Month: October 2023

Less than a month before its realization, the first edition of the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW, taking place from November 21 to 23 at the FIERGS Events Center in Porto Alegre, RS, holds great expectations for exhibitors and retailers. The fair, featuring over 100 of the leading national brands in its first edition, expects more than 10,000 Brazilian retailers and buyers from all continents. BFSHOW is organized by the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados) in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil. 

One of the confirmed groups at BFSHOW is Oscar, one of the largest in the country with 180 stores across the interior of São Paulo, Vale do Paraíba, Triângulo Mineiro, Joinville/SC, Alagoas, and Paraíba. "I believe that 2024 will be a very challenging year for retail, and this type of event, in addition to strengthening the footwear sector, allows us to exchange information with manufacturers and other market players. This is the first time this fair is happening, and I hope to find a lot of information to select products for Winter 24," says the group's product manager, Elisa Gasparetto Indalecio. She points out that since the network develops part of the women's collection as a private label, it is important to find good manufacturers for these developments and exclusive projects. "Being at an event with this quality of exhibitors always creates an opportunity for good business," she concludes. 

The director of the Dinni group, which has 27 stores in Bahia, Sergipe, and Rio Grande do Norte, Alberto Rocha Nunes Filho, emphasizes that, given the confirmed brands, the expectations for BFSHOW are quite positive. "We are expecting a lot from the fair organized by Abicalçados, which brings big brands from all segments and footwear clusters. The fair will be important not only for generating business but also for contributing to fashion trend studies and insights," he assesses. 

International Presence 
In addition to the major Brazilian retail groups, BFSHOW has confirmed the presence of more than 100 importers from around the world in projects carried out in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) and NürnbergMesse Brasil. 

One of the confirmed importers at the fair is Carlos Alberto Londoño of Grulla y Wellco from Colombia. "For our company, it is very important to keep up with the evolution of the Brazilian footwear industry through BFSHOW. We hope to find great brands and achieve good business to further integrate the Brazilian and Colombian markets," says the buyer. The group is one of the leading players in the Colombian e-commerce.  

According to Abicalçados, data shows that Colombia has been buying more Brazilian footwear in 2023. According to the organization's data, more than 6.9 million pairs were exported there between January and September, a 4.4% increase from the same period last year. Currently, Colombia is the fourth main destination for Brazilian footwear (in pairs) abroad. 

The Ne Lochlan group, a footwear distributor in Costa Rica, comes to Brazil in search of sports, children's, men's, and women's shoes. The company's president, Alejandro Venegas Benito, emphasizes that being at the fair is very relevant, especially for strengthening the relationship with Brazilian brands they already work with and for exploring new products and options. "Another important factor is the significant presence of international buyers, as the exchange of experiences between markets is very valuable." 

Expectations 
According to Abicalçados, in 2023, industry production growth is expected to be between 1% and 1.7%, surpassing 860 million pairs. Expectations are quite positive for BFSHOW, especially in the domestic market, which is expected to grow by 3% over the course of this year. Check the confirmed brands and register on the website. 

About the organizers  
NürnbergMesse Brasil is a subsidiary of the NürnbergMesse Group, one of the 15 largest fair organizers in the world. The group’s portfolio includes more than 120 international fairs and congresses (14 of them in Brazil) and more than 40 pavilions. Every year, more than 30,000 expositors and more than 1,5 million visitors meet in events hosted by NürnbergMesse, which also has subsidiaries in China, United States, Brazil, Greece, Italy, and India, The group also established a network with sone 50 representatives operating in more than 116 countries. 

About Abicalçados  
Abicalçados represents the Brazilian footwear industry, fifth largest in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Founded in 1983, Abicalçados is based in Novo Hamburgo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, and its members are companies of all sizes accounting for more than 65 percent of the footwear produced in the country. The entity represents an industry that employs more than 300,000 people. Its mission is to represent, defend, develop, and promote Brazil’s footwear industry with respect, excellency, and results. 

With 25 years of tradition, Usaflex is currently experiencing one of its best moments. The company, headquartered in Igrejinha/RS, anticipates growth in both the number of pairs produced and revenue throughout 2023. To achieve this, they are focusing on expanding through single-brand franchises and investing more than R$ 36 million throughout the year, which will increase production capacity by over 28% to 36,000 pairs produced daily. 

Ending 2022 with a revenue of R$ 520 million, the company aims to reach the figure of R$ 600 million in 2023, representing a growth of 15.3%. To achieve this goal, in addition to franchise expansion, the footwear company from Rio Grande do Sul has invested in expanding its production and significant media promotion of its products. "Recently, we achieved one of our main goals, which was to expand the manufacturing unit in Igrejinha, with an investment of R$ 36 million. This increased our production capacity from 28,000 to 36,000 pairs daily, a growth of over 28%," says Usaflex CEO, Sergio Bocayuva. 

BFSHOW 

Another strategic move by the company is its participation in the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW, a footwear exhibition organized by the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados) and operated by NürnbergMesse Brazil on November 21-23, in FIERGS, Porto Alegre/RS. At the event, Usaflex plans to introduce innovative technologies, such as the Gel Cushion and a comfort-focused technology that allows shoes to be put on without using hands. 

According to Bocayuva, the development of this technology began in 2021 when Usaflex identified the growing demand for solutions that simplify the act of putting on shoes, offering comfort and well-being to consumers. "Furthermore, it's an inclusive product as it facilitates use by individuals with upper limb disabilities," highlights the CEO. He adds that the key to this technology lies in the shoe's anatomy, which features a rear piece - the counter - that offers a larger area for the heel to slide into the shoe, along with the use of innovative materials like niobium, which enhances overall durability. 

Expectations for the product's launch are high at Usaflex. "Presenting an innovative product like this at an exhibition that aims to revolutionize the concept of trade shows in the country is significant. We have very high expectations for the product's reception because BFSHOW is an exhibition that not only attracts some of the major international players but also numerous retailers from major consumption centers in Brazil," the manager predicts. 

Created to be the leading footwear exhibition in Brazil, bringing together all the industry's regions and segments, BFSHOW will feature over 100 exclusive brands at the exhibition, including Usaflex. 

More about Usaflex 

Founded in 1998 in the city of Igrejinha, Rio Grande do Sul, Usaflex is a pioneer and leader in the manufacture of leather shoes and bags that prioritize innovation, style, and comfort for women. With a production capacity of up to 25,000 pairs of shoes per day, the brand stands out for incorporating technology into more than 50 different product lines, which can be purchased through the online store, multi-brand retailers, or one of the 300 franchises spread throughout the national territory. By the end of 2023, Usaflex aims to reach a total of 340 stores in Brazil." 

Created to be Brazil's main footwear fair, bringing together all sectors of the industry, the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW, announced that, less than 60 days before its opening, 96% of exhibition spaces have already been sold, with the presence of the country's leading brands. Of the confirmed brands, over 100 will be exclusively at BFSHOW in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. The fair, promoted by the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados) and operated by NürnbergMesse Brasil, will hold its first edition from November 21 to 23 at the FIERGS Events Center in the state capital. 

One of the major companies exclusively confirmed for BFSHOW is Vulcabras, from Parobé, Rio Grande do Sul. According to the group's CEO, Pedro Bartelle, the choice of the fair is strategic for strengthening the Brazilian footwear sector. "Vulcabras understands the importance of positioning Brazil, technology, and innovation in the Brazilian footwear sector. It is an opportunity to once again discuss the significance of the largest footwear industry outside of Asia, one of the most sustainable in the world," he comments.  

PG4 Galleria, a high-value-added men's footwear manufacturer from Franca, São Paulo, has also secured its presence exclusively at BFSHOW. The company's director, Giuliano Spinelli, emphasizes that the leading brands in each segment will be at the fair, positioning it as the main and most attractive business fair in the sector in Brazil. "The focus will be on business, so retailers or importers who attend the event will be in the right place for their supply, as they will find the leading brands from all niches, segments, and regions," he evaluates.  

Representing a segment that will be almost entirely present at BFSHOW, Carlos Mestriner, director of Klin, highlights that the fair will feature the best in Brazilian children's footwear. "We are sure that we will see quality business at a unique fair prepared to position Brazil as one of the world's leading players in the sector," he emphasizes.  

From the segment of comfortable women's footwear, Sergio Bocayuva, CEO of Usaflex, is another enthusiast of the event. "In a world of constant transformations, the footwear sector appears to have great potential for evolution. For this, we need a new fair, a new business model in trade shows. BFSHOW is the fair for Brazilian footwear entrepreneurs who want to innovate, offer better service to their customers, create professional business connections, and expand their horizons," he says.  

Industry Unity 

Haroldo Ferreira, the executive president of Abicalçados, highlights that the success of BFSHOW is the result of the unity of the national footwear sector, which for the most part understands the importance of having an internationally renowned fair that will result in investments in the sector through projects and not for a private company. "Proof of this is that over 90% of the brands at BFSHOW will be exclusively with us and not at any other fair. Certainly, both national and international buyers who come to the fair will be positively satisfied to find the leading brands in each segment in an environment fully prepared for business transactions. It will be a true showcase of Brazilian footwear," he comments.  

One of the highlights of the first edition of BFSHOW is the unity in support of the event, with companies understanding that it is a joint effort to strengthen the industry. According to Ferreira, BFSHOW is a moment that marks the history of the footwear industry. "In over 130 years of footwear production in Brazil, we have never had a fair organized by the entrepreneurs themselves and focused entirely on business and transparency. We are experiencing a historic moment of unity for the strengthening of the entire sector. We have the support of 16 footwear industry unions from all over Brazil, in addition to the Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (ApexBrasil), which is our official partner," he says. ApexBrasil is one of the supporters of the BFSHOW Buyer Project, which will bring over 100 international buyers from all continents. 

A New Model for Trade Shows in Brazil 
NürnbergMesse Brasil, the promoter company associated with the German NürnbergMesse Group responsible for organizing BFSHOW, reports that more than 10,000 buyers are expected to visit the first edition of the footwear fair. "BFSHOW has already been a success since its announcement. Following an international trend of major trade shows, such as Micam Milano, which is promoted by the Italian footwear association, the fair was created by the market and for the market, channeling resources to reinvest in the sector through its industry association. It is a new model for footwear fairs emerging in Brazil," comments NürnbergMesse Brasil CEO João Paulo Picolo. 

Registration for the first edition of BFSHOW is open on the website https://bfshow.com.br/en, where confirmed brands and other event information can be found.  

About Abicalçados 

Abicalçados represents the Brazilian footwear industry, fifth largest in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Founded in 1983, Abicalçados is based in Novo Hamburgo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, and its members are companies of all sizes accounting for more than 65 percent of the footwear produced in the country. The entity represents an industry that employs more than 300,000 people. Its mission is to represent, defend, develop, and promote Brazil’s footwear industry with respect, excellency, and results. 

About the organizers 

NürnbergMesse Brasil is a subsidiary of the NürnbergMesse Group, one of the 15 largest fair organizers in the world. The group’s portfolio includes more than 120 international fairs and congresses (14 of them in Brazil) and more than 40 pavilions. Every year, more than 30,000 expositors and more than 1,5 million visitors meet in events hosted by NürnbergMesse, which also has subsidiaries in China, United States, Brazil, Greece, Italy, and India, The group also established a network with sone 50 representatives operating in more than 116 countries.