Dublin-based research company Research and Markets is offering a new report relating to the Chinese footwear industry entitled ‘China Sourcing Report: Casual Footwear 2007’. The original report is the work of a Chinese company, Global Sources.

It states that, as the world's largest producer of casual footwear, China continues to report double-digit export growth despite anti-dumping duties imposed by the EU on imports of leather footwear from China and Vietnam in October 2006. Manufacturers were quick to target other markets and to switch to alternative materials. These survival strategies have resulted in an explosion of new styles and features.

Questions covered include: what are the main differences among small, medium size and large manufacturers in the 10,000-strong supplier base?; which materials are Chinese producers currently using for shoe parts and how do they differ in terms of product price and quality?; and how will rising material and labour costs affect product pricing in the next 12 months?

It offers profiles of 89 suppliers and 223 products.