Uncover China's Shoe Markets: Exclusive Insider Perspectives

ouaziz
Jun 19, 2023
6 min read

Discover Top-notch Chinese Suppliers for Your Shoe Business.

In search of dependable Chinese suppliers for your upcoming shoe venture? Look no further. With its global dominance in footwear production, China presents a vast array of high-quality shoes at competitive prices.

Our blog is your go-to resource, providing a comprehensive guide to sourcing shoes from China. Unveil essential insights to ensure a successful procurement journey.

Top Wholesale shoe markets in China

Claiming nearly 70% of global shoe production, China solidifies its position as the world's largest footwear manufacturing base. Notably, it serves as a prominent processing and production hub for renowned international shoe brands like Nike.

Within China, numerous shoe factories thrive, concentrated in four key regions:

Guangdong Province: Leading the pack are Guangzhou and Dongguan, specializing in mid to high-end shoe production.
Fujian Province: The likes of Quanzhou, Jinjiang, and Putian dominate the sneaker market.
Zhejiang Province: Wenzhou, Taizhou, and Yiwu are key players in mid to low-end shoe manufacturing.
Sichuan Province: Chengdu shines as a prominent producer of high-quality women's shoes.

Explore these industrial clusters for a comprehensive understanding of China's dynamic footwear landscape.

These provinces have rich experience and specialized industrial chains in shoe production. So you can get high-quality and diversified shoe choices. Below, I have listed 5 well-known shoe markets in these areas.

Guangzhou Metropolis Shoes City (广州大都市鞋城)

It is the largest wholesale shoe market in Guangzhou, with a history of over 100 years. As the leader in the shoe industry spot wholesale market, Metropolitan Shoes City mainly sells medium to high-end genuine leather shoes. Here, you can find a wide variety of genuine leather footwear products.

Fuzhou Da Shoes City (福州大鞋城)

Fuzhou Da Shoes City is renowned for its vast scale and diverse range of footwear products. It supplies various types, including sneakers, leather shoes, sandals, etc.

For businesses and individual buyers seeking shoe suppliers or purchasing footwear products, Fuzhou Da Shoes City is a place worth considering. Here, you can find a wide variety of shoe styles and brands that meet different requirements and budgets.

Jinjiang International Shoes & Textile City (晋江国际鞋纺城)

Jinjiang International Shoes & Textile City offers a wide range of footwear products with complete varieties and specifications, including sneakers, genuine leather shoes, sandals, etc.

The professional market primarily deals with synthetic leather, hardware accessories, shoe soles, and other footwear-related materials. This enables customers to conveniently source all categories of shoes and materials.

Wenzhou International Shoes City (温州国际鞋城)

Wenzhou International Shoe City is a global footwear trading center. It is a massive shoe market that offers millions of shoe products ranging from ordinary sneakers to high-end fashion shoes.

The trading method in Wenzhou International Shoe City is also unique. It follows the “one street, one type of goods” approach, which means that each street specializes in a particular type of footwear, allowing you to find a wide variety of similar shoes on that street.

Dazheng Shoes Market （成都大正鞋城）

Dazheng Shoes Market is the largest wholesale shoe market in Chengdu, specializing in the wholesale of medium to high-end footwear products. It is a large, systematic, intelligent, and distinctive wholesale city for shoes in the central and western regions of China.

The first and second floors are dedicated to branded shoes, the third floor is for fashionable casual shoes, and the fourth floor is the international brand exhibition area.

The B2B Platform Predicament: Choosing Between Factories and Trading Companies

When it comes to importing shoes, our clients often face the decision of whether to work directly with factories or opt for trading companies. While the common belief is that factory prices are more cost-effective, the reality is more nuanced and depends on your specific business scale and needs.

If your requirement involves purchasing a variety of shoe types in relatively small quantities, such as slippers, sneakers, and leather shoes, it is advisable to consider trading companies. These entities are more likely to accept small orders and allow you to consolidate your orders under one trading company.

Platforms like Alibaba and Made-in-China predominantly consist of approximately 90% trading companies. Hence, these platforms provide a convenient avenue to find suitable partners who can assist you with production.

On the other hand, if you are looking to import a large volume of a specific shoe type, such as slippers, working directly with a factory can offer more competitive pricing. However, it can be challenging to find reliable and authentic factories in China. Many Chinese factories are small-scale and prioritize production over marketing efforts. Furthermore, some factories primarily serve Chinese foreign trade companies, making their information primarily available on Chinese websites like 1688, making them less accessible for international buyers.

To overcome these challenges, we recommend partnering with a trusted sourcing company like Cosmic Sourcing. With our extensive database of factory resources, we can quickly match you with suitable shoe factories based on your requirements. We pride ourselves on our professionalism and reliability in connecting you with the right suppliers.

Key Tips for Successful Shoe Imports from China

Pay Attention to the shoe sizzing chart

Shoe sizing can be a puzzle due to the existence of seven major sizing systems worldwide. The most prevalent ones include the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Japan.

It's important to note that each country and brand may adopt its own unique sizing system and standards. Furthermore, distinctions are made between men's and women's shoe sizes. For instance, consider a size 37 shoe in China. This corresponds to a size 6 in the United States, 3.5 in the United Kingdom, 36 in Europe, and 22 in Japan.

Therefore, before importing shoes from China to your country, you’d better inquire with your supplier about a shoe sizing chart to ensure accurate shoe sizing. Asking your supplier to attach a size chart to each shoe box is also important.

Shipping Time Matters to avoid outdated shoes

The demand for shoes can be influenced by various factors, including seasonal variations and fashion trends. To stay ahead in the market and meet customer preferences, it is vital to plan your orders strategically, ensuring timely delivery and availability of the desired shoe styles.

When purchasing seasonal footwear or following the latest trends, asking your supplier specific questions becomes crucial. Inquire about product lead time, the supplier's production capacity, and their logistics arrangements to ensure that the desired shoe styles are available when you need them.

For instance, if you're planning to import a large quantity of sandals from China for the upcoming summer season, it's imperative to ensure they are shipped well in advance. The same principle applies to winter or any other occasion where specific footwear is in high demand. By effectively coordinating with your supplier, you can secure timely availability of the desired shoes, enabling you to meet market demand with precision.

Avoid Importing Unauthorized Branded or Counterfeit Shoes

China houses numerous OEM factories for renowned shoe brands like Nike, Adidas, Converse, and UGG, alongside a wide array of domestic shoe brands such as ANTA, Li-Ning, and ERKE.

When it comes to wholesale branded shoes or importing Chinese brands, certain limitations apply. These factories have exclusive agreements with the brands, supplying their shoes solely to authorized retail stores, both online and offline. If you aim to obtain inventory for resale, securing proper authorization is imperative, albeit not economically feasible.

In another scenario, several Chinese factories specialize in producing replica shoes for popular brands, particularly in Putian, Fujian province—known as the "source of 90% of replica shoes in China." With their extensive production experience and a well-established industry chain, some replica shoes even surpass the originals in terms of quality and craftsmanship while being priced significantly lower.

However, it's important to note that importing replica shoes from China is prohibited. Suppliers generally refrain from selling large quantities of replica shoes due to the illegality of manufacturing and distributing replica products in China. Moreover, the risk of customs inspections looms large. If discovered, not only will your goods be confiscated, but you may also face legal consequences.

Protect Your Shoe Import Business with Cosmic Sourcing

Experience the Expertise of Cosmic Sourcing in Shoe Sourcing

With a proven track record of assisting over 1,000 clients, Cosmic Sourcing is a trusted leader in China for sourcing shoes of diverse materials, craftsmanship, and styles. In addition to traditional leather, fabric, and rubber shoes, we specialize in sourcing more specialized and functional options.

Whether you require electrically heated shoes, air-conditioned shoes, height-increasing shoes, or trail illumination shoes, our extensive network of manufacturers and suppliers ensures we can meet your unique production needs.

For instance, if you cater to customers in colder regions, we excel at finding factories capable of producing top-quality electrically heated shoes. These innovative footwear options incorporate advanced lining materials and carbon-fabric technology, providing unparalleled warmth and comfort in chilly environments.

Unlock Your Custom Shoe Designs with Cosmic Sourcing

Our extensive experience in customizing various shoe styles sets us apart. We possess a deep understanding of the technical intricacies, craftsmanship processes, and material selection involved in shoe manufacturing.

With our professional design team, we can transform your shoe concepts into reality. If you lack a design sketch, simply provide us with a shoe image, and we'll utilize tools like CAD to create accurate parameter drawings. Not only do we offer traditional 2D drawings, but we also provide 3D representations in formats like STP, STEP, and STL.

This comprehensive approach allows for a clear visualization of the shoe's structure and materials, enabling us to assess the need for mold development in areas like the sole and heel. We can even incorporate personalized pattern printing or embroidery on the shoes.

To ensure your satisfaction, we prioritize the production of a 3D-printed prototype, allowing you to assess the shoe's actual appearance without the high cost of creating new molds. This approach facilitates multiple revisions if needed, ensuring optimal results while minimizing expenses associated with mold remaking.