This report takes a detailed look at the foot care market, shedding light on the reluctance of consumers to seek out medicinal or therapeutic treatment for their foot ailments. Incidence of these ailments is increasing and will continue to rise. What are non-medicinal treatments are consumers turning to instead? Mintel’s exclusive consumer research investigates what remedies Americans seek first when looking for solutions in the foot care. Mintel also suggests that, among other factors, diabetes and its alarming increased prevalence in the U.S. will be a key market driver affecting sales. Because of these and other factors, including product innovation that is finally starting to spark interest among consumers and industry analysts, the foot care market is expected to show more rapid growth over the next five years. Growth will be boosted by the transformation of foot care from a medicinal category to one that focuses more on beauty and pampering.

Overall, the market has been stagnant or in a slight decline since 2001, despite the fact that consumers continue to experience foot pain and irritation in large numbers due to aging, obesity, and even increased athletic activity. Stuck on their feet all day and plagued by the accompanying aches and pains, Americans seem to have resigned themselves to tolerating foot pain. However, this report discusses how the tide may be shifting to the benefit of the foot care market.

For the purposes of this report, the foot care market includes the following products:

devices for foot support such as liners, insoles, cushions, cups, and other types of orthotics

medications to treat problems such as athlete’s foot, corns, warts, and calluses

creams and lotions, including blister relief and pedicure-type products, and other types of foot care tools