A satisfying, yet unexciting, outcome: Obuv stood by the low figures forecasted on the eve of the event, while confirming its hold on the Russian and CIS markets. Among the 150 Italian exhibitors, the overall feeling was that of an edition full of highs and lows, with Russian buyers giving the priority to low prices. Nevertheless, the most prestigious boutiques continued to show interest in the high-end range: “In this way, a gap was created between clients… was the comment of Arturo Venanzi, Coordinator of the Assocalzaturifici Russian and CIS Laboratory, which organises the event together with BolognaFiere Fairsystem – This trend, along with the devaluation of the rouble and the persisting political problems, with further complications arriving from the imminent elections, contributed to reducing the market share of Italian companies. In any case, the overall results of the event were satisfying and Obuv confirmed itself to be an essential fair for the Russian and CIS markets”. Notwithstanding the continuation of significant problems on the Russian market, the fair maintained a stable position.

Brand new at this edition was the debut of an area featuring around 15 Italian new entries, who were brought to the fair thanks to the Progetto Piano Export Sud II project promoted by the ICE Agency, with the aim of encouraging these companies to verify first-hand the business opportunities offered up by the fair. The initiative, which aims to promote opportunities for exports to the Russian and CIS areas, will also be present at the next edition.

The next edition of Obuv will be held from 22 to 25 October 2018 once again at the Moscow Expocentre.