#541 Back-to-School 2026: Consumer Shifts, Cost Pressure & What's Next for Footwear

What does the 2026 back-to-school season tell us about where the footwear industry is headed? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Andy Polk sit down with Bryan Eshelman, Americas Leader of Retail at AlixPartners, to unpack the findings from the latest FDRA x AlixPartners Back-to-School Footwear Survey. With operating costs at a 14-quarter high, landed costs rising, and consumers making sharper trade-offs than ever before, the data tells a nuanced story about resilience, shifting brand loyalty, and the widening gap between income segments. Bryan breaks down what the numbers actually mean for footwear brands and retailers — from sourcing strategy and inventory management to how consumers are deciding where, when, and how much to spend on shoes this season. Email [email protected] to request access to the report. With special guest: Bryan Eshelman, Americas Leader of Retail, AlixPartners Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA and Andy Polk, FDRA