Gezer Ayakkabı Aims to Export $35 Million to More Than 60 Countries
At the 2025 Export Champions Awards Ceremony, Gezer Shoes was awarded the platinum prize for “Champion of the Leather and Leather Goods Sector.” Gezer Shoes, one of Turkey’s leading footwear exporters, has unveiled its “Year of Leap” vision for 2026 in response to the contraction in global markets. As part of this initiative, the brand aims to increase its exports to $35 million.
According to data for 2025 released by the Ministry of Trade, exports of leather and leather goods across Turkey declined by 7.6 percent compared to the previous year, totaling $1.8 billion. The footwear category, which accounts for the largest share of the sector’s exports at 55.1 percent, fell by 13.2 percent from $1.161 billion to $1 billion. Thus, the decline in footwear exports was the primary driver of the sector-wide decline. Exports to Saudi Arabia fell by 60.1 percent, to the United Arab Emirates by 38.6 percent, and to India by 30.7 percent, while exports to Greece rose by 49.6 percent and to Portugal by 31.9 percent.
Despite this fragmented and downward-trending market outlook, Gezer Shoes maintained its leadership in exports thanks to its vision of “Flawless Supply Chain Management” and “High-Standard Quality,” which it has implemented in some of the world’s most challenging markets, such as Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Maintaining a market balance of 55 percent domestic and 45 percent international sales, the brand has become one of the leaders in the Middle East and Europe in the slippers, sandals, and boots categories, with an export volume of $34 million.
2026 target: Exports to more than 60 countries totaling $35 million
According to the announcement, Gezer Ayakkabı—which is preparing to take its long-standing leadership to the next level with concrete and measurable goals—has declared 2026 a “Year of Leap Forward” in the global market. As part of its strategic growth plan, the brand is focusing on two main objectives.
Geographic Expansion: More than 60 countries
The goal is to expand the global trade network—which currently spans more than 50 countries—to over 60 by the end of 2026. Gezer Ayakkabı, which plans to maintain its dominance in Europe and the Americas, will also implement “New Market Entry Strategies” in the African, Far Eastern, and Central Asian markets. As part of this effort, a “Special Collection Management” program—comprising more than 2,000 models tailored to local dynamics—will also be launched.
Economic growth: $35 million in exports
The company aims to increase its 2025 export revenue of $34 million to $35 million in 2026 through investments in the modernization and digitization of its production lines.
Value-added manufacturing and technological solutions
The company’s growth strategy is based not only on volume growth but also on “Premium Segment” products—which are high-tech and have high unit value—developed at its R&D center.
According to the statement, the company continues to be one of the region’s largest suppliers, applying its 58 years of expertise in PVC and PU technology to its slippers and sandals—which set the global standard for comfort—while also developing waterproof, thermally insulated, and antistatic boots and work boots designed to meet demanding industrial needs. The dynamic slipper collections with ultra-lightweight soles, produced using EVA and Airblow technologies, represent the brand’s innovative strength.
“We will continue to be the pride of Turkey”
In statements regarding the platinum award they received and their 2026 vision, Gezer Shoes management made the following remarks:
"This championship award presented by TİM is a testament to our 58 years of hard work and the dedication behind the 100 million pairs of footwear we produce each year. Amid this challenging global economic climate, in which our industry is experiencing a downturn, we have shifted our focus toward investment and innovation. We view 2026 as a period of significant growth. With our value-added premium product lines developed by our R&D center, we will increase our export volume to $35 million and showcase the quality and strength of Turkish manufacturing to more than 60 countries. By exporting not just products but quality standards, we will continue to be a source of pride for Turkey."
