Author: Diego

While preparing the latest releases for upcoming collections, the Brazilian footwear industry remains optimistic about its participation in the 5th edition of BFSHOW, the biggest footwear tradeshow in Latin America. Organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and hosted by NürnbergMesse Brasil, the event will take place from November 10 to 12 at Distrito Anhembi, in São Paulo/SP.

The Executive President of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, emphasizes that BFSHOW is the ideal moment for the Brazilian footwear industry to present its collections to buyers from Brazil and around the world. “In a time of international instability, the trade show becomes even more important,” he points out.

According to Felipe Marchiori, Head of BFSHOW at NürnbergMesse Brasil, the event — which has already sold 98% of its exhibition space to brands representing every footwear hub and segment — is expected to welcome more than 12,000 visitors from across Brazil, as well as importers from the world’s leading markets. “Our outlook couldn’t be better, given the current momentum in retail and the outstanding quality of our exhibitors,” he emphasizes.

One of the confirmed exhibitors is Lynd, from Nova Serrana/MG. According to its director, Ronaldo Lacerda, the trade show is gaining strong momentum. “It’s not just a place for prospecting, but for closing deals. It’s the ideal opportunity to showcase our complete collections to both domestic and international clients, all in one place,” he comments. He adds that the brand’s confidence in BFSHOW is reflected in the expansion of its booth, which grew from 68 square meters to more than 160 square meters for this fifth edition. “Our expectation for the show is to increase business by more than 300% compared to last November’s edition,” Lacerda concludes.

Taking part in BFSHOW since 2023, Sugar Shoes, from Picada Café/RS, views the trade show as a key opportunity to strengthen connections with both domestic and international markets. At the November 2024 edition, the company’s director, Rodaika Diel, recalls that the booth welcomed important partner visits, with face-to-face meetings that helped solidify ongoing negotiations. “But it was in the domestic market where we saw the greatest impact, with an 83% increase in visitation and twice as many deals compared to the previous edition,” she notes, adding that the company’s projection is to surpass the results achieved in November 2024.

Present at BFSHOW since its very first edition, Levecomfort, from Franca/SP, describes the trade show as “a gateway to new buyers, both domestic and international.” The company’s Marketing Coordinator, Andrew Caettano, points out that the event supports the brand not only in generating business but also in building relationships and gathering feedback on product developments. “In every edition of BFSHOW we’ve closed deals during the show and also prospected new opportunities that materialized afterwards,” he says. Caettano projects that the upcoming November edition will yield results surpassing those recorded at last year’s event.

BFSHOW is expected to host around 350 footwear brands from Brazil’s main production hubs, encompassing companies of all sizes, segments, and market niches.

SERVICE
5th BFSHOW
Date: November 10–12, 2025 – from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the 10th and 11th, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 12th
Location: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana, São Paulo, Brazil)

The 5th edition of BFSHOW, The biggest footwear tradeshow in Latin America, already has 26% more international buyers registered compared to the same period in 2024 (August-to-August). Organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and NürnbergMesse Brasil, the event will take place from November 10 to 12 at the Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo/SP. 

According to a report prepared by NürnbergMesse Brasil, importers from Germany, Argentina, Aruba, Botswana, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the United States, Gibraltar, Guatemala, Israel, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Tunisia, Turkey, and Uruguay have already registered. Abicalçados’ Relationship and Business Manager, Letícia Sperb Masselli, emphasizes that the fact that the trade show has become the main showcase for Brazilian footwear is drawing attention from buyers across all continents, including from markets that still do not import from Brazil. “We have the largest footwear industry in the Western world, offering quality, sustainability, and competitive prices. In this edition, as we face an unstable scenario regarding exports to the United States, the trade show becomes even more important for our industry, especially given the need to diversify markets,” said the manager.

Felipe Marchiori, Head of BFSHOW at NürnbergMesse Brasil, projects that more than one thousand importers from all continents are expected to attend the event. This presence will be driven by the combined efforts of the trade show’s projects and the Brazilian Footwear program—an initiative led by Abicalçados in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil)—in addition to visitors arriving independently. “At the last edition of BFSHOW, held in May, international business alone exceeded R$ 240 million. Our expectations are very positive to match or even surpass that figure,” he projected. 

With more than 95% of its exhibition space already sold, BFSHOW is expected to host around 350 footwear brands representing all of Brazil’s footwear-producing regions, company sizes, segments, and niches. The trade show is projected to welcome over 12,000 national and international buyers. Registration is now open at www.bfshow.com.br.

SERVICE
5th BFSHOW
Date: November 10–12, 2025 – from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the 10th and 11th, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 12th
Location: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana, São Paulo, Brazil)

The 5th edition of BFSHOW, The biggest footwear tradeshow in Latin America, has already sold 95% of its spaces. With exhibitors from all Footwear Local Productive Arrangements (LPA), of all sizes, segments, and niches of activity already confirmed, the show—which is now open for visitor registration at www.bfshow.com.br—will take place November 10–12 at the Anhembi District in São Paulo/SP. The promotion is by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and the organization by NürnbergMesse Brasil.

The Executive President of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, emphasizes that the event takes place at an important moment for the Brazilian footwear sector, given the challenges for maintaining exports to the United States due to the surtax applied to Brazilian products. According to him, in this context, with its buyer program, the trade show is even more focused on bringing international buyers in order to help the industry find alternatives to sell its footwear. “BFSHOW, as the biggest global showcase of Brazilian footwear, has an even more relevant role at this moment, as it presents us as the largest player in the West, with the production capacity to serve different markets with quality, design, and sustainability,” he explains.

Capillarity
According to the executive, BFSHOW will be the moment to showcase the strength of Brazilian footwear and its capillarity. “The United States is our largest buyer, and we are seeking ways to maintain exports while also needing to explore more destinations,” said Ferreira. For this edition, importers from countries such as Germany, Bolivia, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Guatemala, Peru, Portugal, Taiwan, and Zambia are already confirmed, in addition to the United States, which, despite uncertainties, is willing to negotiate and continue sourcing from Brazil. In the most recent edition of BFSHOW, held in May, more than 1,200 importers attended, generating business that exceeded R$ 240 million.

Content and Sustainability
The CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, emphasizes that BFSHOW will bring new releases from leading Brazilian brands in an excellent environment for hosting buyers from all over Brazil and much of the world. According to him, in addition to business, BFSHOW will feature a program with relevant content for the sector in its Arena (the schedule will be released in the coming months).

Another highlight is the synergy of the organizer with the sustainability principles valued by the sector. “The Brazilian footwear industry is the most sustainable in the world in this segment, and NürnbergMesse Brasil is aligned with this fact. In addition to the exhibition of sustainable footwear certified by Sustainable Origin, a large portion of the materials used at the trade show will be recycled,” he says. In addition to environmental sustainability initiatives, BFSHOW will also allocate 10% of the event’s organizational jobs to social labor, in partnership with the Parents and Friends of Exceptional Children Associations (Apae Brasil).

SERVICE
5th BFSHOW
Date: November 10–12, 2025 – from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the 10th and 11th, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 12th
Location: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana, São Paulo, Brazil)

The 4th edition of BFSHOW, the footwear trade show held from May 19 to 21 at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo/SP, generated BRL 240.75 million (USD 43.6 million) in international business, including deals closed on-site and those in progress. The figure comes from a report released by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), which promotes the event organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil.

According to Paola Pontin, Business Coordinator at Abicalçados, the reported amount accounts only for deals made by the 175 international buyers invited through the trade show and the Brazilian Footwear program, an initiative carried out by the association in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). “The total business volume is certainly much higher, as we welcomed more than 12,300 visitors, around 1,200 of them from over 50 countries,” she explains. 

Rico Azeredo, Head of New Business at NürnbergMesse Brasil, emphasizes the joint effort by BFSHOW and Abicalçados to bring selected buyers from over 30 countries to the event. “At BFSHOW, we welcomed importers from every continent except Oceania. Many deals were closed on-site, while several others were set in motion for the coming months. The trade show is a major global showcase for Brazilian footwear,” he celebrates. 

Exports

Unlike last year, when the domestic market played a key role in driving footwear production growth, exports are expected to be the main driver in 2025. According to Abicalçados, footwear production is projected to grow between 1.4% and 2.2%, while exports are expected to increase by around 4% compared to the previous year. 

The trade show

Recognized as the biggest footwear trade show in Latin America, the fourth edition of BFSHOW featured 353 Brazilian brands. The next edition of the event will take place from November 10 to 12 at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo/SP. The May 2026 edition is already scheduled for the 18th to the 20th, at the same venue.

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)