NAICS 811430 Quarterly Industry Report
Footwear and Leather Goods Repair
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 811430Sector: Other Services (except Public Administration) (81)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Footwear and Leather Goods Repair (NAICS 811430) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[8], Bureau of Labor Statistics[9], and SBA size standards database[6]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, consumer service analysts, and specialty trade investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the footwear and leather goods repair industry.
NAICS Sector
81
Other Services (except Public Administration)
Industry Definition & Overview
Footwear and Leather Goods Repair (NAICS 811430) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in repairing footwear and other leather or leather-like goods without retailing new products per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Activities include shoe resoling and heel replacement, leather handbag and briefcase repair, luggage repair and hardware replacement, belt repair and sizing, leather jacket restoration, and orthopedic shoe modification services.
The traditional shoe repair trade has contracted steadily as declining footwear prices and fast-fashion buying patterns reduced consumer willingness to repair rather than replace shoes. Fewer than 2,000 establishments remain in operation nationwide, down from tens of thousands at the industry's mid-twentieth century peak. Surviving shops have adapted by expanding into luxury leather goods repair for designer handbags and accessories, orthopedic shoe modifications prescribed by podiatrists, and shoe care products retailing alongside core repair services. High-end cobbler shops in major metropolitan areas command premium pricing for heritage brand shoe restoration, Goodyear welt resoling, and luxury handbag reconditioning, serving customers who invest in quality footwear and leather goods worth maintaining. Independent owner-operators dominate the industry with minimal franchise presence, and the skilled trade faces a workforce shortage as retiring cobblers are not replaced at historical rates.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], the size standard is $9 million in average annual receipts. OSHA[7] general industry standards apply to leather cutting tools, adhesive and solvent ventilation, and machinery guarding for stitching and finishing equipment in cobbler workshops.
What's Included in This Industry
- Shoe resoling and heel replacement
- Leather handbag and purse repair
- Briefcase and portfolio repair
- Luggage repair and hardware replacement
- Leather jacket and garment repair
- Orthopedic shoe modification services
- Boot stretching and fitting adjustments
- Leather dyeing and color restoration
- Zipper replacement on leather goods
- Shoe shine and leather conditioning services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 81 |
| Subsector | Repair and Maintenance | 811 |
| Industry Group | Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | 8114 |
| NAICS Industry | Footwear and Leather Goods Repair | 81143 |
| National Industry | Footwear and Leather Goods Repair | 811430 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 316990 | Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing produces the leather goods, handbags, and accessories that repair shops service, with leather goods manufacturers providing replacement parts and hardware components that cobblers use when restoring designer and commercial leather products |
| 316210 | Footwear Manufacturing | Footwear Manufacturing produces the shoes and boots that generate repair demand, with high-quality Goodyear welted and Blake stitched footwear designed for resoling while cemented construction shoes are typically less economical to repair than replace |
| 423910 | Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers distributes leather care products and shoe supplies through wholesale channels, with wholesalers providing cobblers access to sole materials, adhesives, dyes, and hardware at trade pricing |
| 339992 | Musical Instrument Manufacturing | Musical Instrument Manufacturing shares craft skills with leather goods repair in areas such as leather case restoration, custom strap fabrication, and specialty hand-tooling techniques that both musical instrument craftspeople and leather artisans practice |
| 811490 | Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | Other Personal and Household Goods Repair includes miscellaneous repair services that overlap with leather goods repair when shops handle items such as leather-trimmed luggage, sports equipment, and accessories that require both leather work and general repair techniques |
| 811420 | Reupholstery and Furniture Repair | Reupholstery and Furniture Repair shares leather working skills with footwear repair shops that also handle leather furniture restoration, with both industries requiring expertise in leather cutting, stitching, dyeing, and conditioning techniques for different product applications |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 15.3% | 108 |
| 2 | California | 11.6% | 82 |
| 3 | Florida | 10.9% | 77 |
| 4 | Texas | 8.5% | 60 |
| 5 | Illinois | 4.5% | 32 |
| 6 | Georgia | 4.1% | 29 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 3.7% | 26 |
| 8 | Virginia | 3.3% | 23 |
| 9 | Ohio | 3.1% | 22 |
| 10 | Maryland | 3.0% | 21 |
% Of Establishments
0%
15%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
64
Total SBA Loans
$48.5M
Total Loan Volume
$757K
Average Loan Size
13 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.99%
Average Interest Rate
264
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], Footwear and Leather Goods Repair (NAICS 811430) has a size standard of $9 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[10] support equipment upgrades, leather inventory, and shop improvements for qualifying footwear and leather goods repair businesses. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[12] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas Capital Bank | 8 | $38.4M | $4.8M |
| 2 | The Huntington National Bank | 16 | $6.7M | $420K |
| 3 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 8 | $2.0M | $250K |
| 4 | Alerus Financial, National Association | 8 | $659K | $82K |
| 5 | TD Bank, National Association | 8 | $384K | $48K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for shoe repair?
NAICS 811430 covers footwear and leather goods repair, including shoe resoling, heel replacement, leather handbag repair, and luggage restoration per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
What is the SBA size standard?
Per the SBA size standard[6], the threshold is $9 million in average annual receipts for federal small business contracting eligibility and SBA lending products for footwear and leather goods repair firms.
How many shoe repair shops are left in the U.S.?
Per Census Bureau[8] economic data, fewer than 2,000 footwear and leather goods repair establishments remain in operation nationwide, reflecting decades of industry contraction as lower footwear prices reduced repair demand.
What types of shoes can be resoled?
Goodyear welted and Blake stitched construction shoes are designed for resoling, with the original sole removed and replaced without damaging the upper per Bureau of Labor Statistics[9] occupational descriptions for shoe repairers and custom shoemakers.
Do cobbler shops repair designer handbags?
Many cobbler shops have expanded into luxury leather goods repair for designer handbags and accessories, offering hardware replacement, leather reconditioning, stitching repair, and color restoration on high-value items from brands such as Louis Vuitton, Coach, and Hermes.
Is the shoe repair trade facing a labor shortage?
Retiring cobblers are not being replaced at historical rates, creating a skilled trade shortage as fewer young workers enter apprenticeship programs for footwear repair. Remaining shops increasingly serve premium market segments where repair pricing supports sustainable business operations.
What equipment do shoe repair shops use?
Core equipment includes industrial sewing machines, sole stitching machines, heel nailing equipment, leather skiving tools, buffing and finishing wheels, and sole press machines per SBA[13] startup cost guidance for small business equipment planning.
Can orthopedic shoe modifications be done at repair shops?
Many cobbler shops perform orthopedic modifications prescribed by podiatrists, including heel lifts, sole wedges, rocker bottoms, and custom stretching to accommodate foot conditions, providing an additional revenue stream beyond standard cosmetic and structural footwear repair.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [7]OSHA osha.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [9]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
- [13]SBA sba.gov
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