Footwear jobs down, leathergoods jobs up in Spain
Official figures from the Spanish government show a decline in the number of people working in footwear manufacturing there, but an increase in those working in leathergoods production.
Figures from the government, analysed by specialist fashion industry media resource Modaes, give a total of 40,307 people working in the leather and footwear sectors in Spain at the end of 2023, down by 2% year on year.
There were falls of around 6% in the major footwear production places (Elche, Elda, Petrer and Arnedo) but increases in towns and cities where leathergoods manufacture is an important source of employment.
In Ubrique, where a number of high-profile international brands have manufacturing partners, the industry employed 4,463 people at the end of last year, an increase of 16% compared to 2022.
In and around Madrid, where Loewe has its biggest workshop, 795 people were working in leather and footwear at the end of December, again an increase of 16% year on year.
And in Barbera del Vallès, near Barcelona, where Louis Vuitton runs an important manufacturing operation, the industry had 1,441 workers at the end of the year, growth of 2%.
