Month: October 2024

The footwear sector is one of the industries with the highest concentration of SMEs in Brazil: out of 53,000 companies in the country, 92% are small and micro enterprises. When combined with medium-sized businesses, according to RAIS 2022, they account for over 5,000 companies that employ nearly 140,000 people, based on 2023 data from the Ministry of Labor and Employment's. To stand out and strengthen the economy, many brands will participate in the 3rd edition of BFSHOW, the main footwear trade show in Brazil, organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and NürnbergMesse Brasil. The event will take place from November 11 to 13 in São Paulo/SP, bringing together hundreds of manufacturers and thousands of Brazilian retailers and international importers. The second edition of the event, held in May, attracted over 9,000 national and international visitors.

An important market for small, medium, and micro-sized footwear entrepreneurs, BFSHOW provides access to retailers and importers who would otherwise be out of reach for these businesses. "BFSHOW encouraged us to aim higher. We were present at the last edition and will continue participating, seeking new markets outside Brazil, which is one of our main goals. The event is a major and important showcase for the sector," says Cacio Piccoli, director of Tree Shoes, a medium-sized company from Santa Catarina state. Producing around 1,000 pairs per day, Tree Shoes’ strategy focuses on staying away from mass production, betting on product diversification combined with creativity, quality, and comfort. The company operates throughout Brazil and exports to countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay.

"BFSHOW has established itself as a meeting place of opportunities for Brazilian SMEs with retailers and vendors from around the world, increasing the visibility of these brands and, consequently, their sales. We offer the best conditions for them not only to showcase their products but also to grow and expand their presence in both national and international markets," says Rico Azeredo, Head of New Business at NürnbergMesse Brasil.

However, being an SME comes with many challenges. Isaque Weber, Commercial Manager of Werner Calçados, lists labor costs, technology, raw materials, bureaucracy, and even inter-state tax issues as the main difficulties faced by entrepreneurs in the sector. “Large groups can negotiate better raw material prices and have greater advertising and marketing investment power, for example. These are challenges that Werner Calçados has faced and overcome throughout its 55-year history, allowing us to stand out in the industry. We offer high-quality shoes with unique designs and comfort, which keeps us strong in the market," he adds.

The medium-sized company from Rio Grande do Sul has a strong presence both in Brazil and abroad, with representatives in 80% of Brazil’s states, as well as an internal team that directly serves retailers in other regions. Internationally, Werner Calçados does business in over 40 countries, with a significant presence in Italy, France, Portugal, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Argentina. "BFSHOW provides the opportunity to launch our new products to key national and international players. It streamlines our networking by bringing top buyers from Brazil and abroad to the event, offering us great visibility and allowing us to reach both markets at once."

In the last edition of BFSHOW, 35% of the 318 exhibitors were categorized as micro and small businesses, and 49% as medium-sized companies. Entrepreneurial support institutions organized collective spaces to help these businesses participate in the event. Sebrae-RS brought the Estação Moda RS, a shared space for 18 micro and small businesses affected by the floods in May, to the first edition of the event in São Paulo. During the event, they closed deals exceeding R$ 44 million, selling over 55,000 products to around 500 different buyers, according to Sebrae.

For the November edition, one of the initiatives to promote SME participation comes from the city of Franca. Through a public notice, the city's Development Department will select 15 footwear and accessory manufacturers from the region to participate in the collective stand of the Espaço Moda Franca project. “BFSHOW is a unique opportunity for all players in our sector. For exhibitors, it offers the chance to showcase their products to new buyers, gaining different clients and markets. For retailers, it’s an event that brings together the best and most modern products all in one place at once, saving hours of research and negotiations," concludes Letícia Sperb Masselli, Abicalçados' Relationship and Business Manager.

Registration Open and New Venue

Registration is now open for retailers, importers, and industry professionals through the website bfshow.com.br. In November, the event will move to a new location, taking place at the newly renovated Distrito Anhembi, in the northern part of São Paulo. With 64,000 square meters of exhibition space, a convention center, hotels with over 7,000 rooms within a 5-kilometer radius, a 13,000-square-meter restaurant, and areas for relaxation and nature, Distrito Anhembi represents an important step in making BFSHOW one of the leading trade shows in the world.

SERVICE
3rd BFSHOW
Date: November 11 to 13, 2024 (Monday to Wednesday)
Venue: Anhembi District (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209 – Santana, São Paulo/Brazil)
For more information and registration