The signals of recovery arriving from the domestic and international markets for Brazilian footwear are confirmed by the results of the show, which saw the main sector players reunited from 15 to 18 January 2017 at the Expo Centre Norte in São Paulo, Brazil, for the presentation of the winter collections.  Traditionally considered the less dynamic season for the Brazilian market, it instead gave life to a lively event characterized by a high number of business negotiations, which featured not only domestic buyers as its protagonists, but also a growing number of foreign buyers:

At this edition, there was once again a strong turnout among foreign buyers – comments Francisco Santos, President and founder of Couromoda – Altogether, there were more than 2,000 buyers coming from the United Arab Emirates, the USA, Europe, Asia, and America, who made our event even more important.  This presence often resulted in the booking of orders, not only because of the Real/US$ exchange rate, which is still extremely favourable, but also and, above all, because of the quality of a production – that is to say Brazilian—which is always in line with the latest fashion trends, proposing the perfect quality/price ratio.

The exceptional turnout in buyers accordingly renewed confidence in the Brazilian industry, which in 2016 produced 940 million pairs, registering a sharp rise in exports, thanks also to the joint promotional activities of Couromoda and Abicalçados (the Brazilian trade association of reference):

We worked long and hard to promote Couromoda around the world and thus attract an important number of importers from Russia, the United Arab Emirates, the USA, England, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, India, Pakistan, Israel, Argentina, France, Italy, etc… All this is thanks, once again, to the collaboration with Abicalçados. – explains Jefferson Santos, Director of Couromoda – Although the predictions made were an improvement over last year’s, they were not by any means exceptional, and despite this, Couromoda underwent a bona fide recovery, both in terms of footwear production and distribution in Brazil, which has started to put its most difficult years behind it, thanks also to a more stable political situation, a lower inflation and tax rate, and resulting growth:  for 2017, around a 2% increase is estimated.

Completing the Couromoda offer was a rich program of events and fashion shows that were held for the first time inside the halls, giving life to bona fide mini-fashion shows, which were enthusiastically attended by buyers in search of inspiration for their purchases.  Moreover, the Shoe Factory staged by Couromoda in collaboration with 26 manufacturers, brought the promotional images conceived in the factories to the fair.  Finally, there were the seminars dedicated to sector issues and other moments for interaction, which were a hit among both visitors and Brazilian retailers alike.

Taking place in conjunction with Couromoda, was São Paulo Prêt à Porter, the garment and fashion accessory fair, which is now in its seventh edition.

The next edition of Couromoda will be held from 14 to 17 January 2018, once again at the São Paulo Expo Centre Norte.