Expo Riva Schuh holds its own, meeting the challenge of crisis - SATISFACTION FOR THE 12,513 VISITORS WHO FLOCKED TO THE PAVILIONS OF THE 77th EDITION

Published: 20 January, 2012

Expo Riva Schuh, the most important international fair dedicated to the production footwear sector, closes today. The event, held at Riva del Garda from 14-17 January, concludes its 77th edition with 12,513 visitors, recording a substantial performance compared to January 2011.

“The confidence which dealers around the world continue to have in us," asserts Roberto Pellegrini, President of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, "is a reason to feel proud and satisfied." Expo Riva Schuh is the star of our fair calendar; we will continue to strive to provide ever higher quality services and more space to dealers. This is the path we need to follow in order for Expo Riva Schuh to stand apart from the rest and reach its strategic goals."

Over the course of this edition, Expo Riva Schuh hosted 1,230 exhibitors, with 886 of them coming from abroad, over a net total 32,000 square meters of exhibit surface area. For dealers from around the world, it was an opportunity to preview the autumn/winter 2012-13 collections and at the same time place orders for the season currently underway. There were numerous exhibitors presenting restocking and quick production collections for spring/summer 2012.

“Expo Riva Schuh confirms that this is an indispensable moment for dealers from around the world, “explains Giovanni Laezza, Director of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “Expo Riva Schuh is the first event of the year and it opens the calendar of new season offerings; so, it represents a decisive moment for understanding market trends. In addition, we are the event operating at a Europe-wide level with the highest rate of internationalisation, both among visitors as well as exhibitors. This strong international draw - also confirmed by the addition of four new countries to our exhibitor pool (Luxembourg, Russia, Slovakia, and Ethiopia) - has provided exhibitors with the opportunity to encounter a truly global audience as well as to look beyond the difficulties facing the European and Central European markets.”

To this end, the presence of 270 Chinese exhibitors, a select group which re-animated the China Fashion area, and 129 Indians, is certainly significant. On Sunday 15 January, the latter also received a visit from the Indian consul, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma.

The path towards internationalisation does not harm Italian companies whose presence was as strong as ever with 344 exhibitors; Expo Riva Schuh is a chance for them to be in the game, providing new and important opportunities not only at high-end prices but also at the mid-range.

The January 2012 edition also marked the beginning of several projects aimed at getting to know and understand the needs of Expo Riva Schuh dealers at a deeper level. The goal is one of creating a real visitor Observatory, one of the tools for observing and analysing market trends.

Already in its very initial first phase, the analysis of online registrations has revealed important information: 45% of those registered online participate in the event for more than two days, and therefore, not only on the week end. In addition 10% state they remain at the fair for the entire event, confirming Expo Riva Schuh as an event which enjoys longer than average visits.

“The figures emerging from the initial review have indicated some very interesting aspects," explains Carla Costa, Head of the Fair Area for Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “The first one surely regards the high degree of visitor loyalty: 78% of those registered state they visit both editions each year. This is a sign that for international dealers, Expo Riva Schuh is a standard setting event. Another interesting percentage is that 19% of those registered state that they have never visited the event before. This demonstrates that Expo Riva Schuh is an event which as vital as ever; one which is able to recreate itself while at the same time maintain its own underlying identity.”

The data also shows that 44% of the visitors are interested in the accessories sector. This is a very important conformation of Expo Riva Schuh's new project. With an eye to expanding its offerings, it is working on a new event dedicated to the world of fashion accessories, using Expo Riva Schuh India as a model.

Closing the doors of the 77th edition, Riva del Garda is looking ahead to its next event in June. At the same time it is working fast and furiously on the second edition of Expo Riva Schuh India, scheduled for 5 -7 July in New Delhi.

Riva del Garda, 17 January 2012

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