Elche leads the Spanish shoe delegation at the Garda fair in 2014, showcasing a strong cluster of 18 companies. A total of 50 Spanish firms participated, with Alicante contributing 31. The inaugural international assignment yielded encouraging data for the sector, with footwear exports reaching 2.581 billion euros in the first ten months of 2022, up 22.4 percent year over year and 12 percent higher than the pre-pandemic level of 2019. This momentum is a signal of resilience for the industry, as reported by FICE.
Compared to the same period in 2021, exports grew across most major markets. The only gaps occurred in China, Japan, Denmark, South Korea, and Australia. In contrast, more than 30 percent growth was registered in the United States, Poland, Turkey, Greece, Canada, Ireland, and Austria, highlighting the breadth of the recovery in key regions.
An image from Italy competition Jacopo Salvi – fpro.it
middle class
The 98th edition of Expo Riva Schuh will be held in Riva del Garda, Italy, from January 14 to 17, 2023, alongside the 9th Garda Bags event, focusing on mid-range footwear.
Representatives of a shoe company in an image from FICE Jacopo Salvi – fpro.it
new collections
New winter 23/24 shoe collections will be unveiled. This preview allows visitors to plan offers and orders in advance. For exhibitors it marks a first opportunity to test new lines and adjust production plans.
Exports rose across all major markets except China, Japan, Denmark, South Korea, and Australia. Growth exceeded 30 percent in the United States, Poland, Turkey, Greece, Canada, Ireland, and Austria.
The event will also serve as the final calendar moment for the summer 23 orders, with pronto-fashion, innovations, and restocking collections on display. About a thousand participants will attend, both in person and virtually, from more than 30 countries including Italy, India, China, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and Germany.
Visitor
The last edition drew more than 8,000 visitors from 103 countries, with international attendees representing 66 percent. The largest contingents came from Italy (34 percent), Germany (10 percent), France (6 percent), Spain (5 percent), and the United Kingdom (4.5 percent).
Footwear and agri-food exports maintain their pulse, while metal and textiles decline
The rise in the number of Spanish exhibitors at physical b2b events is noted by Imanol Martínez, managing director of FICE Servicios. The fair is embracing hybrid formats, running alongside a digital platform to extend reach and engagement.