Shoe industry ‘quietly optimistic’
15/09/2009
According to provisional estimates, around 28,500 buyers from 82 countries visited the events.
“We are very satisfied with the way GDS and Global Shoes went. Over the last three days both events presented themselves as reliable fixtures in unsettled times,” explained show director, Kirstin Deutelmoser, at the end of both fairs. “The pooling of the individual lifestyle worlds and the extension of the information programme for retail have proven good steps to take. Strong premium and quality brands have continued to bank on GDS. At the same time, buyers were able to discover many new brands.”
Echoing the views of German exhibitors Ralph Rieker, chairman of shoe industry association HDS, Bundesverband der Schuhindustrie, summed up how the fair went. He said: “The dark clouds of the economic crisis are slowly starting to clear. The shoe industry is still here. And thankfully the buyers are still here, too. Instead of the anticipated reticence it has primarily been small and medium-sized shoe stores that have placed orders. This is a good sign. GDS has managed to fulfil or even exceed the expectations of most exhibitors in these unsettled times and has therefore been able to consolidate its position in the international shoe business.”
Commenting on the significance of GDS for Spanish shoe producers Javier Garcia Lillo from the Spanish shoe federation (FICE) said: “Over the past few seasons GDS has developed from a classic shoe fair into a spectacular event with very high fashion standards. I know of no other fair that manages to present and reflect the coming fashion and social trends as well as the current GDS. For Spanish exhibitors wanting to reach the central, northern and eastern European markets there is now no alternative to GDS.”
The next GDS and Global Shoes will be held in Düsseldorf from 12 to 14 March 2010.
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