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GDS/GLS , global shoes & accessories ran from 14th to 16th September, featuring 1,392 exhibitors (including 280 new and returning exhibitors) from 45 countries presented shoe and bag collections for the 2008 Spring/Summer season. With around 33,500 trade buyers (51% from abroad) from over 80 countries the three fairs closed at the previous year’s level.
In a representative poll nine out of ten trade visitors rated the three fairs as good to very good. 70% of buyers appreciated the comprehensive supporting programme and range of informative events including the numerous fashion shows, expert panel discussions and stand presentations. The “prime square”, “Wellness & Comfort”, “Exclusivity”, “Young Fashion” and “white cubes” segments attracted special interest from visitors.
“The mood in the halls is the best proof that GDS/GLS and global shoes are doing better and better. Both trade and industry have realised things are happening in Düsseldorf and are now looking back to us again with great interest,” said Chairman at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH Werner Matthias Dornscheidt. Key exhibitors and buyers had come back to Düsseldorf, he said. The number of large-volume retailers with an annual turnover of over ten million euros had as much as doubled. “We shall continue in this direction in the months to come and further develop and strengthen the importance of GDS as a central information and orders platform in Europe together with exhibitors and associations,” Dornscheidt continued.
Summing up the fair Lloyd Managing Director Maximilian Müller said: “GDS went really well for us. All key top buyers from Prange to Kämpgen were here. We took very good orders, particularly from Scandinavia and Russia. GDS is and remains a key event. We shall always fly our flag here.”
On the other hand, many exhibitors stand by the notion that GDS is becoming a domestic fair, and limited to certain areas of footwear, with little diversity to hook people in. "I used to spend three solid days here" said one buyer "Now I can get around in a day without seeing much to grab me."
Many visitors are also disheartened with the over priced entry charge to the fair per day, the only one of its kind within the footwear exhibiton market.
However, moods were philosophical amongst most visitors, Eduard Ayzyatiov, Deputy Managing Director of the shoe retail chain Spartak from Kazan (Russia). “Our expectations were far exceeded. An international, high-quality range of top styles through to comfort shoes makes GDS an ideal information and order platform for our purchasing needs.”
Next year GDS/GLS and global shoes & accessories will be held from 14th to 16th March and from 12th to 14th September 2008 at Düsseldorf.
Further information and photos about GDS/ GLS and global shoes & accessories can also be found on the websites:-
www.gds-online.com
www.gls-fair.com
www.globalshoes-online.com
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