Did you hear about the recent release of “Jesus Shoes” that sold out within one minute? The shoe, which contained Holy Water, became an instant viral sensation. It was later put up for re-sale at a whopping $4,000.
Shoes serve an important function by protecting our feet. They come in all shapes and sizes. But, how much does it cost to make a shoe? How could a shoe get valued at $4,000? Read on to get all the answers.
How Much Does it Cost to Make a Shoe?
What’s in a shoe? On the surface, it seems pretty simple. You only need some string, rubber, and fabric, right?
Not so fast! There’s so much more that goes into shoe production. Here’s an overview of the typical shoemaking process:
- A shoe company establishes its target audience
- The company hires a designer
- The designer produces a new shoe idea
- The shoe company sends the design to a manufacturer
- The manufacturer collects the raw supplies
- Laborers manufacture the shoe
- The shoe is distributed to the company
- The company ships the product to a retailer
- The retailer sells the shoe
There are costs every step of the way. First, you’ll need to pay someone to design a killer shoe. Then, you’ll need to figure out the cost of raw materials. Next, factor in the labor costs to manufacture the final shoe product.
It doesn’t end there, either. The shoes often get shipped to the shoe company, who has even more costs to cover. Shoe companies need to consider these costs:
- Research and development
- Sales and distribution costs
- Promotion and advertising
Finally, the shoe gets transferred to the retailer who sells the product to the customer. The retailer wants to make a profit, too, to cover their costs.
The Cost of Production Versus Branding
You’ll often hear customers question the price they’re paying for shoes. Many wonder why there’s such a disparity between the cost of raw materials and the final product.
When you take into account all the factors that go into shoe production, the answer becomes clear. It’s deceptive to think a quality product should have a minimal cost.
As the old adage goes, you get what you pay for.
There’s a huge quality difference between shoes from Fendi and generic off-brand ones. Fendi and other high-quality shoemakers use more expensive and longer-lasting material.
They pay higher costs for labor, which often means more fair working conditions. They also pay more for better designers and manufacturers.
The Price We Pay For Comfy and Cool Feet
So, how much does it cost to make a shoe?
When we look at only the cost of materials and labor, it’s not much. But, when you factor in famous brands and labels, the price increases.
Keep these facts in mind the next time you buy shoes for fashion, recreation, or sport. Are you looking for more great tips on staying healthy and happy? Be sure to check out our sports and outdoors section for more of our latest content.
