Futurmoda, the footwear components trade show, regained momentum in its latest edition, closing this Thursday with results that surpassed early expectations. The Alicante Trade Fair Authority (IFA) competition helped confirm a robust return of buyers from traditional markets after the pandemic. Attendees from Italy, Portugal and North Africa chose Futurmoda over Milan’s Lineapelle, the long-standing international fair, underscoring a broader trend: professional visitors from 40 countries were present alongside strong national participation.
The 48th Futurmoda fair concluded with a healthy balance and numbers close to pre-pandemic levels for both exhibitors and visitors. Based on information from the organizers, while exact figures are not published, it is estimated that around 5,000 people visited the 410 participating companies across 325 stands.
The event director, Álvaro Sánchez, notes that the recent fairs still carry the aftereffects of the health crisis, but the mood now is one of strong revival. The two days buzzed with activity. Satisfaction emerged as the defining takeaway for participants.
One notable outcome is the solid presence of international buyers, who have reemerged with greater strength as travel restrictions eased and flight schedules normalized. This environment enabled companies to connect directly with key markets such as Italy, Portugal, Algeria and Morocco.
Beyond these markets, Sánchez highlights the participation of buyers from various EU countries, the United Kingdom and even the United States, along with those from traditional markets. They chose Futurmoda over Lineapelle, the Milan fair long regarded as the principal international forum for shoe components. “Futurmoda steals visitors from Lineapelle,” the director explains, adding that attendees can meet the exact participants they want and optimize their time, given the fair’s scale and focus.
Sánchez emphasizes that Futurmoda prioritizes the quality of buyers over sheer volume. The aim is to foster lasting business relationships rather than quick visits.
Manuel Román, president of the Spanish Association of Shoe Component Companies (AEC), echoed the sentiment, saying the fair went very well and that the atmosphere and figures were akin to pre-pandemic levels. He pointed to strong participation from foreign customers while noting the rising importance of national buyers as well.
During the pandemic’s hardest moments, Román recalls, customers stopped greeting and visiting. Today, the situation has shifted: there is genuine interest in maintaining contact and expanding collaborations.
All of this created an atmosphere of cautious optimism among attendees, even as uncertainty looms from inflation and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The risk of a sudden drop in consumption remains real, yet the fair left participants with positive momentum and a confident outlook.
Francisco Rodríguez, director of Synthelast, confirmed a strong level of activity and overall satisfaction with the results. He also acknowledged concern about upcoming months: sustained inflation could pressure consumers and alter purchasing decisions for certain products.
Industry insiders expect similarly mixed signals when the next issue hits, with potential returns from machinery suppliers and new developments in manufacturing equipment. Román notes that this phase marks a return to focus on machinery as innovations emerge, and the pace of attendance from that sector is set to pick up as the market stabilizes after the disruption caused by the pandemic.
Overall, the event reinforced a sense of resilience in the footwear components sector. It demonstrated that, even in a challenging macro environment, direct interactions at a focused trade show can translate into meaningful business, stronger networks, and renewed confidence among producers, buyers and suppliers alike.