Footwear has been one of the sectors most affected by the severe effects of the epidemic, but its progress could not be stopped as it managed to return to the figures before the health crisis at the beginning of last year. But what started to go wrong earlier this year turned into the fact that in the second quarter Alicante’s exports fell 9% to 27.2m euros compared to the same period in 2022. Behind this decline, the decline in consumption due to inflation is hidden, and companies do not hide their concerns. According to this scenario, the industry is going to the Düsseldorf fair next week to examine the German market, which is one of the most falling markets.
The main export sector in the province of Alicante is currently going through a sensitive period and we are seeing a complete slowdown in foreign sales during this period. January started with the same dynamics as the previous year, with 27% growth, but since then there has been a slowdown, resulting in a setback.
Although the balance in the overall calculation for the first half was still positive (672m euros were issued compared to 666 euros the previous year), it was the shift in the last three months that was worrying.It was 274 million euros, a 9 percent decrease compared to the 301 achieved in the same period of 2022.
This situation is a dynamic that affects the industry in general, and it is also seen in the activity indices of all sectors in the province, which decreased by 4.6% compared to the previous year. However, the shoe that feels the impact the most is something closely related to the production of fashion products.
Marián Cano, president of the Valencian Association of Shoe Entrepreneurs (Avecal), said: “In a scenario where inflation, as we live, is marked, it was only a matter of time before it made an impact on non-essential itemslike the fashion ones. As the disposable income of families decreased, they had to prioritize their shopping.
In addition, with the arrival of summer, people decided to go on vacation. «Entertainment and travel featuredCano emphasizes that this was also noticed by companies that could not meet the demand they had in this period last year, when the market exhibited an extraordinary behavior after the worst moments of the health crisis.
Another factor that negatively affects commercial activity is the excess stock in distribution.this, as expected, makes it difficult to have room for new shoe models.
At the national level, the industry situation is slightly better than the state, but dark clouds are also appearing on the horizon. This is also acknowledged by Imanol Martínez, head of internationalization of the Spanish Footwear Industry Federation (FICE), noting that exports in the first half were close to 1,640 million euros, after an increase of 14.4% compared to the same period in 2022. Therefore, these are record numbers but based on price increases and “Notes that there is a slowdown in growth”».
Rafael Bernabeu, general manager of J’hayber company, shares that some of the increase in exports in 2022 is due to price increases and acknowledges that we are witnessing a “cooling of the economy”. always creates uncertainty.
Dusseldorf
In this content, the sector will take place at the Shoes Düsseldorf fair between 27-29 AugustFirst of all, there will be good research on the German market, which presents a more alarming situation at the moment. In fact, Germany is the third largest buyer of Spanish footwear after France and Italy, representing 10% of foreign sales by value. But, One of the worst-behaved markets in the first months of the yearin doubles, with a 16 percent decrease and a 5 percent increase in value.
As Marián Cano explains, “We are interested in knowing the reality of what is going on both in Germany and in the markets closest to this country, where a noticeable drop in consumption is evident. But that’s exactly why it’s time to be there and support our customers, some of whom aren’t having a great time.
In this sense, the following is underlined from the industry: Shoes Düsseldorf has proven itself as Germany’s most important shoe fair and is an unmissable event for brands.. The meeting has a regional character as it covers both the host country and some neighboring markets such as the Netherlands, Belgium or Switzerland.
As the name suggests, it is held in Düsseldorf, the capital of German fashion, due to its numerous permanent fashion and shoe showrooms. The event will take place in the Areal Böhler industrial complex with a contemporary and up-to-date atmosphere.
“Dusseldorf shoes have become a necessity for Spanish companies selling in Germany or looking to expand their customer base,” explains Imanol Martínez. “Despite weak sales in this country in the first months of the year, Firms continue to bet in this market and not only decrease their participation in fairs, they increase it.».
According to the data provided by the competition organization, Shoes Düsseldorf usually receives around 6,000 visitorsAmong them are the Germans, who make up 75% of the majority, and most retailers.
The event is included in the 2023 Overseas Promotion Plan and is held with the support of ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones. FICE coordinates the promotion and communication campaign of Spanish shoes at the fair, organizes various actions to increase the visibility of Spanish exhibitors, and updates the image of the Shoes from Spain campaign to ensure dynamism and consistency with fashion trends in the footwear industry.
From next Sunday, 28 brands from the province of Alicante will be present at the Shoes Düsseldorf fair, which will constitute the largest delegation of 70 companies from all Spain confirming their participation. These are Ann Kurz Bags, Belang, Bertuchi, Cetti, Chie Miara, Confetti Shoes, D. Franklin, Flamingo’s Life, Genuins, Gioseppo, Hispanitas, Hoff, Igor, KMB and Lodi. Lola Cruz, Marian, Paloma Barceló, Weekend, Plakton, Popa Brand, Ras, Toral, Unisa, Verbenas, Wikers, Wonders, Yokono and Zinda are also participating.
Along with these, there are three participants from the province of Valencia, six from Catalonia, five from the Balearic Islands and La Rioja respectively, four from Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid, and one from Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias and Murcia.