The show, organised by Assocalzaturifici and Fairsystem (from the Bolognafiere group) will once again fill Rooms 2,3,4,5 and 6 of Hall 7 at the Moscow Expocentre, presenting the new collections for Fall/Winter 2019-20 proposed by around 130 Italian brands (making up 70% of the event) in an exhibition area of 3 thousand net square metres. The exhibition, which represents the most important show dedicated to mid to high-end and luxury footwear in Russia and which is fundamental to cementing relations with a central market for Italian footwear, once again expects 8 thousand professional visitors to attend over the four days of the fair, for a turnout that will be in line with the last edition held from 22-25 October 2018. Wholesalers, agents and distributors, store chains and boutiques will arrive from all the regions of the Russian Federation, as well as from Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Armenia to attend. The March edition will once again be enriched by the promotional initiatives that Assocalzaturifici realises in collaboration with the ICE Agency, the Italian Trade Promotion Agency in Moscow, with delegations of buyers, lounge and dining areas, ad campaigns, and gala evenings. Notwithstanding the drop in Italian imports and the sanctions that continue to penalise the Russian market, this area continues to be of central importance to Made in Italy footwear and the presence of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the last edition of the event is proof of this. Italian export numbers to Russia, which were presented during the press conference organised on 23 October, confirm that in 2017, more than 6 million pairs of Italian footwear for a total value of 379 million euros were exported to Russia, while more than 161 million euros in value (for a drop of -8%), were recorded during the first six months of 2018. In the entire CIS area, Italian exports were worth 483 million euros in 2017, and a further 212 million euros were registered during the first six months of 2018 (down -5.3%).

“During the first seven months of the year, the Russian Federation imported a value of over 850 thousand euros a day in Italian footwear and leather goods, thus underlining its position, which despite coming in only second to the Chinese product, is still in first place in the high-end range for its quality and manufacturing, with our competitors trailing far behind us – is what Pier Paolo Celeste, Director of the Moscow ICE Agency, confirmed on the occasion -. With the purchasing power of consumers on the rise, we expect a further improvement in sales”.

“Obuv mir Koži remains an essential event for our businesses: it is the ideal setting for best highlighting the quality, creativity, and research expressed by Italian companies – declared Annarita Pilotti, President of Assocalzaturifici –. Unfortunately, the persisting uncertainty surrounding its political dialogue with the European Union and the stagnation of the domestic market resulting from continuing problems tied into its currency; still serve as the backdrop to the economy in this area. In a climate further aggravated by the measures limiting access to Russian banks and financial capital, it is inevitable that our exports are significantly penalized. Fortunately, the Italian government is fully committed to resolving this by now persisting situation”.