“The sneaker is fast becoming a canary in the coalmine for confidence. More consumers are resisting the lure of hyped brands, which is not surprising when the jobs market is weakening and inflation is still such a concern. Consumers may still be spending, but they are becoming more selective about discretionary purchases, particularly when household budgets are already under pressure.”

Susannah Streeter · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Streeter discussed consumer caution and its effect on sneaker sales as an economic indicator.