Number of Footwear and Leather Goods Repair Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
19,006
footwear and leather goods repair businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The footwear and leather goods repair industry has declined 19.7% since 2000 (from 23,666 to 19,006 firms).
- •The peak year was 2000 with 23,666 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is growing (+7.1%).
- •Employment: 82,110 workers in 2023 (-41.0% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 55%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 19,006 | 19,661 | 82,110 | 13.6% | 11.2% | +5.8% |
| 2022 | 18,563 | 19,169 | 77,191 | 15.6% | 11.6% | +3.6% |
| 2021 | 17,501 | 18,260 | 74,222 | 14.0% | 14.3% | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 17,561 | 18,351 | 73,219 | 11.6% | 12.5% | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 17,754 | 18,550 | 72,467 | 12.1% | 11.0% | -0.5% |
| 2018 | 17,642 | 18,344 | 72,745 | 10.8% | 11.3% | +1.6% |
| 2017 | 17,689 | 18,570 | 72,379 | 12.4% | 10.8% | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 17,522 | 18,306 | 70,922 | 12.3% | 10.3% | +2.3% |
| 2015 | 17,254 | 17,987 | 69,712 | 11.9% | 10.5% | +3.0% |
| 2014 | 17,050 | 17,779 | 67,960 | 11.6% | 10.5% | +3.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.