GDS exhibitor numbers expected to stay high
According to show organisers, changes made to the way GDS and Global Shoes were run at the September edition paid off.
A survey showed that most visitors travelled to GDS in order to gather information on new trends and current collections, as well as to place orders and maintain business relations. It also revealed that, for the 2009 spring-summer season, each buyer at GDS and Global Shoes had an average budget of €947,700 at their disposal. While 47% of visitors came to Düsseldorf with the aim of placing orders, the survey showed that as many as 61% buyers actually placed orders. Therefore, 14% of buyers appear to have decided to place orders on the spot.
On average, buyers visited five halls each, gathering more in-depth information in an average of 2.5 halls.
”Despite the current economic climate this September’s GDS was able to hold its own. It is very pleasing to see the positive feedback from the sector in response to the new concepts,” said director of both shows, Kirstin Deutelmoser.
The next edition will take place from March 13-15, 2009, at the Düsseldorf exhibition centre. Around 800 international exhibitors expected to attend GDS presenting approximately 2,000 collections. However, slightly lower numbers are likely to attend Global Shoes because of the current economic situation, with 400 exhibitors expected.
