The footwear industry faced major job losses in 2025 as economic pressure increased across the retail sector. Rising costs, weaker consumer demand, and concerns about future growth forced many footwear companies to cut staff to protect their finances. Even some of the world’s most recognizable footwear and sportswear brands were affected.
The wider U.S. economy also struggled during the year. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s November jobs report, only 64,000 jobs were added, while unemployment rose to 4.6 percent, the highest level since September 2021. These conditions created added strain on retail and footwear businesses, leading to widespread layoffs.
Below is a detailed look at the seven biggest layoffs that impacted the footwear industry in 2025, based strictly on reported events.
Major Sportswear Brands Reduce Corporate Staff
Puma announced one of the largest layoffs in the footwear industry in October. The company said it would eliminate 900 white-collar positions following its third-quarter results. This came after 500 jobs were cut earlier in March, bringing total reductions to about 20 percent of its corporate workforce in 2025.
Puma said the layoffs were part of a strategic reset. The company pointed to muted brand momentum, high inventory levels, and low-quality distribution. Efforts such as stock takebacks and reduced promotions affected sales across wholesale, stores, and online channels during the third quarter.
Remote jobs exploited in global scheme as Amazon halts 1,800 North Korea-linked applications
Nike also made cuts to its corporate workforce in 2025. In August, the company confirmed that around 1 percent of its corporate employees would be laid off. The move followed comments made in June during the company’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report, when Nike president and chief executive officer Elliott Hill raised the possibility of layoffs.
Nike said employees were informed through an internal email explaining that the cuts were part of a corporate realignment aimed at improving focus and efficiency.
VF Corp., the owner of brands including Vans, also reduced its workforce. In May, the company confirmed that about 400 employees were impacted globally across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The layoffs were tied to a reorganization of select commercial functions as part of an ongoing business turnaround. These cuts followed additional restructuring efforts announced earlier in January, though no numbers were shared at that time.
Restructuring Leads to Job Losses at Footwear Companies
Adidas confirmed workforce reductions in March. Chief executive officer Bjørn Gulden said the company would eliminate 500 roles that were considered obsolete after a strategic review. The cuts focused mainly on simplifying operations at the company’s headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Adidas employs around 62,000 people worldwide.
Earlier in January, Adidas had already indicated that job cuts were under review. The company explained that the goal was not cost savings, but reducing complexity and supporting sustainable long-term success.
Food Giants Call It “Efficiency” — Workers Call It Tens of Thousands of Layoffs
Clarks also reported major job cuts during the year. In July, a Companies House filing showed that Clarks reduced its workforce by more than 1,200 employees during fiscal 2024. The company ended the year with 6,161 employees, down from 7,413 the year before. About 220 of the eliminated roles were global corporate positions. The company said challenging market conditions affected global performance.
In the UK, footwear retailer Schuh announced layoffs in January. Managing director Colin Temple said the company would begin a voluntary redundancy process due to rising costs and ongoing economic challenges. The exact number of affected employees was not disclosed.
Business Closures Add to Industry Job Losses
In January, REI Co-op shut down its Experiences adventure travel business after nearly 40 years. This decision resulted in 428 layoffs, including 180 full-time employees and 248 part-time guides. REI chief executive officer Eric Artz said the company explored multiple options to keep the business running, but it remained unprofitable.
These seven layoffs highlight how economic pressure and restructuring shaped the footwear industry in 2025, affecting global brands, retailers, and related businesses alike.
