Obuv’ Mir Koži and Shoes from Italy concluded the association’s 2017 international trade fair calendar in an area of growing strategic importance for Italian exports Assocalzaturifici, the association for the protection and promotion of the Italian footwear industry, concludes its 2017 international trade fair calendar in the CIS area after visiting Moscow, Almaty and Kiev. These markets of great strategic importance for the footwear industry are finally showing signs of recovery.
“We are finally seeing an upswing in orders in the CIS area,” reports Assocalzaturifici chair Annarita Pilotti. “Consumers here are increasingly aware of the price factor, but still appreciate the quality and excellence of Italian shoemaking. And while we remain prudent, we in the industry look forward to upcoming seasons with confidence, aware that there is greater stability on the market.
” The market is undoubtedly beginning to show signs of recovery on all fronts, registering 12.8% growth in exports by value in the first seven months of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016. Sales in the area amount to almost 277 million euros, with an average price of 54.8 euros (down 10%) and an increase in the quantity of shoes sold to 5 million pairs, up 25.7% over the first seven months of 2016. Encouraging signals marking a change in direction over the last three years (2013-2016), when sales dropped 48% by value and 36% by volume.
Obuv’ Mir Koži in Moscow and Shoes from Italy in Almaty and Kiev drew an excellent response in terms of participation and buyer attendance, demonstrating that Russia and the CIS area still appreciated Italian footwear. After MICAM Milano, these two events are the most important on the trade fair calendar towards the end of the season, and the principal tool for small to mid-sized footwear manufacturers wanting to enter the CIS market.
This is supported by an important agreement with ITA Agency, under which Assocalzaturifici has implemented a strategy of consolidation of the market in the CIS area through mapping and profiling of the footwear retail sector and implementation of key actions targeting new buyers.
Assocalzaturifici looks forward to meeting with the trade on 21 November 2017 at Lotte Hotel in Moscow for The Best Luxury Stores Forum (www.thebestluxurystores.ru), an annual meeting organised by the Russian Buyer Union with the participation of the most important fashion dealers, where awards will be presented to the country’s best 100 boutiques. MICAM Milano, in partnership with WGSN, will contribute to the event by illustrating the trends for next fall/winter that will be featured in the new collections to be shown in Milan 11 through 14 February 2018.
Nota di Stampa
Assocalzaturifici
Milan, 20 November 2017