Expo Riva Schuh has reached its 90th edition and keeps on going: all eyes are on the present and the future of the world’s footwear market, which has undergone profound changes since the fair first started out, over 40 years ago.

Today’s market speaks of an increasingly well-informed consumer, both demanding and used to the speed of the digital world with all its technology. In this new context, operators need to adapt their strategies and acquisition models and at Expo Riva Schuh, they will enjoy a valuable chance to meet up and exchange views.

The relationship between digital technology and the acceleration of timescales for the creation, production and consumption of the fashion product will be the theme of the opening talk, entitled “(Too) fast for fashion: digital technology and the speed of fashion” scheduled for Saturday 16th June at 11:00 am at the Exhibition Centre Meeting Room in Riva del Garda.

“This 90th edition certainly doesn’t represent a point of arrival for us – states the Chairman of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, Roberto Pellegrini – but a new departure. Today, Expo Riva Schuh is a reference point that companies, retailers and buyers simply cannot afford to miss. The fair will provide them with the chance to analyse market trends and develop shared, effective strategies. This is the point from which we must start to continue the growth of our fair, offering companies and buyers quality opportunities in which to conduct quality business.”

Amongst the exhibitors, there is an increase in the number of Spanish and Portuguese companies, thanks to the greater collaboration with FICE (the Spanish Footwear Industry Federation) and APICCAPS (the Portuguese Footwear, Components, Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association). The presence has also been confirmed of various collectives of companies from China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Tunisia and
Turkey.

Altogether, there will be 1,474 exhibitors from 37 different countries, presenting their collections for Spring/Summer 2019 in the exhibition halls of Expo Riva Schuh. “The stronger presence of European exhibitors at Expo Riva Schuh is in line with the trend for export from European companies mainly from countries within the EU – explains Giovanni Laezza, Managing Director of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. We are also witnessing a
resurgence of the Russian market, while on a global level, China and India are showing a growth in domestic consumption, which opens up new and interesting prospects for these countries. The international dimension of Expo Riva Schuh allows us to be something of a litmus test for the changes taking place internationally.”

Amongst the 13,000 plus visiting business men and women from over 100 different nations, the 90th edition Expo Riva Schuh will host delegations of buyers from Croatia, Serbia, Russia and the Ukraine resulting from the collaboration with the ICE agency.

“For a while now, we’ve been moving forwards with specific actions related to some of the most interesting markets – explains Carla Costa, Manager of the Riva del Garda Fierecongressi Fairs Unit – both through our ‘Expo Riva Schuh Around the World’ project and also with our targeted meetings with representatives of Trade Bodies and Associations. Our objective is to involve new operators and new market areas to continue expanding our
offer at the fair, in line with trade trends.”

There will be a number of new initiatives to celebrate the event’s 90th edition, involving the whole town, as a sign of the strong link between the fair and the local area. There will be professional dancers and singers and three pianos will be placed at the disposal of anyone wishing to play them amongst the features of this celebration in the heart of Riva del Garda. And, in the evening, there will be video mapping spectacles to illuminate the town and tell the story of Expo Riva Schuh. All this will be organised and coordinated by the Friends of Expo Riva Schuh Association, created to enhance the history of the event and promote its link with the local area.

Riva del Garda, 16th June 2018