A total of one hundred Spanish exhibitors, including forty-nine from Alicante, participate in the 97th edition of the Micam fair, taking place from February 18 to 21 at the Milano-Rho exhibition center in Milan. The sector arrives at a moment of market contraction, with exports retreating and firms facing a delicate situation due to international uncertainty.
The participating companies will unveil their autumn-winter 2024-25 collections under the umbrella of the Federation of Footwear Industries of Spain (FICE). It is the same number of companies as at the previous year’s event and 8 percent fewer than at the last summer edition.
“This is the most important trade fair for the footwear sector, and it is encouraging that, despite the sector’s fragile situation, many firms are presenting their new lines in Milan,” stated Rosana Perán, president of FICE. She added that “the difficult economic context, influenced by rising inflation, international geopolitical tensions, and higher labor costs, has pushed companies to the edge. Yet the strong turnout in Milan reflects the sector’s resilience and its commitment to internationalization.”
This activity is included in the Exterior Promotion Plan 2024, with backing from Icex España Exportación e Inversiones. Autonomous communities also support their firms with tailored promotion initiatives.
As explained by Imanol Martínez, the marketing director of FICE, the upcoming Milan edition features nearly 900 brands, with about half of them international. They will showcase new lines across six pavilions under five concepts: Contemporary, Premium, Everyday, Emerging Designers, and Accessories for Shops.
Micam runs concurrently with Mipel, the handbags and leather goods fair; The One Milano, dedicated to the garment sector; and Milano Fashion & Jewels, a jewelry and costume jewelry fair. Additionally, Lineapelle, the international fair for leather and components for footwear, opens from the 20th to the 22nd. Together, these events bring together a total of 3,000 brands.
“Spain ranks as the second country in terms of exhibitor numbers. This high participation underscores the Spanish footwear sector’s clear drive toward internationalization and highlights Micam as a key reference event in its expansion strategies. The industry is leaning into design, quality, sustainability, and innovation,” explains Rosana Perán.
During the last September edition, Micam Milano, MIPEL, The One Milano, and Milano Fashion & Jewels recorded 42,273 visitors, up 21 percent from September of the previous year but down 12 percent from the February 2023 edition.
Latest export data
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Spanish footwear exports in the first eleven months of 2023 reached 3,010.8 million euros and 146.2 million pairs, with a 6.4 percent increase in value and a 1.2 percent decrease in volume compared with the same period in 2022. Compared with the same period in 2019, before the pandemic, exports are at the same volume but about 20 percent higher in value, according to Imanol Martínez. However, Alicante province shows a more challenging picture, with foreign sales declining by around 8 percent in value year over year.
Italy stands as the second-largest buyer of Spanish footwear, accounting for 15.4 percent of total exports. From January to November 2023, exports to Italy reached €462.5 million and 23.3 million pairs, with a 22.3 percent increase in value and a 12.5 percent rise in volume compared with 2022. Compared with the same period in 2019 (pre-COVID), exports to Italy are higher by 44.7 percent in value and 24 percent in volume.