As the population increases, so does the demand for footwear — propelling the shoe industry to reach a whopping $104 billion by 2028!

Zoom in and you’ll know a good chunk of this growth is driven by the girls’ shoes segment.

To give you some perspective: There are 35 million girls in the US and a significant portion of this population is seeking out shoes both online and in stores.

As a retailer, this is your opportunity to not just sell shoes but to shape trends and capitalize on growing consumer demand.

And wholesalers, why should you care? You're the lifeline. Retailers are always on the hunt for trending styles.

So, you’ve got to stock up on products that move FAST and be the go-to source for their needs.

Top Picks in the Girls’ Shoe Market

So, how do you decide which products to focus on? The key lies in understanding market trends and identifying high-performing products.

• Sports and Casual Shoes
• Heels
• Flats and Sandals
• Boots

While these sub-categories offer numerous choices, here are the standout products that have garnered significant attention from 2018 to 2023, according to Google Trends:

1. Nike Sneakers

Nike holds a steady 27.4% share in the global footwear market and is also leading the girls' shoe market.

Buyer favorites:

• Nike dunks
• Air Jordans

2. Barbie Shoes

With the Barbie movie released in July 2023, girls have been drawn toward Barbie products, including shoes.

Buyer favorites:

• AldoxBarbie shoes
• HEELYS girl's Pro 20 Barbie shoes
• Mini girls pink River IslandxBarbie chunky trainers

3. Everyday Sandals/Flip-flops/Slides

Reports indicate that comfort is the most common purchase criterion, so everyday sandals, flip-flops, and slides are popular.

Buyer favorites:

• Adidas adilette slides
• Vans checkerboard slip-on sneakers
• Glitter sandal slides

4. Boots

Boots are a timeless favorite, especially among teenagers.

Buyer favorites:

• Platform Converse high tops
• Dr. Marten platform Chelsea boots
• Combat boots

Girls' Shoes Popularity in August—Back-to-School Season

For the past decade, every August there’s been a spike in searches for girls' shoes. Why? The back-to-school rush stands as the second-most important season (after the winter holidays) for many retailers.

In fact, in 2022, retailers hit over $960 billion in sales during the back-to-school season alone – a 10.9% jump from 2021.

What’s behind the boom? Consumer spending on essentials like books, clothing, footwear, and tech items.

Besides numbers, how people shop matters too. According to Footwear News:

• 67% of families said they are considering online shopping due to higher gas prices
• 61% plan on using social media for shopping – Facebook, in particular
• 21% will purchase shoes exclusively online for back-to-school

Insight for retailers: To maximize sales, stock up on girls’ shoes from July to September and sell them through your online and offline channels.

By doing so, you’re likely to see an increase in your sales.