Author: Diego

Com o encerramento de sua 3ª edição, a BFSHOW, evento realizado pela Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Calçados (Abicalçados) e organizado pela NürnbergMesse Brasil, consolidou sua posição como a principal feira dedicada ao segmento calçadista na América Latina, destacando-se pela representatividade, alcance internacional e resultados expressivos. O evento aconteceu no Distrito Anhembi, em São Paulo/SP, entre os dias 11 e 13 de novembro.

Em novembro, a feira reuniu 330 marcas e 238 expositores, ocupando um espaço de 11.611 m² expositivos dentro de uma área total de 25.000 m². Com a participação de compradores de 51 países como Argentina, Equador, Paraguai, Israel, Kuwait, Líbia, Moçambique, Botswana, Portugal, Suíça e Eslovênia, o evento recebeu um total de 10.495 visitantes em três dias de evento, sendo 1.130 estrangeiros, o que reflete a abrangência e o prestígio da BFSHOW. “A BFSHOW confirmou as projeções do setor calçadista brasileiro, que é de crescer mais de 3% em 2024 e mais 2% em 2025. Foi uma vitrine do calçado brasileiro para o mundo e seguirá assim, sendo um termômetro de uma atividade tão relevante para o Brasil”, avalia a gerente de Negócios e Relacionamento da Abicalçados, Letícia Sperb Masselli.

Outro ponto de destaque na feira foi o Programa Comprador, uma parceria entre a Abicalçados, a Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportação e Investimentos (ApexBrasil) e a NürnbergMesse Brasil, que trouxe 638 compradores, sendo 478 nacionais e 160 internacionais. “Os números são expressivos e nos dizem muito sobre o potencial do mercado. A feira é nova, está em sua terceira edição, com duas delas realizadas já na capital paulista. A vinda para São Paulo foi estratégica para fomentar ainda mais os negócios e facilitar a presença de expositores e visitantes”, reforça Rico Azeredo, Head de Novos Negócios da NürnbergMesse Brasil.
Além dos números significativos, a BFSHOW tem se destacado por trazer o que há de mais atual na indústria calçadista brasileira, consolidando seu papel como referência para negócios, inovações e conexões estratégicas no setor latino-americano.

A próxima edição do evento será entre os dias 19 e 21 de maio de 2025, no Distrito Anhembi. Para mais informações, acesse o site: bfshow.com.br.

The 3rd edition of BFSHOW, footwear fair that brought together more than 330 brands between November 11 and 13, in the Anhembi District, in São Paulo/SP, registered record visitation and business. According to the organization, over the three days more than 10.4 thousand buyers passed through the pavilions of the event, which is twice as many as in November 2023. According to the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), the deals took place in important volumes, which will be tabulated in the coming days.

The CEO of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, points out that BFSHOW will be decisive for the positive expectations of the sector. For 2024, the forecast for growth in production exceeds 3%, to more than 890 million pairs. By 2025, growth will be around 2%, causing the sector to recover losses from the pandemic and reach more than 900 million pairs produced. “We have here a great showcase of Brazilian footwear for the world. We gathered, in these three days, the main brands of the country and buyers from more than 60 countries”, evaluates the director, stressing that at the fair, significant business took place both in the domestic and international markets. "To attract buyers from abroad, BFSHOW worked together with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). With these projects alone, 160 importers and five international journalists were invited to promote our product abroad”, Ferreira lists.

According to the CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, with each edition, BFSHOW demonstrates its growth and, therefore, has consolidated itself so quickly as the main event of the Brazilian footwear sector. “The fair is already an indispensable meeting point for professionals and the partnership of NürnbergMesse Brasil with Abicalçados has been fundamental to this success”, he comments. The CEO also says that the results of the third edition exceeded all expectations. “We are confident that BFSHOW will continue to evolve and strengthen the national footwear market. No wonder it is already among the main events in the company's portfolio. For the next edition, in May 2025, we expect a growth of 20% when compared to the number of exhibitors and visitors”, he evaluates.

"Right place and right time”
For Marcos Huff, director of Killana, from Três Coroas / RS, BFSHOW is a consolidated fair as the main one in the Brazilian calendar. According to him, during the three days, the exhibition received national and international clients focused on business. “BFSHOW is in the right place and at the right time, with logistical facilities and a very clear positioning aimed at the business. It is very similar to the main fairs in Europe”, he evaluates. Huff also points out that the company, in addition to receiving traditional customers, has opened new markets in Latin America, North America and Europe. “We had much better results than the fair held in May. For the May 2025 edition, we are even more optimistic, " he adds. Currently, Killana has a production of about 13 thousand pairs per month, of which it exports 60%.

The fair was also very positive for Crep, children's footwear industry of São José dos Campos / SP. The company's financial director, Carla Crepaldi, says the company opened its first international client at BFSHOW. "Since the second edition, we've been talking to a large wholesaler from Peru, but we had not yet formalized the export. In this edition, we made our first international sale, a market that we will work harder on from now on”, she celebrates. With a production of 600 pairs per day, the company sees BFSHOW as an important sales and relationship platform with the national and international markets and has confirmed their presence for the May 2025 edition.

With a visitation “much higher than last May”, Di Valentini, from São João Batista/SC, was quite satisfied with BFSHOW. According to the director of the company, José Osterno Filho, the fair had customers focused on business. “We have acquired new clients both domestically and internationally – in Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, England and Guatemala,” he says. Producing 6.5 thousand pairs per day, Di Valentini exports about 12% of its production, mainly to South American markets.

Fidelis Ferreira, from the sales department at Calçados Maria Isabel, from Conceição do Coité/BA, says that he did good business at the event and left some others agreed upon for the post-fair. “I believe that we will have a growth between 20% and 30% in the business carried out here, in relation to the November 2023 fair, contact domestic and international market, from where we had visits from Canada and Argentina”, projects the shoemaker.

International
For the first time at BFSHOW, Arise buyer from Mozambique, Thembumenzi Souto, said that she has been buying premium Brazilian shoes since 2009, when she decided to exchange suppliers from Bulgaria for suppliers from Brazil. “When I met the Brazilian products, I realized that they had a much higher quality and variety. Currently, we work with seven brands from Brazil and BFSHOW is giving us the opportunity to expand our product mix here”, says the importer, stressing that the partnership of her network with the Brazilian footwear industry is very important for the company's growth.

National
Brazilian buyers were also positively surprised by the structure of the pavilions that hosted BFSHOW in the Anhembi District. Nostalgic for a time when large trade fairs took place on the site, before the renovation opened this year, shopkeepers stressed the quality of the renovation and the organization of the event. “I really liked the structure, with easy access and good distribution by segments”, evaluates the shopkeeper Vinícius Liessi dos Santos, from Calçado Franca, from Maringá/PR. According to him, the network closed deals and left many others agreed upon for the coming months.

The next edition of the BFSHOW will also take place in the Anhembi District, in São Paulo/SP, between May 19th and 21st, 2025.

As leading men's footwear brands are showcasing their new collections through Wednesday at BFSHOW, the largest footwear trade show in Brazil, held at the newly opened Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo. Functional footwear is the common trend, with a spotlight on boots — whether they’re utilitarian, sporty, or casual styles suitable for both work and city wear.

One of the exhibiting brands, Democrata, presents its new collection featuring nine boot styles. The “Dusty” line brings an urban aesthetic with distressed leather and a vintage look. Another innovation from the brand is the new addition to the “Pulse” line, now with TPU-capsule soles on casual shoes. This collection's campaign stars Cauã Reymond and Gisele Bündchen.

Macboot, known particularly for its boots, combines comfort and durability in footwear designed for both daily use and outdoor activities. According to Renato Virgilio, Marketing Coordinator, a highlight for BFSHOW is the new Flutua+ technology, now present in nearly all Macboot lines, offering a non-slip sole and EVA midsole that provides maximum cushioning and added lightness. “We’re also adding a touch of sportiness and casual style to our Adventure line, making it a shoe suitable for urban environments too, taking you from the trail to the workplace,” he adds.

Ferracini's latest releases emphasize usability and diverse approaches with a desire for unique acquisitions. Their new lines include shoes and ankle boots that showcase a modern twist, featuring square shapes. The designs are also versatile and include an easywear system — reinforcing the brand’s goal to make footwear easier to slip on, catering to various needs.

Polo Go brings a sporty touch with cleat-style shoes inspired by iconic soccer styles. Known for its urban and casual portfolio with flat sneakers, the brand now adds a sporty element to its range. “These cleat-inspired shoes are highly popular here at BFSHOW, especially among trendsetters. It’s the product that has drawn the most attention from visitors. We’ve also introduced larger sizes, up to 44 and 45, which has been well received given the strong market demand,” says André Costa, CEO of Grupo Ride, which includes Polo Go alongside three other brands: Kids & Baby, Secrets, and Keep GOing.

Brazil's domestic market, which absorbs over 85% of national footwear industry sales, is expected to sustain the sector’s production growth through 2024 and 2025. This topic, alongside issues such as unfair competition from Asian footwear and international e-commerce platforms, was addressed during the press conference of the third edition of BFSHOW. The event, which started yesterday (11), will run until tomorrow (13) at the Anhembi District in São Paulo, Brazil.

Emphasizing a 4.8% growth in footwear production from January to September this year, according to IBGE data, the Executive President of the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), Haroldo Ferreira, noted that the domestic market should support industry growth of over 3% in 2024 and approximately 2% in 2025. “With this, by 2025, we should be able to recover the losses incurred during the pandemic, which caused a major disruption in the sector. This year, we expect to close with a production of over 890 million pairs of shoes, reaching up to 904 million pairs next year. In 2019, production was 898 million pairs.”

Unfair Competition
Ferreira further stressed that the growth in the footwear industry could be even more significant if not for the unfair competition from Asian-made footwear and international e-commerce platforms. “In 2024, we expect exports to decrease by around 20% and imports to grow by over 20%, primarily due to Asian countries. These products enter the Brazilian market at prices below standard market rates, engaging in predatory competition with our industry,” he explained. According to him, Abicalçados is working to expand the current antidumping measures—which today apply to Chinese footwear with a surcharge of $10.22 per pair entering Brazil—to include Vietnam and Indonesia. “Currently, Chinese production is shifting to nearby countries with even lower labor costs, which continue to practice dumping,” he added.

Trade Show
Following this, the CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, highlighted BFSHOW’s growth, driven by increased production and demand in the domestic market. “We have here a trade show that demonstrates the strength of Brazil’s footwear sector. With 238 booths and over 330 brands of shoes spread across a total area of 25,000 square meters,” he shared. Expected to attract over 10,000 buyers from Brazil and 60 other countries, BFSHOW has now become the leading footwear trade show in South America.

International
Mariele Christ, Industry and Services Coordinator at the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), emphasized the international expansion of BFSHOW, which features two projects led by Abicalçados in collaboration with ApexBrasil through the Brazilian Footwear program. “The Brazilian Footwear program, renewed earlier this year, secures more than R$ 32 million in investments to promote Brazilian footwear exports over a two-year period,” she said. This third edition of the trade show includes the Buyer Project, hosting 26 international buyers from 16 countries, and the Image Project, which has invited five journalists from Angola, Chile, Colombia, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates. With the total number of buyers brought in through the joint effort of BFSHOW and both organizations, more than 180 importers from all continents are represented.

Challenges
Also present at the press conference, Pedro Bartelle, CEO of Vulcabras, Brazil’s leading producer of sports footwear, highlighted the issue of counterfeiting by showing a counterfeit “Olympikus” sneaker. “The Brazilian industry faces numerous challenges, from unfair competition to high taxes and labor costs, which are at least 40% higher than those in Asian countries. Counterfeiting is another serious issue in this list,” he stated.

The press conference was also attended by Roberto Argenta, President of Calçados Beira Rio; Vania Castilho Mestriner, Creative Director at World Colors; Paulo Barth, Commercial Director at Grendene; Rodrigo Martins, Commercial Director at Marina Mello; and Marcelo Paludetto, Commercial Manager at Democrata.

INDUSTRY DATA

2024 PRODUCTION (forecast): 882 million to 893 million pairs (growth of 1.9% to 3.2% compared to 2023)

2025 PRODUCTION (forecast): 897 million to 904 million pairs (growth of 1.1% to 1.9%)

DIRECT EMPLOYMENT AS OF SEPTEMBER 2024: 294.8 thousand (+14.6 thousand jobs created this year, though stock remains 2.1% lower than in the same period in 2023)

EXPORTS THROUGH OCTOBER 2024: 81.2 million pairs, -20.7% compared to the same period in 2023

2024 EXPORTS (forecast): 95.6 million to 101.2 million pairs (-19.2% to -14.5% compared to 2023)

IMPORTS THROUGH OCTOBER 2024: 29.8 million pairs, +20.9% compared to the same period in 2023 (three Asian countries—China, Vietnam, and Indonesia—account for approximately 80% of this volume)

The 3rd edition of BFSHOW, a footwear trade show featuring over 330 Brazilian footwear brands, opened on November 11 at Anhembi District in São Paulo, Brazil, reflecting the industry’s optimism and strong growth outlook for 2024 and 2025. 

Haroldo Ferreira, Executive President of the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), emphasizes that the rising demand, especially in the domestic market, brings renewed energy to the exhibiting footwear companies. “Not only has visitor traffic been excellent, but so have the results. Buyers are here, genuinely seeking to make deals and stock their shelves for the high summer and next winter season,” he comments, noting that growing domestic demand is fueling not just BFSHOW’s expansion but the entire footwear industry. “By year’s end, we expect production to increase by more than 3%, which will add to a projected growth of around 2% for 2025. With this momentum, we’ll surpass pre-pandemic production levels of 2019,” Ferreira highlights. 

João Paulo Picolo, CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, notes that from day one, BFSHOW has solidified its position as the premier business platform for the Brazilian footwear industry, bringing together brands from across Brazil and buyers from dozens of countries. “For three days, we’re offering a unique platform for exhibitors to showcase their latest products and strengthen their business networks. The new venue has also proven to be a great choice, providing easy access and a smooth flow of visitors,” he comments. 

Satisfied Exhibitors

Nelson Magagnin, Marketing Manager at Ramarim (Nova Hartz/RS), was impressed by the high visitor turnout on the fair’s first day. “The Ramarim booth was practically full all day long. Tomorrow should be an even better day,” he shares, adding that the brand welcomed buyers from all over Brazil and Latin America.

Representing the children’s footwear segment, Klin’s (Birigui/SP) Marketing Trade representative, Paulo Roberto Souza, described the first day as a success in building “valuable market relationships” and generating business leads. “Moreover, the show is very well-structured with a team ready to host our clients in style. We believe that tomorrow will be even stronger for business,” he highlights. 

BFSHOW

BFSHOW will run through Wednesday, November 13, and is expected to host over 10,000 buyers from 61 countries across its three days. The trade show is organized by Abicalçados in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil, a subsidiary of Germany’s NürnbergMesse Group. Learn more at www.bfshow.com.br. www.bfshow.com.br. 

Brazilians are increasingly taking up sports, evident in the recent boom in road running, athletic training services, and sports like padel and beach tennis. The “health generation” is trending, with the number of people joining the movement expected to rise. According to data from the Primary Healthcare Observatory by Umane, an association supporting public health promotion, 2023 saw the highest rate of active individuals since 2016, with an 8% increase. Young adults aged 18 to 24 lead this trend, being the most active demographic in the country.

The impact of this rise in sports participation is evident at BFSHOW, Brazil’s premier footwear trade show, held from November 11 to 13 at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo. Diego Guinzelli, Head of Topper and Rainha, noted that both brands have seen a surge in demand for athletic shoes: “Both brands have experienced strong growth across our ‘Movement’ line for lighter sports and high-performance products. The demand is especially growing for performance-focused items, indicating a consumer shift toward serious sports practice,” he explains. movement, de calçados para esportes mais leves, como a de alta performance. A demanda tem aumentado principalmente entre os produtos mais performáticos, o que indica que o público tem investido mais na prática de esportes”, explica.

Topper is unveiling its latest release at BFSHOW: the Dominator Fuse II, a highly advanced product featuring breathability, cushioning, and heat transfer to help prevent injuries. Other highlights from the event, showcasing key market trends, include the Corre Supra by Olympikus, Mizuno Wave Rider 10 by Mizuno, and Tribase Reps 2 by Under Armour, all from Vulcabras.

Pedro Bartelle, CEO of Vulcabras, remarked on the growth in demand for athletic footwear over the past year: “Sportswear consumption has risen, particularly post-pandemic, with this new road-running trend. We've seen a significant increase in demand for high-performance products,” he notes.

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

Recognized as the gateway of Brazilian footwear to the world, BFSHOW, held from November 11-13 at the Anhembi District in São Paulo, has confirmed the participation of 160 importers from 32 countries and 478 domestic buyers. These key players were invited through a collaborative effort by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), and NürnbergMesse Brasil. In addition to the invited attendees, the 3rd edition of the show is expected to attract over 10,000 Brazilian and international buyers who will come to explore the latest offerings from more than 320 confirmed footwear brands.

The 160 buyers, representing 100 international groups, are coming to Brazil through invitations extended by BFSHOW and the Buyer Project, an initiative of Brazilian Footwear in partnership with ApexBrasil. “We are bringing importers from many of the top players in the footwear market across nearly all continents. The business prospects are promising, considering both on-site sales volume and the diversification of our exports,” says Abicalçados’ Relationship and Business Manager, Letícia Sperb Masselli. International participation is anticipated to play a vital role in boosting footwear exports in the year’s final quarter. From January to September, the industry exported more than 71 million pairs of shoes to over 150 countries.

Domestic Market
From the domestic market, Abicalçados and NürnbergMesse Brasil are inviting 478 buyers from 290 retail groups across every Brazilian state, together representing more than 3,000 stores. “Between January and August, footwear consumption grew by over 9% in Brazil. This positive trend will be reflected at the event, where retailers are not only seeking the latest seasonal trends but also looking for ready-to-ship products,” comments NürnbergMesse Brasil’s Head of New Business, Rico Azeredo.

São Paulo
This year, BFSHOW is permanently moving to the Anhembi District, located in Latin America’s business capital. The goal is to establish a meeting point between the world and the leading footwear producer in the Western Hemisphere, the Brazilian industry, which is set to manufacture over 890 million pairs this year.

SERVICE
3rd BFSHOW
Date: November 11 to 13 - Monday and Tuesday (from 9 AM to 7 PM); and Wednesday (from 9 AM to 5 PM);
Location: Anhembi District (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209 - Santana, São Paulo/SP)

Brazilian Footwear Industry Expected to Produce Over 900 Million Pairs by 2025 The Covid-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the Brazilian footwear industry. Traditionally reliant on the domestic market, where more than 85% of produced pairs are sold, the sector saw steep declines due to restrictions on physical retail. In 2019, 898 million pairs were produced, a number that dropped to 746 million in 2020, then gradually rose to 855 million, 886 million, and 865 million in the following years. For 2024, the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados) projects a production increase of up to 3.2%, reaching over 890 million pairs. By 2025, the association estimates a full recovery to pre-2019 levels, with a growth of up to 1.9%, resulting in a production of 904 million pairs.

According to Abicalçados, the domestic market, which had been dragging the industry's performance down since 2019, will play a key role in this recovery, supported by declining unemployment rates and rising income among Brazilians. "Between January and September, the association estimates an over 9% increase in domestic footwear consumption, which includes imports," explains Abicalçados’ Executive President Haroldo Ferreira. To meet this heightened demand, the 3rd edition of BFSHOW, Brazil’s largest footwear trade show with over 290 confirmed brands, will be held in November. “Retailers need to stock up, especially with the year-end holidays approaching, which are historically significant for our industry. Expectations for the show are the most positive yet,” Ferreira adds. Besides showcasing the latest Fall-Winter collections, the event will feature exhibitors with ready-to-ship inventory to supply Brazilian retailers and international buyers.

BFSHOW
João Paulo Picolo, CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, organizer of BFSHOW, shared that they anticipate more than 10,000 Brazilian and international buyers from all continents. BFSHOW will take place from November 11 to 13 at Anhembi District in São Paulo/ Brazil, bringing together footwear manufacturers across all segments, regions, and sizes. “It’s the only event in the country where retailers can find everything from major manufacturers to small-scale industries catering to specific boutique niches,” Picolo emphasizes.

Retailers can register for BFSHOW at www.bfshow.com.br.

BFSHOW, the leading footwear trade show in Brazil, will debut at the Anhembi District in São Paulo, Brazil on November 11, 12, and 13, with a strong environmental commitment. The 3rd edition of the event aims to increase the recycling rate of waste generated inside the venue by 30% compared to previous editions. The focus is on making the trade show increasingly sustainable, and this increase represents significant progress in proper waste disposal efforts.

Additionally, the event, organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and NürnbergMesse Brasil, has been encouraging exhibitors to join the movement. “We offer the Nürnberg Shared Responsibility Seal, encouraging partners to offset their carbon emissions, an initiative that can also be included in their ESG reports,” says Caroline Guedes, ESG Operations Coordinator at NürnbergMesse Brasil.

NürnbergMesse Brasil was a pioneer in Brazil, promoting proper waste disposal at its business fairs even before it became law in the state of São Paulo. The project, launched in 2023, has already directed 946 tons of waste to recycling, all originating from events organized by the company, including BFSHOW.

Another priority for the 3rd edition of the trade show is social inclusion. In November, 10% of the job positions in the event’s organization will once again be allocated to social labor, in partnership with Apae Brasil. “With an estimated audience of thousands of visitors and over 290 participating brands, BFSHOW remains a reference not only in innovation within the footwear sector but also as a model event committed to sustainability and social responsibility,” explains Cristian Schlindwein, Marketing and Strategy Manager at Abicalçados.

Sustainability Arena
At the trade show, visitors will be able to explore the Sustainability Arena, located at the event's entrance. In addition to showcasing the sustainability practices of the show and the Sustainable Origin certification, the space will feature the BFSHOW Sustainable Footwear exhibit. This area will display footwear models from exhibitors who use sustainable materials and prioritize reducing the environmental impact of their activities. “Sustainability is a core value for the Brazilian footwear sector, Abicalçados, and BFSHOW, which is why it will be prominently showcased at the entrance of the event,” concludes Schlindwein.

SERVICE
3rd BFSHOW
Date: November 11 to 13 – Monday and Tuesday (9 AM to 7 PM); Wednesday (9 AM to 5 PM);
Venue: Anhembi District (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209 – Santana, São Paulo/Brazil)
More information: www.bfshow.com.br www.bfshow.com.br

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