Leather business reports are a mixed bag depending on the sector. In the shoe sector, leather sales are still low due to a limited number of buyers and the increased use of synthetics. Within the footwear industry, leather sales vary depending on targeted markets with top-end shoe leathers doing okay; however, sales into the mid- to low-end lines remain depressed. The automotive sector is slowly recovering from the economic downturn, but the leather interest for newer models remain limited. As for furniture upholstery leather, buyers at tanneries in China are reporting a pickup in activity. This gives indication that the upholstery leather demand is active, despite the drop off of retail furniture sales in the US.