The 84th edition of Expo Riva Schuh closed with 11,366 visitors, up 5.5% on the June 2014 edition. The event is stronger than ever as the point of reference for the world’s footwear sector, thanks to its early date in the international fair calendar and its ability to attract exhibiting companies from over 40 countries and visitors from more than 100 nations.
“Expo Riva Schuh brings together producers, distributors, agents and various elements of the supply chain - explains the chairman of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, Roberto Pellegrini. It’s more than just a fair where buyers and seller with distinct roles get together. Ours is a platform of services which create the ideal meeting environment within a complex system, where frequently those who are clients of one company are suppliers of another. In a year, this event brings in an income of 20 million to the local area and for many local businesses in the hospitality and artisan sectors, represents an important chance, given the elevated spending power of our fair guests.
The seminar which opened the event was greeted with great interest, entitled “The role of Expo Riva Schuh in the international market” with a talk by Professor Alberto Castro, of the Portuguese Catholic University in Porto and Consultant to APICCAPS - the Portuguese Footwear Association, on the subject of Footwear Supply and Demand - Stepping into the future. The analysis of the various aspects of change in the footwear sector over the next ten years as presented by the professor confirmed that Expo Riva Schuh is working in the right direction to oversee the market’s evolution. Amongst the key elements to emerge was the development of on-line platforms, which have always been a part of the event with large buying groups, especially interested in the unique mix presented at the fair, from the new collections to the revisiting of previous ones. Another key point is the development of new emerging markets and the role of China, which has passed from being “the factory of the world” to the de-localisation of production in other Asian countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, expanding and redesigning the production map of the world.
“In a market where global exchange is constantly on the up, Expo Riva Schuh is a vital link between production and distribution – states Giovanni Laezza, Managing Director of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. Our trade fair know-how and knowledge, as well as our ever increasing precision in the analysis of the sector and constant market monitoring, make our event the perfect backdrop for the companies of the sector. At the end of this edition, once again the exhibitors have displayed their loyalty and expressed their wish to be present at the next editions, because their business is so closely linked to Expo Riva Schuh, where they conclude the bulk of their seasonal orders.”
Another matter examined by Professor Castro was demographic evolution, which will play an important part in re-directing production, and the open challenges for new marketing tools.
“We have excellent results in terms of numbers, both for visitors and exhibitors. As a matter of fact, there were 1,389 companies, of whom 325 were Italian and 1,064 from overseas, presenting their products on an overall net area of 32,740m2 and we have seen some important new entries from Australia, the Arab Emirates, Greece, Singapore and the USA – adds Carla Costa, Manager of the Riva del Garda Fierecongressi Fairs Unit. These numbers are the result of a great work of study carried out with extremely high levels of professionalism by Expo Riva Schuh into new markets and international buyers, with a constant and careful monitoring of the sector at global level.”
The previews of the collections for Spring/Summer presented at Expo Riva Schuh featured a chic, refined but relaxed style. In the ladies’ area the new styles combined glamour with a soft, romantic spirit, enhanced with lace inserts, flowers inspired by bouquets and Provence as well as laces and bows. The message for men, on the other hand, was city free style, for a man who lives in an urban setting but dreams of colour, freedom and fantasy in his spare time. So we see moccasins, ranging from the classic English styles to sneakers, revitalised in terms of their base and colour. Kiddies’ footwear is all about comfort, safety, style and fun, with shiny, jewelled materials for little girls and denim teamed up with characters from blockbusters, fantasy and cartoons for little boys.
The dates for the next edition of Expo Riva Schuh are from 16th to19th January 2016.
Press release
Expo Riva Schuh
Riva del Garda, 17th June 2015