Düsseldorf Shoe Fairs Perfectly Positioned

22/08/2007

Eight percent growth: labels return to GDS

GDS is undergoing a transformation and increasingly regaining the confidence of the industry. New concepts, innovative marketing strategies and an up-to-date image have brought the international shoe trade fair new momentum of late. More and more first-time exhibitors and returning participants recognize the importance of GDS as a powerful trade and communication platform for the international market.

From 14 to 16 September 2007, a total of 1,378 exhibitors from 45 countries (as of 21 August 2007) will be presenting their latest shoe and bag collections for Spring/Summer 2008 as well as ex-stock items for the current season at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre during GDS/GLS – International Event for Shoes, Leather Goods & More and "global shoes & accessories". These numbers put the forthcoming event at the same level as last year's edition.

GDS as locomotive, however, is convincing with qualitative and quantitative growth: With eight percent more exhibitors and many new attractive labels, the fair's development exceeds expectations.

104th GDS gains even more radiance

The forthcoming 104th GDS underscores the upward trends of past events. Whereas the fair has always completely covered the German market, now labels from other important producer countries are returning or exhibiting at GDS for the first time. The coming fair represents a 12 percent growth in exhibitors from Italy, Spain and France. A similarly strong development can be observed with exhibitors from the USA, while the number of exhibitors from Great Britain has almost doubled compared with last year's event.

Concurrently, the seven segments of GDS are growing. Most notably, the International Selection, Wellness & Comfort, Young Fashion and Exclusivity areas show quantitative as well as qualitative improvement. Thanks to the very successful concept areas "prime square – value & tradition" and "white cubes – contemporary design", the Exclusivity area in Hall 9 is registering 32 percent more exhibitors. In the premium area "white cubes" alone, 150 international designer labels and progressive high-fashion label will present themselves this September in an exclusive ambience.

"With many small and major changes, we have made GDS fit for the future in the past few seasons," Frank Hartmann, General Manager responsible for GDS with Messe Düsseldorf, explained during the opening press conference. "Industry and trade have recognized that there is a lot happening in Düsseldorf and are looking our direction with great interest. For more and more quality labels, Düsseldorf is an alternative to be taken seriously."

"The numerous talks in the past months have shown me that the fair has reached the turnaround point — our efforts are beginning to bear fruit," exclaims Project Director Kirstin Deutelmoser. "As the only European fair, GDS/GLS and global shoes, with its comprehensive supporting programme, secures the ordering decisions of the buyers and prepares trade ideally for the next season. We will continue along this path and further sharpen the profile of our three fairs." (See separate press release for information on the supporting programme.)

GLS stabilizes itself

"Assortment expansion" is again the magic word for shoe dealers at GLS. With a stable number of exhibitors, the fair focuses on GDS-related segments such as bags, gloves, belts and small leather goods. Leather goods retailers benefit from the overall fashion presentation of the GDS/GLS. Filtered in advance, the assortment focuses primarily on German and European brands.

global shoes & accessories specialises its assortment

The platform for volume suppliers and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) offers exhibitors and visitors an independent B2B forum. Exhibitors from 27 countries present the entire spectrum of women's and men's shoes, including sport and wellness shoes to bags and leather accessories. Here, too, quality goes over quantity. Rather than expanding the assortment, we have consciously limited the OEM segment for this September.

"We could have accepted noticeably more companies into global shoes. Instead, we - along with our foreign offices - proceeded very selectively. Nonetheless, the event remains the leading trade fair of its kind worldwide," explained Kirstin Deutelmoser.