$'s drop pares French imports.

$'s drop pares French imports PARIS (FNS) -- The falling dollar is putting the squeeze on sales of French shoes to the U.S., manufacturers said during last week's MIDEC show, here. But some high-end, fashion-forward brands are still seeing sales increases in America, explaining luxury products are often the last affected by currency fluctuations.

The flips side of the dollar's decline, however, means American-made shoes are becoming more attractive to European consumers. And sales representatives of at least one U.S. manufacturer at MIDEC, Dexter USA, Dexter, Me., were busy and smiling during the three-day event, as European retailers streamed into their booth to write orders. "The American shoe is back," beamed one Dexter officials, who said the company expects to double its sales in France this year …