Moderate optimism guides the mood among the 49 Alicante-based footwear companies at Micam Milan, the premier shoe fair in Europe. Despite the sector facing a challenging period and a dip in exports, the overall atmosphere is upbeat. Buyers are noticeably present at the various stands, signaling a steady flow of interest and activity throughout the event.
Marian Cano, the executive president of the Valencian Association of Footwear Entrepreneurs (Avecal), who travelled to Milan with Rosana Perán, the head of the Spanish Footwear Industries Federation (Fice), notes that initial worries have given way to more positive impressions. She explains that companies arrived to the fair with concerns about the difficult moment the industry is navigating, yet the enthusiasm with which they display next year’s collections is commendable. The environment feels hopeful and the work pace remains strong.
Cano emphasizes the significance of this event for the footwear industry and the value of being visible to support producers and manufacturers from the Valencian community and, more broadly, the province of Alicante. She describes the fair as a crucial showcase, the benchmark event in the sector, a beacon for an industry that has long pursued international markets. As a business group, Avecal positions itself to listen to the concerns and feedback of participating companies, looking to understand their views on the fair and identify ways to strengthen the presence of Valencian firms in Milan.
She further notes that footwear has consistently pushed to expand abroad in recent years, a push that has helped the sector become the leading export industry for Alicante. She stresses that nearly one in every four euros exported from the province comes from shoes, underscoring the strategic role of the footwear industry in the regional economy.
In addition, Cano underlines the strong global positioning of Spanish footwear. She attributes this standing to the consistent value offered by Spanish firms, highlighting what the market knows as a combination of quality, design and service. This reputation, she says, travels well and is appreciated on international shelves and in purchasing decisions across continents.
The sector remains vocal about the need for fiscal and labor stability in light of new government measures under discussion. Businesses express concern over how potential policy shifts could impact the industry, signaling a desire for predictability and support from authorities as firms plan for the coming years. The collective voice from Alicante echoes a wider call for policy clarity that can help the sector maintain momentum and continue its outward growth while preserving competitiveness for Valencian and national manufacturers.