Ticul shoes, Yucatán: art and design at your feet

Ticul shoes? 85 kilometres from Mérida sits Ticul, a small town famous for its shoe factories and other gems.

Between Muna and Oxkutzcab, Ticul is a good place to know if you’re thinking of investing in Yucatán. Its shoe factories are highly regarded for their handmade craftsmanship and excellent quality.

It is ideal for doing business in Yucatán, as it sits on the “Ruta Puuc”, which makes it the perfect town to invest in or to explore the surrounding archaeological sites, cenotes and haciendas.

Ticul shoes: investing in Yucatán

The opportunities to do business in Yucatán are many and varied. In recent years, Ticul’s shoe factories have gained fame, making this town the capital of Yucatecan footwear.

With more than 50 years of experience, these family businesses have diversified their output according to the market’s needs and evolution. Today they make footwear for the whole family with top-quality materials, following fashion trends.

Ticul’s shoe production comes from about 50 workshops in the town. A little over 400,000 pairs are made each year, generating — according to INEGI — more than 2,000 direct jobs.

Ticul has great potential for investment in footwear and hopes to expand sales to other states. Many manufacturers have taken their products to nearby cities and taken part in fairs, including those held in Mérida.

December: make the most of the Ticul shoe fair

A good way to see what is made in Ticul is to visit its December fair.

If your business idea in Yucatán involves fashion, make the most of this fair. From bags to clothing and, of course, footwear, at that time all the local factories gather in Ticul’s main square offering the best seasonal prices.

With dozens of exhibitors and organised by the Ticul Chamber of Commerce, you can buy boots, heels, sandals and all kinds of footwear for men, women and children.

The footwear industry in Mexico

Mexico’s footwear industry has seen positive trends. In recent years, competitiveness, productivity and international designs have driven footwear exports and created year-on-year growth strategies for the internationalisation of Mexican footwear.

Buyer confidence has improved international trade dynamics, especially in the United States, the main importer of Mexican-made footwear.

Central and South America have also shown interest in Mexican footwear. Still, industry bodies say the main challenge is to improve and ease supply and demand for the international market, offering an effective solution for buyers seeking a balance between volume, speed, creative identity and quality.

Pottery, another business to invest in

Finally, if it’s about doing business in Yucatán, another well-known trade in Ticul is pottery. The town’s pottery goes back many decades and is a family trade passed from generation to generation.

There are old workshops of great tradition that make a variety of pieces — from pots to vases, statues or fountains. Ticul potters’ products are sold in various states and cities such as Cancún, Tabasco, Chiapas, Tulum and Cozumel.

We’ve mentioned two options for investing in Yucatán: Ticul shoes and its pottery. What are you waiting for to start?

We recommend: Mérida, the business capital of southeastern Mexico.