This 89th shop window on internationalism of Expo Riva Schuh has closed, having attracted over 13,000 visitors from 102 nations to Riva del Garda, visitors who came to see the Autumn/Winter innovations for 2018-2019 and the seasonal refreshments offered by 1,455 exhibitors from 37 countries. Amongst new entries were also companies from Bulgaria and Paraguay, who joined the traditional and enhanced Indian, Chinese and Brazilian associations.
“Expo Riva Schuh confirmed itself as the show in this sector with the highest level of internationalism in Europe” – commented the President of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, Roberto Pellegrini – “The exhibitors expressed great satisfaction at the quality of the buyers they met with here at Riva del Garda, which confirms the high level of our exhibition offer. Bringing in well informed visitors means offering the companies solid business opportunities which, thereby, gives a very strong incentive to continue exhibiting at Expo Riva Schuh”.
In this vein, it is also important to underline inbound initiative achieved with the support of Ice-Agenzia, which brought to the fair delegations of buyers from 11 countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Rumania, Russia, Serbia, Hungary, Croatia and the Ukraine). The involvement of companies from Northern Europe is the fruit of activities allied with Expo Riva Schuh Around the World which, in October 2017, saw the creation of a promotional workshop in Stockholm. Expo Riva Schuh Around the World does not end there, and has important appointments for 2018 which will firm up at the beginning of the second quarter of the year
To inaugurate this 89th edition was the talk show, hosted by the clothing and fashion journalist of L7, Cinzia Malvini, who introduced the participation of the organizers Giovanni Laezza, Roberto Pellegrini and Carla Costa to the audience, as well as the Director General of APICCAPS (the Portuguese Association of footwear, components and leather goods manufacturers), João Maia. Maia specifically presented the data emerging from the World Footwear Yearbook – authoritative publication produced by the Association – from which important indications on the main worldwide footwear players emerged. The United States market for example, remains as one of the main concentrations of footwear consumption at a worldwide level but is in a phase of profound change, with Chinese footwear which, up to 7 years ago, represented 75% of imports and which today seems to have lost ground, being at only 15%. Indeed, China has seen a progressive increase in the average price of its shoes and this has prompted the reflex action of a shift in production towards other Asian countries, amongst which Vietnam. At the same time, that very China is undergoing an interesting phenomenon of growth in internal consumption due to an increase in average income with, at the same time, interesting prospects of growth for European countries with their medium to high level production.
Market developments run parallel with the ever more rapid changes which affect the world of fashion, and the same consumer who appears ever more evolved and digital. Speed becomes an important element of success and the brands are always less interested in companies who impose large levels of purchasing, favouring rather more flexible producers, able to offer small quantities in shorter times, opening another possible key to success, in particular for European and Italian companies.
Even with these new market and consumer requirements, this edition of Expo Riva Schuh has demonstrated how the Fair is able to anticipate and straddle trends and changes. Indeed, as Giovanni Laezza, Director General of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi underlined: “As a strategy and positioning, Expo Riva Schuh is perfect for the requirements of fast fashion, because for some time now we have knocked down the barriers between the seasons. The strategies of mixed purchases are ever more asserted, in which large orders are integrated with smaller and repeated production levels. Furthermore, companies have increased their offer of goods to be able to maintain their market shares, continuing to orient themselves more towards a total look proposal. Our Fair, therefore, is changing, just as the market is changing; the recipe for success on the other hand, is that of responding to the new requirements without ever changing one’s DNA”.
Having archived this edition, Expo Riva Schuh is looking forwards to next June when the 90th cutting of the ribbon will be celebrated and the new and important “Gardabags” initiative will be inaugurated, a firm response to the requirement for total look solutions.
“The Garda Fierecongressi project was born of a specific market requirement” stresses Carla Costa, manager of the Fair Area at Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, “Indeed, in Europe at this time, no event exists dedicated to accessories for the average sector and our project will precisely fill this gap. Our Expo Riva Schuh visitor analysis has observed that some 20% of buyers coming to Riva del Garda also bought handbags. With Gardabags we want to provide for the requirements of these people, but also those of other buyers, with a specialized proposal which blends Asiatic production with Italian, Spanish and French products. I would be pleased if Gardabags would also become a space for the young designer and for artisan production”.
A welcome awaits you therefore at Riva del Garda, from the 16th to the 19th of June 2018, with Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags!
