More incentives to combat negativities in foreign trade. This is what the shoe industry is doing, as can be seen from the participation in internationalization activities carried out last year. And this A total of 353 companies participated in the plan coordinated by the Federation of the Footwear Industry (FICE) for this purpose.This figure represents an increase of 17% compared to the previous year, against a backdrop where national exports fell by 1.5% in the year to October.
According to Rosana Perán, president of FICE and the European Footwear Confederation, the participation data in the promotion plan “shows that our companies continue their determination to internationalize, although a slowdown in the sector is expected by 2024. This 17 percent growth is a very good figure, but unfortunately it is the same as in 2019 before the pandemic.” “We are 28 percent below.” And he insists on calling it “positive” that, despite the current geopolitical situation, the rise in inflation and the decline in consumption, shoe companies continue to participate in international shoe fairs, which, in his opinion, “is an example of the resilience of the sector.”
Perán announced that after both value (3,058 million euros) and double (159 million) export figures were at record levels in 2022, there was a decrease in the sector’s sales in 2023. “We export fewer pairs this year compared to 2022This reflects the slowdown that occurred in the second half of 2023 and will worsen in 2024,” predicts the FICE chief.
As FICE Marketing Director Imanol Martínez noted, “According to the latest available data, footwear exports corresponding to the first nine months of the year reached 2,506.5 million euros and 122.8 million pairs. It reflects an 8.2% increase in value and a 1.5% decrease in pairs compared to the same period in 2022”.
Perán underlined that ICEX’s support to the sector is 480 thousand euros within the framework of the shoe 2023 sectoral plan signed between both organizations. The plan was 100% implemented and a total of 250 companies benefited from this assistance.
“It should also be added that a dozen companies also participated in the fair. Global project through InnovationA project coordinated by FICE that started in 2020 and ends in 2023. 600,000 euros have been invested in projects to improve innovation and digitalisation, 50% of which has been covered by ICEX,” noted FICE president.
The employers’ association also emphasizes that within the framework of the ICEX Brexit Programme, which aims to support Spanish export companies, it aims to compensate for the unexpected costs of positioning, consolidation and implementation that they had to bear as a result of the withdrawal of the agreement. From the European Union, the Kingdom of the United Kingdom obtained a total of 340,000 euros from the shoe industry.
Major international events
Italy is the second buyer country of Spanish shoes and hosts the two most important fairs of the sector internationally. For this reason, FICE coordinated the participation of 161 companies in two editions of the Micam fair in MilanThe biggest showcase of the industry. In comparison, 86 exhibitors attended the two Expo Riva Schuh calls in Riva del Garda, the most important fair for bulky footwear.
On the other hand, nearly 70 participants attended the double event. Shoes Düsseldorf, GermanyThe third purchasing market for Spanish shoes. This fair has become a must-see event for brands selling in Germany.
The United States is the first market outside the European Union and a strategic market for the federation. The industry plan supports the Coterie & Magic NY fair, which is the most important fashion event on the east coast of this country, with a total of 20 companies participating.
Finally, the UK market is a priority for the sector due to the sharp decline in exports due to Brexit. Companies participating in any fashion event in this country are supported to support their recovery. A total of 20 companies benefited.
Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade, in full cooperation with FICE, Spain Shoes showroom in Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney throughout JulyWith the participation of more than 30 companies in total
Additionally, ICEX 100% coordinated and financed it. two Spanish shoe ads. On the occasion of the participation of Spanish companies in the August edition of the Shoes Dússeldorf fair, in which 36 brands participated, in the German professional magazine Schuhkurier. The second one took place in the United States’ Footwear News magazine with the participation of 24 brands exporting to this country.
Finally, it is worth adding that shoe companies also benefit from other ICEX assistance programs, such as the program that supports annual subscriptions to the B2B fashion platform JOOR or the program that supports promotional campaigns on Zalando (B2C).