According to The American Apparel & Footwear Association’s (AAFA) annual trends report for the US apparel and footwear industries in 2006, despite rising gas prices and a slump in the housing market, consumers continued to buy shoes and clothing last year, helping to boost the US economy.

The report includes analysis of business and trade information for the US apparel and footwear industries, covering consumption, production, imports, employment, and wholesale and retail prices.