Author: Diego

With companies of all sizes, niches and Brazilian footwear poles, the 2nd edition of BFSHOW, which takes place between May 21st and 23rd, at the Transamerica Expo Center, in São Paulo/SP, already has more than 270 confirmed brands that account for about 80% of the footwear industry's annual production (over 900 million pairs). The largest national fair in the sector has its accreditation open on the website www.bfshow.com.br, where the list of confirmed brands is also available.

At the same time that it brings confirmed giants, such as Alpargatas, Calçados Beira Rio, Grendene and Vulcabras, the fair will have micro and small companies with great potential for growth in collective spaces. One of those already confirmed is the Estação Moda RS, carried out by the Brazilian Service for Support to Micro and Small Companies in the State (Sebrae/RS). In total, 15 Gaucho footwear brands from different segments and niches are already confirmed. The Regional Manager of Sebrae Sinos, Caí and Paranhana, Marco Copetti, points out that participation generates good expectations. “The presence of these companies in an event the size of BFSHOW, more than generating business, helps in the adoption of development strategies, in terms of trends, prices, products, among other attributes,” he says. According to him, BFSHOW is aligned with the need to renew and strengthen the trade fair segment, which is very relevant to the activity.

The largest producer of men's shoes, the Franca/SP pole has also reserved its collective space. Today with 10 confirmed companies, the footwear from Franca will be at BFSHOW. The president of the Union of Footwear Industries of Franca (Sindifranca), João Carlos Brigagão, points out that the exhibition is the “realization of an old dream of the sector”. “The largest domestic industry outside Asia needed to have its own trade fair, focused on exactly what matters most: good domestic and international business,” he says. According to him, the move of the exhibition to São Paulo, “the heart of Latin America”, brings great expectations for the exhibiting companies. "Our expectations are high and we have no doubt that they will be exceeded,” concludes Brigagão.

Industry advocacy
In addition to the differential of being a fair totally focused on business, with transparency and focus on the well-being of exhibitors and shopkeepers, BFSHOW is a tool in defense of the activity, since the resources generated by the Ffair will be reinvested in sector development actions through its class association. "Abicalçados acts in defense of the sector and this was the case in the first edition, in Porto Alegre/RS, when we received great feedback. Naturally, the consolidation of this event as the main sector fair is unquestionable and expectations are even higher for the next edition, in São Paulo”, comments the president of the Union of the Jaú Footwear Industry (Sindicalçados Jaú), Luis Felipe Rodomonte de Souza. For the director, within a challenging context that Brazilian footwear is going through, participation in BFSHOW becomes even more important for companies to find new channels of relationship with the market. Currently, eight companies are confirmed in the Jaú collective.

Nova Serrana stepping up
The second edition of BFSHOW will have a space dedicated to Nova Serrana Fair and Fashion, which already has 37 brands of the footwear pole of Nova Serrana confirmed in more than 700sqm. Promoted by the Intermunicipal Union of Footwear Industries of Nova Serrana (Sindinova), the space provides a showcase for the quality and diversity of products manufactured in the region. “With its expertise recognized in the national and international scene, companies in Nova Serrana have the opportunity to exhibit their collections and boost business,” said Ronaldo Lacerda, president of Sindinova. According to him, the fact that the fair is held by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil, guarantees the greater scope of the poles represented in the event, which does not occur in regionalized fairs. “The fair's move to São Paulo will certainly generate a lot of business, because BFSHOW will be strengthened by its proximity to the largest consumer market for footwear in Brazil, which is in the Southeast region,” projects the director, stressing that BFSHOW is the legitimate “win-win” process, since it will be fundamental for exhibitors and will also facilitate the purchase by Brazilian retailers and importers.

Second edition
After a successful first edition, in Porto Alegre / RS, BFSHOW moves to São Paulo due to a market need. The fair was created by the market and with full guidance to its wishes. Thus, the Abicalçados Fair Committee decided to move the event to São Paulo due to the greater logistical ease for the presence of national and international buyers.

According to Abicalçados, expectations are quite positive, taking into account that the BFSHOW in May will present Spring-Summer collections, which represent more than 70% of sales in the national footwear industry.

About Abicalçados
Abicalçados represents the Brazilian footwear industry, fifth largest in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Founded in 1983, Abicalçados is based in Novo Hamburgo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, and its members are companies of all sizes accounting for more than 65 percent of the footwear produced in the country. The entity represents an industry that employs more than 300,000 people. Its mission is to represent, defend, develop, and promote Brazil’s footwear industry with respect, excellency, and results.

About the organizers
NürnbergMesse Brasil is a subsidiary of the NürnbergMesse Group, one of the 15 largest fair organizers in the world. The group’s portfolio includes more than 120 international fairs and congresses (14 of them in Brazil) and more than 40 pavilions. Every year, more than 30,000 expositors and more than 1,5 million visitors meet in events hosted by NürnbergMesse, which also has subsidiaries in China, United States, Brazil, Greece, Italy, and India, The group also established a network with sone 50 representatives operating in more than 116 countries.

With less than a month to go until the 2nd BFSHOW, held by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil, the meeting consolidates itself in the market as the largest footwear fair in Brazil and generates expectation among confirmed visitors. With 270 brands already confirmed and a growth of more than 100% in the exhibition area and the confirmed presence of the main footwear market players in Brazil, BFSHOW expects to receive 10 thousand national and international buyers between May 21st and 23rd, at the Transamerica Expo Center, in São Paulo (SP). In this edition, it will be possible to know firsthand the new releases of the Spring-Summer 2025 collections of the Brazilian footwear sector.

This is the main expectation of the designer Gustavo Silva, from Serafine, from Minas Gerais. The clothing brand is in its third shoe collection and takes advantage of BFSHOW to meet new suppliers and what will be trending for the next season. “I want to see the novelties with regard to materials, soles and colors. It is important for us to select partners and suppliers that are aligned with the trends of our clothing collection. The first edition of the fair was excellent for us, as we were looking for important suppliers. The range offered by BFSHOW is excellent and we expect that in São Paulo this volume of options will be even greater and we will find new suppliers for the brand”.

Another buyer confirmed for the event in São Paulo is Humberto Costa, representative of Grupo Planeta Jeans, a chain of six stores in Paraná. "We hope not only to find the trends for the summer, but also to strengthen the relationship between shopkeeper and factory. The proximity offered by BFSHOW also guarantees us the possibility of doing new business, finding other manufacturers, other products and allowing us to make good deals also in our stores.” Same goal as Mohamad Abdul Majid, from the importer Sad Trading, from Mozambique. “The fair offers networking, new business and partnerships opportunities, in addition to putting on display the new trends for the summer - the next collection to be marketed in Brazil and also in Mozambique.”

The fair has been generating high expectations to visitors from all over Brazil. "Sao Paulo will be a great stage. A place where we will find representatives, manufacturers, importers, exporters and shopkeepers all in one place. We will definitely make great purchases and good deals and thus keep our stores more and more updated with new trends in the footwear market. We are sure that this will be the biggest fair of all time and we will together make this the best year for the footwear sector”, celebrates Francisco Aldemir Bezerra de Souza, commercial director of Planeta Calçados - chain with 8 stores present in the cities of Juazeiro do Norte, Crato, Barbalha, Iguatu, Brejo Santo -, and director of Síndilojas in Juazeiro do Norte (CE).

The business and Relationship Manager of the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), Letícia Sperb Masselli, points out that BFSHOW is also an international meeting point for the footwear sector. “The fifth largest footwear industry in the world, the most sustainable among its competitors, has a great showcase at the fair. It is an unmissable event, in which we will have more than 80% of the national footwear production presenting their collections for the hottest season of the year. We are sure that it will be a success that will give a spirit injection to the activity”, she points out.

One of the people responsible for the fair, Ricardo Azeredo, Head of New Business at NürnbergMesse Brasil, highlights the growth of the event. "BFSHOW has doubled in size in this edition, reinforcing the importance of this event for the Brazilian footwear sector. We are preparing a high standard fair to welcome the expected 10 thousand visitors, who are looking for the best products to offer to national and international consumers. Buyers will have an even better experience in this edition.”

Buyer Program
Success in the first edition, the Buyer Program is also back. An initiative of BFSHOW, which has the support of ApexBrasil within the scope of international buyers, the action seeks to encourage business between national and international buyers and exhibitors at the fair. In 2023, the action took to BFSHOW buyers from Brazil and countries such as Australia, Bolivia, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Spain, United States, Portugal, Russia, United Kingdom, among others.

International buyer participating in the program, Emma Damas Malamsha, from Apri Arch Fashion Ltd, importer and distributor of footwear from Tanzania, Africa, highlights that BFSHOW is an important exhibition for the sector. "Today, our main strategic partner is China, but at BFSHOW we have discovered other suppliers with potential, with which we can partner and do business. There is a lot of collaboration in the sector and the fair is a great opportunity to get to know each other”, she says.

Strengthening ties at BFSHOW is also the goal of Grupo Real Calçados, a chain founded in Bahia with more than 100 stores throughout Brazil. “It is a way to interact with suppliers and be closer to see what offers, new releases, novelties and trends are coming. We create bonds there because when we bet on a product, we establish a connection with the supplier themselves, which gives us support and confidence”, says director Ivan Nunes Andrade Filho.

In its first edition, BFSHOW received international buyers from five continents who generated more than R$ 315 million in business with the international market.

About Abicalçados
Abicalçados represents the Brazilian footwear industry, fifth largest in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Founded in 1983, Abicalçados is based in Novo Hamburgo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, and its members are companies of all sizes accounting for more than 65 percent of the footwear produced in the country. The entity represents an industry that employs more than 300,000 people. Its mission is to represent, defend, develop, and promote Brazil’s footwear industry with respect, excellency, and results.

About the organizers
NürnbergMesse Brasil is a subsidiary of the NürnbergMesse Group, one of the 15 largest fair organizers in the world. The group’s portfolio includes more than 120 international fairs and congresses (14 of them in Brazil) and more than 40 pavilions. Every year, more than 30,000 expositors and more than 1,5 million visitors meet in events hosted by NürnbergMesse, which also has subsidiaries in China, United States, Brazil, Greece, Italy, and India, The group also established a network with sone 50 representatives operating in more than 116 countries.

The largest Brazilian footwear fair, BFSHOW already has more than 220 confirmed brands, 183 of them exclusive. The companies bet on the national fair, held by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil, to launch their Spring/Summer collections, the most important season of the year for Brazilian footwear and which absorbs more than 70% of the total sales of the industry. The 2nd edition of BFSHOW takes place at the Transamerica Expo Center, in São Paulo/SP, between May 21st and 23rd, and accreditation is already open on the website.

One of the companies that are only confirmed at BFSHOW is Grendene. The commercial director of the footwear company, Paulo Barth, points out that expectations for the fair are quite positive. “We believe that we will have a very significant number of customers visiting the fair, both from the domestic market and from the foreign market”, he predicts. According to him, the show, also due to the fact that it has confirmed large suppliers, should attract the attention of the main players in the market, being a relevant opportunity for the presentation of Summer collections, the most important one for Grendene. “The second semester is historically our most representative semester and we have a very positive expectation for the business we will carry out during BFSHOW”, highlights the director, adding that, in addition to the hot season's collections, the company will offer high-turnover products for prompt delivery.

Another giant confirmed exclusively at BFSHOW is Alpargatas. “We are very happy to participate in the BFSHOW fair, an event that provides a unique opportunity to emphasize the importance of the footwear market for Alpargatas and Havaianas, a leading brand in the segment of flip flops”, evaluates the specialized commercial director of Havaianas Brasil, Bruno Correa Marques. For him, more than presenting the summer collections, the footwear fair will further strengthen partnerships and relationships in the sector, as it is a meeting point for Brazilian footwear with the world.

With confirmed presence at BFSHOW, Petite Jolie is another company that will launch its summer products exclusively at the footwear fair held by Abicalçados. “We need to be where the customers are and our expectation is that they will be, largely, at the BFSHOW. In addition, participating in this moment, in which we have the possibility of seeing a new great fair performing in the city of São Paulo is very important for our visibility”, comments the National Commercial Manager of Petite Jolie, Ruy Ferreira. For BFSHOW, the shoemaker will take the entire team of regional representatives to welcome the shopkeepers. “The fair marks the presentation of the brand's Summer I collection, so the client will find all the novelties related to trends and colors of the most joyful season of the year,” says the director.

Meeting point
BFSHOW is a fair created by Abicalçados in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil to be the meeting point of Brazilian footwear with customers from all over the world, in an objective, business-focused and transparent way. The show should bring together, in May, about 250 brands of all sizes and Brazilian footwear poles that together account for more than 80% of the national production of the sector. The visitation is estimated at more than 10 thousand buyers and professionals of the activity, both from Brazil and from the international market. In the first edition of BFSHOW, which took place in Rio Grande do Sul, were generated, only in international business, more than R＄ 315 million.

About Abicalçados
Abicalçados represents the Brazilian footwear industry, fifth largest in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Founded in 1983, Abicalçados is based in Novo Hamburgo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, and its members are companies of all sizes accounting for more than 65 percent of the footwear produced in the country. The entity represents an industry that employs more than 300,000 people. Its mission is to represent, defend, develop, and promote Brazil’s footwear industry with respect, excellency, and results.

About the organizers
NürnbergMesse Brasil is a subsidiary of the NürnbergMesse Group, one of the 15 largest fair organizers in the world. The group’s portfolio includes more than 120 international fairs and congresses (14 of them in Brazil) and more than 40 pavilions. Every year, more than 30,000 expositors and more than 1,5 million visitors meet in events hosted by NürnbergMesse, which also has subsidiaries in China, United States, Brazil, Greece, Italy, and India, The group also established a network with sone 50 representatives operating in more than 116 countries.