The Spring-Summer Edition of Expo Riva Schuh, in Riva del Garda, Italy, ended with the sale of 959.1 thousand pairs

The second semester in the international market began with good results and interesting prospects for the Brazilian footwear industry. The Spring-Summer Edition of Expo Riva Schuh, in Riva del Garda, Italy, ended with the sale of 959.1 thousand pairs, which generated more than US$ 11.4 million for the 69 brands present at the Fair, which took place between June 17th and 20th. Adding up expectations on deals that were agreed upon at the fair, the number jumps to 2.5 million pairs and US$ 32.5 million. Brazil's participation was promoted by Brazilian Footwear, a program to support footwear exports maintained by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

In this edition, Brazil had a record participation in the Italian fair that opens the  second semester fairs calendar abroad. Abicalçados relationship analyst Aline Maldaner points out that 45 green-yellow companies presented their new collections over the four days of the fair. "This was the biggest participation of Brazilian Footwear. We brought 69 brands and had the presence of the collective stand of Três Coroas, the Três Coroas Shoes. Thus, all the diversity of products, local productive arrangements and segments of the Brazilian footwear industry were represented in the action that received buyers from many countries, especially from the European continent”, points out Aline.

Sustainability
On the first day of the show, Brazilian Footwear promoted a special meeting with international buyers, in addition to the press, to publicize the Sustainable Origin and all the work that makes Brazil a reference when it comes to sustainability. The initiative took place at the institutional booth of the program, where case studies of nine certified companies present at the Fair were being exhibited. "Sustainable Origin is the only ESG and sustainability certification for the footwear chain in the world. Following international indicators, it attests to sustainability in five dimensions in companies. It is a differential that Brazil offers to the market, companies aligned and concerned with sustainability and that draws attention. At the meeting, once again we could realize this”, says Aline, stressing that this initiative was carried out in partnership with the promoter of the fair.

Certified at the maximum level of Sustainable Origin, Diamond, Piccadilly (Igrejinha / RS) was one of the footwear companies that had its case presented and returns to Brazil with good business. The company's Export Manager, Bruna Kremer, says that all scheduled customers visited the stand and also managed to prospect and open new markets. "The quality of buyers was very interesting, despite the fact that we felt a smaller flow of visitors in this edition. The Fair met our expectations and over the four days we made contact with about 30 countries”, she says. In the summer editions, the footwear company usually holds a customer relationship dinner, which also has an impact on the results of the event. “It is a moment of exchange of experiences, they feel part of the business”, she mentions, while stressing that the company has already confirmed its presence for the January edition.

Debuts
One of the companies that participated for the first time at Expo Riva Schuh in this edition was Opananken Antitstress (Franca/SP). For the export manager of the footwear company, Leandro Moscardini, the debut was positive. “We came back satisfied with the results, the visits we received were important and we even had on-site order closures with markets that we did not yet work, such as Canada and Jordan.” The company's idea is to return in the winter edition of the show and continue working with the contacts made. "Now we have the post-fair moment with interesting contacts and samples to be confirmed”, he points out.

Fifth largest delegation
In this edition, Brazil was among the five largest delegations of the Fair, which had 1.3 thousand exhibitors from 42 countries. The general manager of Expo Riva Schuh, Gianpaola Pedretti, classifies this edition with the words community and experience. “We had the return of countries that until then had not returned to the Fair, which resulted in a 30% increase compared to the June 2022 edition. Thus, the networking between all agents is back and being present at an event that brings together the footwear community is a great experience,” says Gianpaola. “The Fair is made up of 50% of companies that work with private labels and 50% with their own brands. And the Brazilian footwear industry, in addition to being one of the largest producers in the world, makes these two business formats available to the market.”

Support and business
And it is precisely the opportunity to present the products of companies of all sizes to this community that is highlighted by the executive of the Três Coroas Footwear Industry Union (SICTC), Juliano Mapelli, who coordinates the participation of the Três Coroas Shoes collective. “All the companies attended, but the most important thing is that they had the opportunity to present themselves in this market, which is one of the main events in the sector in the world”, points out Mapelli. The collective booth was composed of nine companies, seven of which had already participated in the fair and two debuted in this edition. “We are looking for the main fairs for the internationalization project of Três Coroas Shoes and the more integrated we can act, the better for the Brazilian footwear industry. Therefore, the support of Abicalçados and Brazilian Footwear is very important for us to add strength and optimize investments and benefits for companies”, concludes Mapelli.

Participated in the event, with the support of Brazilian Footwear, the brands ADG Export, Awana, Lamara London, GVD International, Usaflex, Carrano, Andacco, Vizzano, Beira Rio, Moleca, Modare Ultraconforto, Molekinha, Molekinho, Actvitta, BR Sport, Madeira Brasil, Werner, Pegada, Capelli Rossi, Jorge Bischoff, Loucos & Santos, Democrata, Piccadilly, Anatomic Shoes, Moema, Archetti, Cartago, Grendha, Copacabana, Azaleia, Grendene Kids, Zaxy, Kidy, Suzana Santos, Renata Mello, Azillê, Pampili, Ramarim, Comfortflex, Levecomfort, Leveterapia, Adrun, Cecconello, Alex Senne, Boaonda, Bibi, Itapuã, New Face, Diversão, Street, Sollu, Ala, Zatz, Klin, Andine, Cia Perfeita, Eléia, Ipadma, Killana, Lightgel, Stéphanie Classic, Valentina, Variettá, Cristófoli, Tabita, Divalesi, Opananken Antitensor, Villione and Sapatoterapia.


About Brazilian Footwear:
Brazilian Footwear is an export incentive program developed by Abicalçados in partnership with ApexBrasil. This program aims to increase the presence of the Brazilian industry and its brands in the international market through development actions, commercial promotion and image. Read more: www.brazilianfootwear.com.br | www.abicalcados.com.br/brazilianfootwear.

About ApexBrasil: 
Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) is the Brazilian government’s trade and investment promotion agency. Regarding the investment activity, we support international investors as they analyze the opportunities to establish a plant in Brazil, start a partnership with a Brazilian company, or commit capital in Brazil through funds and companies. Our goal is to satisfy investors needs and generate results as we attract technology, innovation, new companies and generate jobs in Brazil. Learn more: https://apexbrasil.com.br/br/en.html#home.