Recovery and exports: the Spanish footwear sector shines at Milan’s fair
The Milan shoe fair runs through this Wednesday, and the mood among the industry is upbeat. Sector forecasts point to record export figures for shoes from Spain, with expectations nearing 1,500 million euros. In the Valencian Community, the sector shows strength as well, after Alicante’s footwear exports reached 1,300 million euros in 2022, according to Rosana Perán, head of the Federation of Spanish Footwear Industries. The overall climate is favorable across markets, with strong demand in the United States and several Asian countries, alongside solid European performance. The fair’s atmosphere is lively and multi-faceted, underscoring a dynamic balance between signs of growth and emerging challenges, such as Germany’s slowing demand. During a Monday visit to the fair, the President of the Valencian Government pledged ongoing support for the footwear industry, with a clear focus on internationalization and tariff-reducing trade agreements.
At the Italian showcase, one hundred Spanish companies participate, including 43 from the United States and 33 from Elche, among 998 brands from around the world. The exhibitors are presenting their autumn-winter collections for the 2023-2024 season. This marks the first fair since travel restrictions eased in China, making the event the first to return to normal conditions after the pandemic’s disruptions.
By day two, business sentiment remained robust. Perán suggested that expectations were surpassed and that demand from Asia could continue to grow. The statements were made during a visit by the Consell President, together with the Minister of Economy and regional leaders, as part of a broader discussion about the sector’s outlook and international markets.
The main drawback discussed by Rosana Perán and industry leaders from Valencian companies, including Marian Cano, concerns orders from Germany. The business community notes that orders are not advancing as quickly as hoped, a situation amplified by the energy crisis and its impact on consumer spending. Antonio Porta, president of the Unisa and Inescop group, shared similar reflections during the fair, which also aligns with the positive momentum in foreign markets and a predicted 20% decline in shipments to Germany in the coming months.
Beyond Germany, Perán expressed optimism about the fair’s progress, noting that expectations across all countries have been exceeded. Marian Cano highlighted the positive performance observed in Asian markets, reinforcing confidence in the sector’s global reach.
Footwear exports reach historic highs
Ximo Puig, while highlighting the sector’s resilience, emphasized ongoing efforts to keep the industry strong. He stressed achievements in innovation, technical education, training, and internationalization as key drivers of growth. Puig called for continued collaboration to expand free trade agreements, boost innovation, and connect young talent with the footwear sector through initiatives like the Learning Factory planned for Elche.
Regarding internationalization, the regional government pointed to ongoing cooperation with other administrations and industry groups to keep the export trajectory highly competitive. The focus remains on maintaining momentum in key markets while addressing pending issues related to training and industry infrastructure.
Platform opportunities, boots and seasonal highlights dominated the discussions as the fall-winter 2023-2024 collections took center stage. Rosana Perán announced a renewed emphasis on rugged, cowboy-inspired boots and loafers, with color palettes leaning toward light tones, earth hues, and tile-inspired finishes. The fair showcased deeper platforms as the range evolved, while Alicante’s footwear continued to be praised for its strong quality-to-price ratio.