Author: Diego

The 4th edition of BFSHOW, the footwear trade show taking place from May 19 to 21 in São Paulo/SP, served as the stage for the official inauguration of the new Board of the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) for the 2025–2028 term. The ceremony was held on the evening of May 20, bringing together guests of the footwear entity at Distrito Anhembi. Businessman Ricardo Wirth, director of Calçados Wirth, based in Dois Irmãos/RS, took over as Chairman of the Board from Caetano Bianco Neto, who now continues as Honorary Board Member of Abicalçados.

During the ceremony, in an emotional speech, Bianco Neto emphasized the importance of the Association to Brazil’s footwear industry and the strengthened connection with all Brazilian footwear clusters during his term. “Today is a day of gratitude. Gratitude to the footwear industry, which gave me everything I have, gratitude to the Board I worked with, to our member companies, and to the Abicalçados team,” he said, naming every staff member of the Association. The former Chairman also highlighted the creation of BFSHOW as a long-standing demand from the national footwear industry. “Having a trade show led by the industry itself—with transparency and equal treatment for all exhibitors, regardless of size—was a long-time dream of Abicalçados, and it’s now a reality at this event,” he concluded.

The new Chairman, Ricardo Wirth, spoke about the challenge of taking on a leadership role at Abicalçados. “I take on this position as a personal commitment to the Brazilian footwear industry, with the mission of continuing to work for sustainability, competitiveness, and innovation in our sector,” he stated. A native of Dois Irmãos, Wirth has been involved in the industry since a very young age, beginning in 1964 with office work at the company. Founded in 1948, Calçados Wirth employs 1,000 people and produces over 7,000 pairs of shoes per day—90% of which are exported to more than 50 countrie

Tribute to Companies
The evening also included a tribute to Abicalçados member companies celebrating milestone anniversaries in the first half of 2025, in five-year intervals. Representatives of these companies took the stage to receive a trophy shaped like a shoe last.

New Board
In addition to Ricardo Wirth, the following members also took office on Abicalçados’ Board: Almir Manoel Atanázio dos Santos (Sincasjb), Ana Carolina Grings (Piccadilly), Analdo Slovinski Moraes (Bebecê), Astor Reinaldo Ranft (Calçados Pegada), Carlos Alberto Mestriner (Klin), Cláudio Chies (Grendene), Daniel Marcelino Gewehr (Via Marte), Giuliano Spinelli Gera (PG4 Galleria), Henrique Antonio Jorge (Luz da Lua), João Fernando Hartz (AZZAS 2154), João Henrique Hoppe (Grupo Dass), Jorge Bischoff (Bischoff Group), José Osterno Filho (Di Valentini), José Paulo Boelter (Grupo Sugar Shoes), Junior César Silva (Crômic Femme), Luiz Raul Aleixo Barcelos (Luiza Barcelos), Marcelo Henrique Lehnen (Dakota), Marcelo Paludetto (Democrata), Marco Lourenço Müller (Grupo Ramarim), Maria Aparecida Mestriner Colli (Pampili), Paulo Vicente Bender (Carrano), Pedro Bartelle (Vulcabras), Renato Klein (Sicergs), Rodrigo Amaral Martins (Sindinova), Samir Nakad (Sameka), Sérgio Bocayuva (Usaflex), Sergio Gracia (Kidy), Danilo Cristófoli (Cristófoli), João Altair dos Santos (Conforto), and Paulo Roberto Konrath (Lotus).

Serving as Honorary Board Members of Abicalçados are Caetano Bianco Neto (Chairman of the Board from 2019 to 2025), Paulo Roberto Schefer (Chairman from 2013 to 2016), and Rosnei Alfredo Silva (Chairman from 2016 to 2019). ry Board Members of Abicalçados are Caetano Bianco Neto (Chairman of the Board from 2019 to 2025), Paulo Roberto Schefer (Chairman from 2013 to 2016), and Rosnei Alfredo Silva (Chairman from 2016 to 2019).

The 4th edition of BFSHOW, the biggest footwear tradeshow in Latin America, brought together 353 Brazilian brands from May 19 to 21 at the Anhembi District in São Paulo/SP. The event was marked by closed deals on-site. Exhibitors highlighted the effectiveness of the record visitation, with over 12,300 buyers attending, including 1,200 from 60 countries. The total transaction volume will be announced in the coming days. The tradeshow is organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and managed by NürnbergMesse Brasil.

The Executive President of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, emphasized that the event demonstrated the strength of Brazil's footwear production, the fourth largest in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. “Brazil is a major global showcase for footwear with design, innovation, and sustainability. BFSHOW, which featured companies responsible for more than 70% of national production, was a clear demonstration of this. Buyers, in addition to coming in large numbers, also closed deals,” Ferreira commented, adding that the “barometer” presented at the tradeshow offers optimism for the sector, which is expected to grow by more than 2% in 2025, reaching a production of over 940 million pairs of shoes.

Latin America’s Leading Trade Show
The CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, celebrated the fact that BFSHOW, now in its fourth edition, has already become the biggest tradeshow in the sector in Latin America. “With 30% more space, the tradeshow will continue to grow in the coming years,” he celebrated. “All the exhibitors we spoke with were very satisfied with the national and international visitation. The feeling is one of a job well done,” the CEO remarked, highlighting that 76% of the spaces for the November edition have already been sold.

Exhibitors
Having participated in trade shows for over 20 years, the CEO of Polo Go (Nova Serrana/MG), Ricardo Campos, stated that the company’s sales target was achieved on the first day of the event. “I’ve been attending trade shows for many years, in all states, and this one was the best in terms of business,” he said. A brand of the Ride group, which grew nearly 400% in revenue during the first quarter, Polo Go is confident about increasing sales in 2025.

Mariana Thomasi, Head of Revenue at Linus, São Paulo/SP, highlighted the qualified visitation of national and international buyers invited to the event. “The contacts were very qualified, and this was reflected at the tradeshow. We are excited about our participation, and this is certainly the beginning of a great partnership that will help position Linus in the B2B market,” Mariana emphasized, praising the large number of importers visiting the event, particularly from Latin America.

Suzana Santos, from São João Batista/SC, was also pleased with her company’s participation in the event. “We had excellent results, with the collection being well-received by the market,” celebrated Suzana Santos, the company’s Creative and Commercial Director. According to her, the international visitation was significant. “BFSHOW is on par with any international tradeshow when it comes to attracting buyers. We opened new export markets in the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe,” she said.

Buyers
Lorena Bertu, Director of Loff Shoes, Belo Horizonte/MG, shared that she found new suppliers of premium footwear at the tradeshow. “The event presented an important variety of 'finds'—leather shoes from smaller, more exclusive brands. We left here with all the purchases for our second semester,” she said.

Camille Torres Jara, Purchasing Manager at Nievecitas, Ecuador, attended BFSHOW for the third time. “From the beginning, we’ve worked with Brazilian footwear because it has unique design, technology, and is made with high quality. The event is excellently organized, with a mix of interesting products. We are progressively increasing the volume of Brazilian footwear purchases, and in this edition, we closed about 10% more deals than last May,” she stated.

The next edition of BFSHOW will take place from November 10 to 12 at the Anhembi District in São Paulo/Brazil. The May 2026 edition will be held from May 18 to 20, at the same location.

Com crescimento de 4,3% na sua produção em 2024, a indústria calçadista brasileira ultrapassou os números registrados na pré-pandemia, em 2019, alcançando mais de 929 milhões de pares produzidos. O dado foi apresentado na coletiva de imprensa realizada hoje (20) na BFSHOW, feira calçadista que acontece no Distrito Anhembi, em São Paulo/SP, entre os dias 19 e 21 de maio. 

Na oportunidade, em que também foi lançado o Relatório Indústria de Calçados – Brasil 2025, publicado pela Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Calçados (Abicalçados), o presidente-executivo da entidade calçadista, Haroldo Ferreira, destacou as projeções para o ano. Segundo ele, em 2025, a indústria deve crescer entre 1,4% e 2,2%, chegando ao maior volume de calçados produzidos em 11 anos (entre 942,5 milhões e 949,9 milhões de pares produzidos). “A BFSHOW vem mostrando que chegaremos a esses números, que devem ser impulsionados, principalmente, pelas exportações, que devem crescer entre 2,1% e 5,2% ao longo do ano”, projetou. Já o consumo interno, que foi o motor do crescimento no ano passado, quando cresceu 8,4%, deve crescer menos. Ferreira frisou que, no primeiro trimestre de 2025, o crescimento da produção ficou em torno de 1%, ainda abaixo da banda projetada. “Porém, nos próximos meses devemos registrar um incremento mais significativo”, disse. 

Estados Unidos

O executivo da Abicalçados destacou que as projeções mais otimistas levam em consideração reflexos da guerra tributária entre Estados Unidos e China, que tem feito com que compradores norte-americanos busquem mais o mercado brasileiro. “Embora tudo possa mudar, bastando um canetaço de Trump, existe uma instabilidade no mercado e os compradores dos Estados Unidos vêm buscando fornecedores alternativos aos chineses”, explicou, ressaltando a presença de muitos compradores norte-americanos na BFSHOW. 

Importações

“Mas nem todas as notícias são positivas”. Dessa forma Ferreira introduziu um tema que tem preocupado a indústria calçadista nacional: as importações. Segundo ele, com a guerra comercial em curso, os exportadores chineses vêm buscando “desovar” sua produção em mercados que não o norte-americano, inundando não somente mercados cativos para o calçado brasileiro no exterior, mas o próprio mercado interno. “No primeiro quadrimestre, as importações alcançaram 16,6 milhões de pares, 28% mais do que no mesmo período do ano passado. Desses, a maior parte são provenientes da China, Vietnã e Indonésia”, comentou. 

Para conter o problema da invasão de calçados asiáticos, o dirigente da Abicalçados frisou que a entidade vem trabalhando com o Governo Federal para o aperfeiçoamento de mecanismos de defesa comercial, como as cotas de importação. Conforme levantamento da Inteligência de Mercado da Abicalçados, a cada 1 milhão de pares importados são perdidas, ou deixadas de serem criadas, 2,2 mil vagas na indústria calçadista brasileira. “É um problema muito sério e que vem sendo trabalho no âmbito federal”, concluiu. 

Números da feira

O CEO da NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, destacou o crescimento da BFSHOW, que na sua quarta edição já é a maior feira calçadista da América Latina. “Nesta edição, tivemos um crescimento de 30%, com um espaço total de 32 mil metros quadrados e mais de 350 marcas brasileiras. Já o pré-credenciamento de visitantes, entre lojistas e importadores, foi 60% maior do que na edição anterior, o que nos permite ter uma projeção bastante positiva com relação à visitação”, explicou. 

Competitividade

Representando a Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportações e Investimentos (ApexBrasil), parceira na realização do Projeto Comprador da feira, por meio do Brazilian Footwear, a gerente de Indústria e Serviço da agência federal, Maria Paula Velloso, destacou a importância da feira para o fomento das exportações de calçados. “A Abicalçados é uma das principais parceiras da ApexBrasil para alavancar as exportações brasileiras”, disse. Segundo ela, a indústria calçadista brasileira, como a principal produtora do Ocidente, tem muito espaço para crescimento no mercado internacional. 

Movimento Próximos Passos RS

Lançado na feira do ano passado, o Movimento Próximos Passos RS, que ajudou mais de 3 mil pessoas atingidas diretamente pelas enchentes que assolaram o Rio Grande do Sul em maio de 2024, teve seus resultados apresentados. Ao todo, o Movimento, realizado pela Abicalçados em parceria com a  Associação Brasileira das Empresas de Componentes para Couro, Calçados e Artefatos  (Assintecal), Centro das Indústrias de Curtumes do Brasil (CICB) e empresários do setor, arrecadou mais de R$ 6,4 milhões em doações. O benefício foi distribuído, diretamente, para 3,17 mil pessoas em 33 cidades nos vales do Sinos, do Taquari e do Paranhana. 

Relatório

O Relatório Indústria de Calçados – Brasil 2025, lançado no evento com dados detalhados da indústria calçadista nacional e projeções, pode ser baixado gratuitamente no link https://www.abicalcados.com.br/publicacoes#nav-6. 

Também participaram da coletiva de imprensa o CEO do Bischoff Group, Jorge Bischoff; a diretora da Strike, Beth Brito; a diretora-executiva do Grupo Sugar Shoes, Rodaika Diel; o presidente da Klin, Carlos Mestriner; e o diretor comercial da Di Valentini, José Filho. 

DADOS 2024

PRODUÇÃO DE CALÇADOS (TRIMESTRE); +0,8% em relação ao mesmo período de 2024, para 212 milhões de pares

CONSUMO INTERNO (TRIMESTRE): +0,1% em relação ao mesmo período de 2024 

EXPORTAÇÕES US$ (QUADRIMESTRE): +1,5% (US$ 349 milhões)

EXPORTAÇÕES PARES (QUADRIMESTRE):+9,7% (39 milhões de pares)

DESTINOS QUADRIMESTRE: ARG (passou os EUA), EUA e FRA (em US$)

ORIGENS QUADRIMESTRE: RS, CE e SP (em US$)

IMPORTAÇÕES US$ (QUADRIMESTRE): +23,4% (US$ 188,9 milhões)

IMPORTAÇÕES PARES (QUADRIMESTRE): +28,3% (16,5 milhões de pares)

EMPREGO (TRIMESTRE): Criados +9 mil postos no período, terminando março com 291,3 mil postos diretos na atividade, 1,5% mais do que no ínterim correspondente de 2024.

PROJEÇÕES 2025

PRODUÇÃO EM PARES: Crescimento entre 1,4% e 2,2% (o maior volume em 11 anos)

EXPORTAÇÕES EM US$: Crescimento entre 2,1% e 5,2%

EXPORTAÇÕES EM PARES: Crescimento entre 1,2% e 4,1%

With a 30% growth compared to its most recent edition, BFSHOW officially opened with 353 footwear brands from all of Brazil’s manufacturing hubs. During the opening ceremony, the strength of the industry was emphasized — even amid international economic instability, the sector is projecting growth of over 2% throughout 2025. The fourth edition of the show, taking place from May 19 to 21 at the Anhembi District in São Paulo, is expected to welcome more than 10,000 retailers from every Brazilian state, along with around 1,200 importers from 62 countries. The trade show is organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and NürnbergMesse Brasil.

On the occasion, the Executive President of the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), Haroldo Ferreira, emphasized the growth of the show organized by the national footwear industry through its representative entity: “It’s important to highlight that the strength of the Brazilian footwear sector is a direct result of the companies themselves, which — despite all the challenges, widely reported in the media every day — continue to create products with outstanding sustainability, quality, and design, supplying not only Brazil but also more than 160 countries around the world.” According to him, BFSHOW is more than just a trade show — it is “a tribute to the Brazilian footwear industry and to the national expertise in shoe manufacturing.” 

João Paulo Picolo, CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, highlighted the rapid growth of BFSHOW, which in just its fourth edition has already become the biggest trade show for the sector in Latin America. “We are among the three largest event organizers in the country, with a portfolio of more than 15 business trade shows across 28 different industries. And BFSHOW, now in its fourth edition, proudly stands as one of the greatest symbols of that growth. This edition brought remarkable results, including a record-breaking buyer project with 681 national and international buyers invited by the trade show and Abicalçados through Brazilian Footwear — the export promotion program carried out in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil),” he said. 

Resilience

Representing the Government of São Paulo, the State Secretary for Government and Institutional Relations, Gilberto Kassab, emphasized the resilience of an industry that “makes Brazil proud.” “The footwear sector has faced countless challenges over the past decades and has continued to grow thanks to the strength of its companies. Of course, it still needs support, but it is a very strong segment of our economy and a driver of development across the country,” he said. 

The footwear hub of Rio Grande do Sul was represented by the state’s Secretary of Economic Development, Ernani Polo. “The footwear industry is strategic for the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and it is essential that we work together — government and industry — to support its development,” said the secretary, adding that one-third of the brands exhibiting at BFSHOW are based in Rio Grande do Sul. 

Payroll Tax Relief

Representing the presidency of the Federal Chamber of Deputies, Congresswoman Any Ortiz highlighted the partnership between lawmakers and the Brazilian footwear industry. She recalled the recent extension of the payroll tax relief, which — although not fully preserved — was ultimately secured after extensive negotiations between Congress and the Federal Government, and will remain in effect through the end of 2027. “This trade show is our foundation for defending the renewal of payroll tax relief. The development of the sector depends on a lower tax burden, as a means to foster formal employment by improving the competitiveness of our industry,” she stated.

The opening ceremony also featured a video message from Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, who is currently in Rome. In the video, he emphasized the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the competitive conditions for national industry, citing the recently issued decree that regulates the law on accelerated depreciation. 

SERVICE
4th BFSHOW
Date: May 19-21 - from 9 AM to 7 PM on May 19-20, and from 9 AM to 5 PM on May 21
Location: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana, São Paulo, Brazil)
More information and registration: www.bfshow.com.br www.bfshow.com.br.

The 4th edition of BFSHOW, the largest footwear trade show in Latin America, will not only generate business but also, for the first time, host talks focused on trends and business insights. Organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil, the event will feature 353 exhibiting brands from May 19 to 21 at the Anhembi District in São Paulo/ Brazil

All presentations will take place at the Arena BFSHOW. On May 19, the program kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with Luana Lanzini and Luana Savadintzky, founders of the fashion and research platform Fashion Directions. Titled “Trends & Colors That Sell,” the talk will explore key trends and color palettes set to define the upcoming season, along with practical strategies for applying them to attract new customers. The second presentation of the day, scheduled for 6 p.m., will be led by Richard Stad, CEO of Aramis. Invited by the Sugar Shoes Group, the executive will speak under the theme “The Power of Restlessness,” sharing his leadership journey and the strategy that enabled the brand to double its revenue.

On the second day, May 20, Fashion Directions returns to the Arena BFSHOW for a presentation on “Key Products for the Upcoming Season.” Starting at 5:30 p.m., retailers will get an overview of the most sought-after items for the next fashion cycle.Later that day, at 6 p.m., the focus shifts to “The Power of Content to Drive Sales,” a session led by Isabella Aredes, content manager at the platform Steal The Look. In her talk, Isabella will explore how to turn trends and digital behavior into narratives that connect, engage, and sell—combining data, creativity, and authenticity.

The day of presentations wraps up at 6:30 p.m. with the panel “Influencer Marketing: Content, Creators, and Relevance,” featuring Isabella Aredes (Steal The Look), Bruna Olivo (Lança Perfume), and Luciana Wozdik (Arezzo&Co). The discussion promises valuable insights into the real impact of influencer marketing on the fashion industry.

The final day of BFSHOW (May 21) begins earlier, at 10:30 a.m. On this occasion, Caito Maia, founder of Chilli Beans, will take the stage with the talk “Building a Successful Brand.” Known for his bold style and forward-thinking approach, Maia—invited by Ramarim—will share how he built Chilli Beans by combining technology, purpose, and branding. He will also reveal, firsthand, a new development in the sneaker segment.

Immediately after, at 11:30 a.m., the talk “Sportiness on the Rise in Retail” will be presented by the “Luanas” from Fashion Directions. The specialists will discuss how the sporty aesthetic is reshaping retail—and how brands can tap into this trend to develop collections that are both modern and commercially appealing.

Check out the full schedule on the website. link.

SERVICE
4th BFSHOW
Date: May 19-21 - from 9 AM to 7 PM on May 19-20, and from 9 AM to 5 PM on May 21
Location: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana, São Paulo, Brazil)

With 353 Brazilian brands already confirmed, the 4th edition of BFSHOW will host 681 buyers, including 175 international guests. As the biggest footwear trade show in Latin America, the event will take place from May 19 to 21 at Distrito Anhembi, in São Paulo/SP. More than 10,000 retailers and importers are expected over the three-day event — including guests selected in partnership with the exhibitors. The trade show is an initiative by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and is organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil.

Letícia Sperb Masselli, Relationship and Business Manager at Abicalçados, explains that the national and international guests were selected based on recommendations from the exhibitors. The invitations were extended by Abicalçados, through the Brazilian Footwear program — an export promotion initiative carried out in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) — as well as by the trade show itself. “Because BFSHOW was created by the footwear industry and is led by it, the event takes a collaborative and democratic approach, with decisions made alongside the exhibitors,” she says. The show is expected to receive more than 10,000 buyers, including 1,200 international guests from every continent. “Most domestic retailers and international importers attend independently, drawn by the largest footwear showcase in Latin America gathered in one place,” Letícia concludes.

30% growth in floor space
This edition of BFSHOW has grown by 30% in exhibition area, reaching over 32,000 square meters at Distrito Anhembi — making it the largest footwear trade show in Latin America. “At the fair, we bring together all footwear hubs, company sizes, segments, and niches,” says Rico Azeredo, Head of New Business at NürnbergMesse Brasil, emphasizing that the event marks the resurgence of large-scale footwear trade shows in Brazil.

Local buyers
One of the confirmed local buyers at BFSHOW is Alexya Nogueira, from Grupo Oscar — one of the leading retail groups in Brazil, with more than 180 physical stores across five states: São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Pernambuco. “We’re looking for variety and new women’s footwear collections, and BFSHOW delivers a very complete experience, combining fashion, trends, and fresh launches,” she emphasizes.

Meirielle Cajueiro de Oliveira Torres, buyer at W&M, based in Recife/PE, has been sourcing footwear and accessories at BFSHOW for the past two years. “The trade show is a valuable opportunity to connect with suppliers, buyers, and potential partners,” she says.

International buyers
One of the confirmed international buyers is David Benzikry, CEO of Spring Footwear Corp., from the United States. Already working with Brazilian brands, he says this will be his first time attending BFSHOW. “We import more than US$50 million in footwear annually and are the largest national footwear distribution chain in the U.S. Brazilian footwear is a blend of fashion, functionality, and feeling,” he says. According to Benzikry, the company plans to establish new contacts at BFSHOW. “The tariffs between China and the U.S. are playing a key role in driving our search for new partners in Brazil,” he adds.

Nina Di Matteo, buyer at H & B Links Pty, from Australia, imports between 3,000 and 5,000 pairs of Brazilian shoes annually. “We want to increase that volume, as both of our stores sell exclusively Brazilian products. At the trade show, we’re looking for new suppliers of leather footwear,” she says.

Buyer Palath Veettil Muhammed Saheer, from Jamjoom Fashion in the United Arab Emirates, also plans to expand his selection of Brazilian products through new business at BFSHOW. “We already import Brazilian footwear for our 60 stores and want to continue strengthening this partnership,” he says. According to him, Brazilian footwear is in high demand in the Arab market due to its quality and design.

SERVICE
4th BFSHOW
Date: May 19-21 - from 9 AM to 7 PM on May 19-20, and from 9 AM to 5 PM on May 21
Location: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana, São Paulo, Brazil)

The biggest footwear trade show in Latin America, BFSHOW brings together all of Brazil’s footwear hubs and serves every product segment. For its 4th edition, the event—hosted by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil—is expected to feature more than 350 Brazilian brands across an area of over 30,000 square meters. The trade show will take place from May 19 to 21 at Distrito Anhembi, in São Paulo- Brazil, and registration is now open for visitors from both the domestic and international markets at www.bfshow.com.br.

The industry’s projected growth in production for 2025 sets an optimistic tone for BFSHOW, which will showcase Spring/Summer collections—typically the most profitable season for Brazil’s footwear sector—during its May edition. “BFSHOW will serve as a barometer likely to confirm our forecast of around 2% growth in footwear production throughout 2025,” says Haroldo Ferreira, Executive President of Abicalçados. According to him, while the global outlook remains uncertain—particularly due to the ongoing trade war—there is strong domestic demand and rising interest from international buyers, especially from the United States. “Since the U.S. announced a 145% tariff on Chinese footwear, we’ve seen growing interest from American buyers looking for alternatives to Chinese suppliers,” he explains. BFSHOW is expected to receive over 10,000 visits, including approximately 1,200 international buyers from every continent.

According to João Paulo Picolo, CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, BFSHOW has already established itself as the key meeting point between Brazil’s footwear industry and the global market. “In May, the leading footwear producer in the Western world—offering product diversity, quality, sustainability, and competitive pricing—will be at the trade show. BFSHOW is emerging as the main international sourcing platform for both domestic and international buyers in Latin America. All production hubs, product segments, and niche markets will be represented—from shoemakers to high-end boutiques,” he emphasizes.

Strong presence from Minas Gerais
One of the key footwear hubs featured at BFSHOW is Nova Serrana, located in the state of Minas Gerais, which will be represented by 74 exhibiting brands. Known for its focus on athletic footwear, the Minas Gerais cluster produces over 124 million pairs of shoes per year—accounting for 15% of Brazil’s total footwear output.

One of the confirmed exhibitors is Strike, from Nova Serrana. Producing over 2,000 pairs of sneakers per day for both domestic and international markets—with a focus on South America—the company has high expectations for BFSHOW. “We’re bringing an outstanding collection that will definitely catch buyers’ attention. In addition, we’ll be unveiling exclusive projects during the event,” says Strike’s Marketing Manager, Matheus Henrique Alves. According to him, the trade show serves as a key indicator that helps guide the company’s collection development and short-term commercial strategies. “We’re truly excited and have high hopes of welcoming loyal clients and opening up new markets during the event,” he adds.

According to Cíntia Costa Soares, Commercial and Development Director at Via Vip, participating in BFSHOW is now part of the company’s annual calendar—especially after the event’s move to São Paulo/SP. “We’ve taken part in every edition of BFSHOW, and the results have been excellent. In São Paulo, our company from Nova Serrana has secured more direct business connections and strengthened relationships,” she says. Producing an average of 4,000 pairs per day—ranging from sneakers to boots for both children and adults—Via Vip is optimistic about 2025. “At the trade show, we’re aiming to close sales geared toward Children’s Day, but we’ll also be presenting new collections and gauging retailers’ reactions firsthand. With these new products, we hope to reach every type of customer,” Cíntia adds.

São Paulo embraces BFSHOW
With 96 exhibitors confirmed, the state of São Paulo—responsible for more than 44 million pairs of shoes annually—has fully embraced the trade show organized by Abicalçados. Home to major names such as Alpargatas, maker of the Havaianas brand, São Paulo’s footwear sector will be strongly represented at the event, with new releases from companies of all sizes. One of the regional clusters taking part is Jaú, a city known for its women’s footwear production. For the local manufacturers, BFSHOW is a valuable opportunity to expand business both in Brazil and abroad.

Santa Flor, based in Jaú, has been part of BFSHOW since its second edition—the first one held in São Paulo—and expects a high volume of visitors from both domestic and international markets. “The trade show is essential for the industry, and moving it to São Paulo was a smart decision. It makes it easier for buyers from Brazil and abroad to attend and helps consolidate the calendar around a single, truly national-level footwear event,” says Helder Fernando Rascachi, the company’s Commercial Manager. Santa Flor produces more than 2,000 pairs of women’s shoes per day, 3% of which are exported.

The positive outlook is shared by Giovanna Mott, Director at Mariotta, also based in Jaú. “We’re feeling very optimistic about the upcoming BFSHOW, as the May edition traditionally coincides with a key buying season for retailers—summer collections,” she points out. According to Giovanna, both retailers and importers attend the event looking for products and opportunities tied to the most lucrative time of the year, which, according to Abicalçados, accounts for around 70% of annual footwear sales in Brazil. “At the most recent edition, we saw a strong turnout of both domestic and international buyers, creating excellent business opportunities,” she notes. For Giovanna, the event plays a vital role in showcasing the quality and diversity of Brazilian footwear to the world. Today, Mariotta produces 100,000 pairs of women’s shoes per month, exporting 15% of its output.

Ceará’s strength on display
The state of Ceará will be represented at BFSHOW by 23 exhibiting brands. Accounting for over 26% of Brazil’s total footwear production (around 225 million pairs per year), the Ceará footwear industry focuses primarily on Spring/Summer collections, offering high-quality flip-flops and beach sandals to both the domestic and international markets. With skilled labor, cutting-edge technology, and competitive pricing, Ceará is a major player in the sector.

One of the exhibitors from Ceará at BFSHOW is Tropical Brasil, a producer of flip-flops and beach sandals from Juazeiro do Norte. The company’s director, Ananias Neto, emphasizes that expectations for the trade show are very high. “This will be our second time participating in the event, and at our first edition, we had an extremely positive experience, generating numerous business opportunities both in the domestic and international markets,” he says. "Our participation provided excellent visibility and further solidified Tropical Brasil’s position within the national footwear ecosystem,” says Neto. For him, BFSHOW has become much more than just a business event. “It’s a strategic moment to update footwear fashion trends, strengthen ties with industry partners, and reaffirm the importance and strength of Brazil’s footwear market. It’s a showcase that demonstrates to both Brazil and the world the size, seriousness, and relevance of our sector,” says the director, who expresses his excitement for the upcoming edition. “Our expectation is to open new business opportunities, strengthen relationships with current clients, and resume conversations with international partners,” he concludes. Today, Tropical Brasil produces 240,000 pairs per month, exporting 5% of its output.

The ease of logistics, with the addition of a major national trade show in São Paulo, is highlighted by another exhibitor from the Northeast, Vizzia, a producer of sandals from Juazeiro do Norte. “The move of BFSHOW to São Paulo was very important, as it makes it easier for both national and international buyers to attend, streamlining the overall logistics of the event. We expect BFSHOW to bring back the best moments of the commercial trade shows that used to take place in São Paulo. The summer collection launch period is our key moment for exposure, so expectations are very high, especially in the international market,” says the company’s Export Manager, André Duarte Santos. Today, Vizzia produces an average of 15,000 to 16,000 pairs per day, exporting around 10%.

SERVICE
4th BFSHOW
Date: May 19-21 - from 9 AM to 7 PM on May 19-20, and from 9 AM to 5 PM on May 21
Location: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana, São Paulo, Brazil)

The surge in Brazilian footwear exports during the first two months of the year—more than 21 million pairs shipped, a 14.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024—is fueling optimism among footwear manufacturers ahead of the fourth edition of BFSHOW. Recognized as the biggest footwear trade show in Latin America in terms of both space and number of participating brands, the event will take place from May 19 to 21 at Distrito Anhembi, in São Paulo, Brazil.

Abicalçados’ Relationship and Business Manager, Letícia Sperb Masselli, emphasizes that the trade show has been attracting both domestic and, especially, international buyers seeking the excellence of Brazilian footwear. “Brazil is the leading footwear supplier outside Asia, combining quality and competitive pricing, particularly given the current exchange rate,” she explains. According to her, BFSHOW has already become an international reference for Brazilian footwear. “Since its first edition, the trade show has stood out for the opportunities and business generated for the international market. BFSHOW is the right place to win over international clients without leaving Brazil,” she adds.

Rico Azeredo, Head of New Business at NürnbergMesse Brasil, highlights the strong potential of the buyers registering for the event. “We already have confirmed buyers from key international markets, and we are seeing growing interest from the United States, Argentina, and European countries such as Spain, which in 2025 became the third-largest destination for Brazilian footwear abroad,” he notes. The organizer projects that the event will welcome more than 1,200 international buyers from all continents.

The prospect of boosting exports—or even kickstarting them—is one of the key reasons hundreds of companies participate in BFSHOW. Among them is Crep, a children's footwear manufacturer from São José dos Campos, São Paulo. The company’s CFO, Carla Crepaldi, shares that in November 2024, the brand secured its first international client at BFSHOW. “Since the second edition, we had been in talks with a major Peruvian wholesaler, but we had not yet formalized the export deal. Last November, we made our first international sale, and from now on, we plan to strengthen our presence in this market,” she says.

United States Sets Its Sights on Brazil
One of the confirmed international buyers is David Benzikry, CEO of Spring Footwear Corp., from the United States. Already working with Brazilian brands, he says this will be his first time attending BFSHOW. “We import more than US$50 million in footwear annually and are the largest national footwear distribution chain in the U.S. Brazilian footwear is a blend of fashion, functionality, and feeling,” he says. According to Benzikry, the company plans to establish new contacts at BFSHOW. “The tariffs between China and the U.S. are playing a key role in driving our search for new partners in Brazil,” he adds.

Summer Appeal in Spain
Another confirmed buyer at BFSHOW is Jose Antonio Albero, CEO of Nuez Moscada SL from Spain. With 400 stores across the country, the group already works with several Brazilian footwear companies and imports more than 20,000 pairs of Brazilian shoes annually. “Brazilian footwear is synonymous with vacations, leisure, and summer. For a country like Spain, where tourism is booming and summers are getting longer, Brazil offers the right product, combining competitive pricing with quality,” he says. At BFSHOW, Albero plans to visit existing suppliers and seek new manufacturers in the segment.

With a total area of over 32,000 square meters, the fourth edition of BFSHOW has already sold 93% of its exhibition spaces to Brazilian brands. Exhibitors interested in participating can visit the "QUERO EXPOR" section on the event’s website. Buyers can also use the same site to complete their pre-registration. www.bfshow.com.br. Neste mesmo site, compradores podem realizar o credenciamento antecipado.

SERVICE

4th BFSHOW
Date: May 19–21
Location: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana, São Paulo, Brazil)