The 6th edition of BFSHOW, The biggest footwear tradeshow in Latin America, has reinforced positive expectations in the sector for the second half of the year. Featuring around 350 Brazilian brands at the Distrito Anhembi venue, in São Paulo/SP, the trade show welcomed 11.6 thousand visitors from all Brazilian states, including 1.15 thousand importers. BFSHOW was promoted by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil from May 18 to 20.
The Executive President of the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association, Haroldo Ferreira, states that the event was highly effective, as exhibiting companies participated with expectations aligned with the current market scenario, acknowledging economic challenges and understanding the need to act strategically, with assertive product launches connected to the demands of both the Brazilian and international retail markets. “Within this context, the results achieved exceeded the brands’ expectations, positively surprising exhibitors,” he emphasizes. According to him, the strategy of incorporating qualified content also contributed directly to the trade show’s performance. “The Live Commerce workshops were fully attended throughout the event, and the BFSHOW Arena delivered relevant talks for the domestic retail sector. We were able to deliver exactly what retailers were looking for,” he evaluates.
According to Haroldo Ferreira, BFSHOW’s performance reinforces positive prospects for the second half of the year. “In the first quarter, we recorded a drop of around 7% in production, reflecting a still challenging scenario. However, the results seen at the trade show indicate that the market is recovering and give us confidence that this performance will be reversed in the coming months,” the Executive President predicts.
For the CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, BFSHOW once again demonstrated its strength as a platform for connections that drive relationships and business. “We are a strategic environment that brings exhibitors and buyers closer together, strengthening the entire footwear value chain. With each edition, we reaffirm our vocation to generate opportunities and boost the sector. We are already looking forward to the next BFSHOW, in November, when business and content will once again go hand in hand, strengthening an industry that is so relevant to the Brazilian economy,” he states.
Positive surprise
Amid a market that “moved sideways” in the first months of the year, the director of Andacco (São Sebastião do Paraíso/MG), Benevenuto Arantes, did not have high expectations for BFSHOW. However, within the first hours of the event, the outlook changed for the remainder of 2026. According to the executive, “the trade show was a positive surprise.” “We had an edition at least 50% better in terms of deals closed compared to last May. The collection was very well received, especially the women’s footwear line, which accounted for 70% of sales at the event,” he says. With a production of 3.8 thousand pairs of footwear per day, Andacco is expected to increase its output to 4 thousand pairs daily throughout the second half of the year. “We also expect a boost from the international market, especially from the United States, which accounts for around 40% of Andacco’s total exports. Last year, we were hit hard by the tariff hike, and now the market is recovering. In fact, here at BFSHOW, the first importer to visit our booth was an American buyer,” Arantes reports. In addition to buyers from the United States, Andacco welcomed importers from Argentina, Costa Rica, Israel, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, and Paraguay during the trade show.
An optimistic tone was also present in the remarks of Arthur Trindade, Trade Marketing Coordinator at Bebecê Calçados (Três Coroas/RS). According to him, the May 2026 edition of the trade show significantly outperformed the edition held in the same month last year. “We had excellent first and second days. And the third, as you can see—pointing to the tables at the booth—has maintained the same pace,” he says. In his view, in addition to assertive communication and collection, the positive results point to a market recovery for the brand. “We are being increasingly sought after by buyers, both from the domestic and international retail markets. The trade show was excellent.”
Restocking
In addition to presenting Summer collections, BFSHOW also generated immediate business for ready delivery. This was the case for Neto Paula Leite, director of Kiko’s Calçados, from Boituva/SP. “We have attended every edition of the trade show and have noticed its evolution not only in terms of structure, but also in the products on display. This Summer collection has been well renewed and is very appealing. Here at BFSHOW, we made a point of visiting every booth for seasonal purchases, but we also closed some ready-delivery deals,” he says. According to him, the ready-delivery orders were placed to restock the group’s 11 stores following a positive Mother's Day, when sales were 5% higher compared to the same period last year.
Buying “more than expected”
The director of Jofear, from Petrópolis/RJ, Cristiano Lima, said he “bought more than expected.” According to him, the collections presented were highly attractive from both an aesthetic and innovation standpoint. “Here, we purchased 20% more than we had initially planned. After a challenging first half of the year, we believe the second part will be stronger, which is why we are now more stocked,” he emphasizes.
International buyers
Traditionally, BFSHOW attracts a large number of international buyers. This edition was no different. Over the three days, more than 1.15 thousand importers from 60 countries attended the trade show.
Attending BFSHOW for the first time, the buyer from Europa Group, Sashenka Naicker, returns to South Africa with several orders closed during the event. “We have been working with Brazilian footwear for many years, and the experience of attending the trade show was wonderful. The event is very well organized, easy to navigate, and highly digital and modern,” she says. During the first two days, the importer met with Brazilian companies she already works with. On the final day, she held meetings with new manufacturers she met at the event. “Brazilian products stand out for their unique design, colors, and styles. In addition, suppliers feel like a family, and our company shares the same values.”
Peruvian buyer Karla Calderón was another importer walking the aisles of the sixth edition of BFSHOW. The buyer for Afluencia y Le Carre, which operates ten stores across several cities in Peru, highlights that the trade show is large, well segmented, and features a strong selection of exhibitors. “I have been working with Brazilian footwear for around 25 years because of its quality, technology, and product diversity, in addition to competitive pricing. At this BFSHOW, I placed orders with companies I already work with and also onboarded a new supplier,” she says, noting that 90% of purchases are made under a private label model for the company’s brands (Vincent van Gogh for men’s and women’s footwear, and Gorilas for children’s). private label para as marcas da companhia (Vincent van Gogh para calçados masculinos e femininos; e Gorilas para infantis).
The next edition of BFSHOW has already been scheduled. It will take place from November 10 to 12, once again at the Distrito Anhembi venue, in São Paulo/SP. Follow updates on the official website: bfshow.com.br . bfshow.com.br.
















