The term upper refers to the part or parts of a shoe that cover the toes, the top of the foot, the sides of the foot, and the back of the heel. It is attached to the outsole of a shoe by the welt. It is one of the two general parts of the shoe, the upper and the sole. Depending on the style of the shoe, the upper of a shoe can be cut or molded as a single piece or it can be comprised of many pieces stitched together. Parts of a shoe's upper can include the vamp, the back, the tongue, the quarter, and the lining. Uppers can be made from a variety of materials, with the most popular being leather, satin, suede, and canvas. Athletic shoe uppers are often made of a breathable mesh fabric. Uppers for sandals and flip-flops may be simple straps.
Footwear industry in India is very optimistic right now with growing awareness about the latest trends and consciousness among consumers. India is the second largest footwear producer in the world, with footwear production accounting for approximately 9 per cent of the global annual production – 22 billion pairs as compared to China, which produces over 60 per cent of the global production.
The footwear market in India, like its international counterpart, has always been broadly classified into three segments, Men’s, Women’s and Kids. Men’s market is growing at a CAGR of 10 per cent. At present, men’s market contributes around 60 per cent of sales in the footwear segment as against women’s share of 30 per cent. The women’s segment, however, is growing at a much faster CAGR of 20 per cent.