Month: April 2026

With its provisional entry into force on May 1 (covering the trade chapter), the Mercosur–European Union trade agreement brings optimism for the 6th edition of BFSHOW. The biggest footwear trade show in Latin America, held at the Distrito Anhembi venue in São Paulo/SP, will feature more than 350 Brazilian footwear brands, representing more than 75% of the country’s footwear production. The trade show, held by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil, will be held from May 18 to 20.

According to Abicalçados Business and Relationships Manager Letícia Sperb Masselli, despite the challenging international market scenario, the entry into force of the trade agreement—discussed for more than 26 years—brings optimism to the Brazilian footwear industry. “Last year, the European bloc imported more than 3.2 billion pairs, for which US$ 63.7 billion were paid, accounting for over 40% of total global footwear imports. There is strong potential for Brazilian footwear driven by tariff elimination,” says Letícia, noting that leather footwear, which accounts for 45% of the value exported by Brazil to the European Union, is expected to reach full tariff elimination within up to seven years. Currently, import tariffs on footwear in the European Union range from 3.5% to 17%, depending on the product.

International buyers outlook
According to the head of BFSHOW at NürnbergMesse Brasil, Felipe Marchioni, the 6th edition of the trade show is expected to achieve record international attendance. “In May, we expect to welcome more than 1,500 international buyers, a significant share of them from Europe,” he says. The figure includes importers invited through the BFSHOW Buyer Project as well as those attending independently, driven by the event’s international recognition. “We have the largest industry in the West, and growing demand is natural—especially for importers seeking alternatives to footwear sourced from Asia. We project that, of the total buyers expected at the trade show, more than 12% will be international,” he adds.

One of the European buyers confirmed for the May edition of BFSHOW is Maciej Pelka, CEO of Kondor, a footwear distributor from Poland. Attending the trade show for the first time, the buyer has strong expectations for business. “We already work with Brazilian footwear from women’s brands, which are highly appreciated in the Polish market. At the event, we will kick off a purchase totaling more than 20,000 pairs of leather footwear annually,” says Pelka, who also notes interest in expanding business with new Brazilian manufacturers.

Attending BFSHOW for the second time, buyer Kevin Plaku, CEO of Kevin Class, a network of 11 stores in Albania, notes that the Brazilian footwear showcased at the event combines quality and a wide variety of styles, generating strong expectations for deals. “If prices meet our expectations, we are considering purchasing more than 20,000 pairs at the event and throughout the year,” he says.

The trade show
With less than three years of existence, BFSHOW is already the biggest footwear trade show in Latin America. Held in a space of more than 33,000 square meters, in the financial heart of the continent, the trade show is expected to welcome more than 12,000 buyers from across Brazil and from over 40 countries throughout its three-day run.

Registration for the trade show is open at www.bfshow.com.br

SERVICE

6th BFSHOW
Date: May 18-20, 2026
Time: May 18 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | May 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Distrito Anhembi, São Paulo, Brazil

Major footwear retail chains are already planning ahead and rely on a strong ally to do so. Bringing together, in a single venue, a wide range of brands, services, and exclusive content, BFSHOW is a must-attend event for industry buyers — and a strategic environment for doing business. Considered the biggest footwear tradeshow in Latin America, the 6th edition of the event will take place from May 18 to 20 at Distrito Anhembi, in São Paulo/SP. The event is held by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil (NMB).

Easy access to brands from all segments and Brazilian production hubs is one of the key differentiators highlighted by BFSHOW visitors, alongside the venue’s segmented layout — which, according to buyers, streamlines the visit. “BFSHOW has established itself as one of the key moments of the year for our market. It is an opportunity to explore products, align strategies with suppliers, and start outlining the next purchasing cycles with greater confidence. The entire structure provided greatly facilitates the decision-making process,” says Rouget Ortiz, men’s footwear buyer at Lojas Pompéia.

Founded in 1953, in the city of Camaquã/RS, the company is one of the leading fashion retail chains in southern Brazil. With more than 90 stores located across the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, Lojas Pompéia has been taking part in BFSHOW since its second edition. “We have been able to follow the evolution and growing relevance of the trade show within the sector over the past years,” adds Rouget Ortiz. According to him, in May the chain will be looking for new collections, consumer trends, design, and new brands. “We also aim to find more competitive purchasing conditions, business opportunities, and expand our networking.”

The event has also established itself as an important hub for attracting retailers from the Northeast. Among the exhibitors, around 12% represent the region. Northeastern retail chains MIB and Éconis highlight the event as the main meeting point for the industry’s leading players and trends. “We always seek to stay up to date with the latest developments, and BFSHOW provides us with that environment. Today, it is one of the biggest trade shows in Brazil, with strong influence on fashion trends,” says Ronilson Oliveira, partner at MIB, a footwear and accessories retail chain. With 42 stores operating across 21 cities in Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo, the executive uses the event to map market movements and adjust the product mix more assertively. Participation also serves as a barometer for trends expected to impact retail in the coming cycles, while reinforcing established partnerships, according to him.

Bethania Cavalcante, buyer at Grupo Éconis, will also attend the trade show with an eye on the upcoming season. A frequent visitor to BFSHOW, she looks for collections with competitive differentiators for the points of sale. The company’s strategy is to prioritize products that stand out in store windows and stimulate renewed consumption, while also expanding the range of brands available in its stores. “We expect a collection that brings differentiators to capture our customers’ attention, as well as suppliers capable of interpreting fashion trends in an attractive way, with fair pricing,” she says. The retail chain has more than 60 stores across the states of Paraíba, Alagoas, and Ceará.

With the presentation of new collections and the presence of professionals from both industry and retail, BFSHOW serves as a platform for decisions that directly impact retailers’ planning throughout the year, while also reflecting the movements and priorities of the Brazilian footwear sector. The expectation for May is to welcome 12,000 visitors, both domestic and international.



Service
6th BFSHOW
Date: May 18-20, 2026
Time: May 18 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | May 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: Distrito Anhembi, in São Paulo/SP