Wenzhou footwear groups 'struggling to make profit'

27/06/2013
Zheng Shili, general manager of Wenzhou Golden Emperor Shoes in Zhejiang Province, has told The China Daily that most shoe manufacturers in the city are struggling to make a profit.

"Overseas orders have continued to decline as consumer demand remains severely affected by the slow economic recovery in most European countries," he said.

Orders for leather shoes dropped about 30% in May compared to the same period two years ago.

China’s manufacturing production dropped to a nine-month low in June, according to lender HSBC. The reduction means an accelerated contraction of the country's manufacturing sector, economists said.