Organisers of the recent Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags event, held in Riva del Garda from 15 to 18 June, have spoken of the show’s huge success and the positive comments they have had from brands and attendees alike.
More than 9,000 people attended the fair, the 101st edition, marking significant growth compared to both January 2024 and last year’s June edition.
Buyers, whose voices met those of 1,300 exhibitors, brands and companies representing 40 countries, including the world’s major producers (80 per cent international, 20 per cent Italian), spread across a total exhibition area of 50,000sqm across 11 fully occupied halls.
The Gardabags area dedicated to bags, luggage and accessories was hosted by 47 companies from Bangladesh, China, Germany, India, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey.
“Over the past few days, we have seen a widespread and overall sense of satisfaction,” said Roberto Pellegrini, President of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “In particular, I think it is important to highlight the increase in visitors from Latin America and Europe, and especially the significant return of buyers from Germany and Italy, up from June 2023.”
Attendees spoke not only of the new collections for the upcoming SS25 season, but also echoed throughout the 19 events that animated the four-day fair. All aimed at offering a complete overview of the footwear, bags and fashion accessories market: from the analysis of consumer trends to the showcasing of several exhibitors’ models, carefully selected for the Highlights Area; from the in-depth analysis of markets in different countries through the Market Focuses to the celebration of the event’s 50th anniversary with the highly successful Summer Celebration Nights.
Organisers shared some of the voices recounting an event that solidifies its status as a global hub for the mass-produced footwear and accessories market…
“I never thought I would find such a varied range of collections and suppliers from literally all over the world. This was my first time at Riva del Garda, but I will do everything I can to return.” Viona Maulidia – Matahari (Indonesia).
“Transparency is a stylistic detail that will undoubtedly shift from the catwalks to next seasons’ best-sellers, from ballerinas to boots.” MariaCristina Rossi – Arsutoria (Italy).
“Following the huge success of e-commerce during the pandemic, the situation has now stabilised, but we are at the fair looking for new partners and suppliers able to stimulate the market with fashionable and well-priced offerings.” Beate Anna Rehm – La Colibrì (Germany).
GianPaola Pedretti, Exhibition Manager, concluded: “This year of record growth, in which we also celebrated 50 years of business and 100 editions, motivates us to further pursue internationalisation, ensuring the best possible matching of supply and demand.”
The next edition of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags takes place on 11 to 14 January 2025.
