Traceability and innovation set the tone for the four days of the latest edition of Expo Riva Schuh. After two years of uncertainty due to the constraints imposed by the pandemic COVID-19, the 97th edition took place from the 11th to the 14th of June in Riva del Garda, attracting 8 thousand visitors from 103 countries across the globe. Italy led the ranking of top attendees (34%), followed by Germany (10%), France (6%), Spain (5%) and the UK (4.5%). "We are very happy because the effort and commitment to attract international incoming buyers enabled us to achieve excellent results in terms of attendance, allowing us to welcome buyers from new and unexpected countries in the Southern Hemisphere. For example, Australia, Mauritius, the Ivory Coast, Thailand, and then over to Latin America, just to name a few. These are very positive signs that show we are on the right track”, advanced GianPaola Pedretti, Exhibition Manager for Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags.
In addition, there were more than 1 000 exhibitors from 41 countries in this edition of the trade fair. Among the exhibiting companies, the world's largest manufacturers and exporters from all the industry’s strategic markets – primarily, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Germany – were present, along with a wide range of international exhibitors, in particular, from Turkey, Pakistan, Brazil, and China.
"Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags again showed its ability to navigate a changing scenario in which international buyers are looking for new partners and a variety of sourcing strategies”, said Alessandra Albarelli. The General Manager of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi states that "the show has rediscovered, consolidated and updated its fundamental role as a platform for matching supply and demand, in the knowledge that it is always able to offer different opportunities and new markets. An extraordinary result, recognised by the large number of institutional delegations in attendance and the strategic alliances forged over these few days”.
The next edition will be held from the 11th to the 14th of June.
The Portuguese delegation at the fair consisted of 26 companies. "This fair is paramount for making new contacts. Most of our customers are also here, so, we always try to bring news and more offerings, not only to introduce them to our regular customers but also to make new ones”, said Luísa Silva, from Savana.
Kuru came to Riva for the first time six months ago, and returns now, half a year after, to unveil the Spring-Summer collection. The journey is still short, but the responsible for Kuru admits that "it has been six months of hard work”. The early start seems to be one of the biggest advantages of this fair. "Expo Riva is crucial for Kuru”, he says. "It is held quite early, which allows us to introduce our collections to the customers and receive their feedback in time to make necessary adjustments until MICAM. To sum it up, we can assess if we are on the right track to compose whatever might be needed”.
The same opinion is shared by Rui Cruz. The commercial manager of Coxx Borba explains that "Garda is the first presentation of the season. It enables us to show the collection to our main customers and measure its viability. Then, follow months of adaptions and adjustments that culminate with the occurrence of MICAM”.
