Imported leather sandals demand in UAE has seen a sharp increase evenas import figures have reached Dh750 million ($204 million) in 2005 compared to Dh270 million ($73.52 million) in 2000.
Ever growing population and mounting tourist shoppers have been prime reason for surge in the demand as tourist shopping forms 30-40 percent of retail sales of footwear.
Even though this segment is the forte of European producers, Asian shoe makers are making efforts to penetrate their share. UAE nationals buy six pairs of footwear in a year while migrated people buy four pairs.
China is an important supplier of non-leather and lower-end footwear. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market for footwear and leather goods is projected to be at Dh3.67 billion whereas local UAE footwear market inclusive of exports and re-exports is valued at Dh1 billion a year.
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