A boy is 12 years old.

He lives near Chicago.

He wanted Nike Minds shoes.

These shoes say they help you think better.

He and his mother looked online for a lower price.

They did not find one.

They bought the last pair in his size.

The price was $145.

The boy paid $40 of his own money.

Shoe prices went up 3.2% in the first half of the year.

This year, prices may go up the most in 34 years.

That is true except for the pandemic years.

A shoe trade group said this.

Parents say shoes are worse now.

But prices are higher.

One mother said she is angry.

She must buy new shoes before children grow.

The old shoes break too fast.

Kids feel pressure to wear the right brands.

A trend analyst said this.

Shoes show if you fit in, she said.

Wrong shoes or old shoes can cause bullying.

One student said this.

A school leader said she saw students fix shoes with tape.

People buy fewer shoes.

Adult shoe sales went down 7% from January to June.

Children's shoe sales went down 9%.

A market research company said this.

Stores offer deals for school.

Used shoe stores see more interest.

One food worker said she makes about $700 a week.

She cannot buy new shoes for her daughter.

Her rent is $2,200 a month.