and the Back-To-School period, however, discretionary spending remained subdued as consumers exercised greater caution in what they were spending money on.”

Shoe Zone profits slump amid tough trading conditions

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter