The  88th edition  of MICAM, the  international  footwear  exhibition  promoted by Assocalzaturifici, came  to  a  close yesterday at the Rho Fiera  Milano. The  event  was attended by 44,076 trade visitors, including 60% from abroad, who were able to peruse a wide range of exhibits offered by 1303 companies. Attendance figures  showed a 0.94% increase in individual visitor numbers compared with February2019. In particular, dealers from abroad rose by almost 2% while there was a 0.55% drop in the number of Italians. On  the  international  front,  we  continued  to  see  substantial  numbers  of  visitors  from China and Hong Kong, due to the fact that the show did not coincide with holidays in those  countries;  we  also  had  a  10%  increase  in  attendees  from  our  neighbour, Switzerland. Traditional  European  markets substantially  held  up  while  we  saw  a double-digit drop in visitors from Russia (-12.85%) andUkraine(-8.68%).

MICAM  88 was  the  first  edition  under  the  guidance  of  the  new  Chair Siro  Badon: “Trade  fairs  continue  to provide our  companies with a  great  opportunity  to do businessand,  seeing  the  results,  we  are proud  of  the  success  of  this  edition  which confirms  MICAM’s  standing  as  the  world’s  leading  footwear  trade  show”.  “Our association –continues Badon–will continue to help our companies internationalise their  business, using every possible means to  bring together quality  products and buyers who  are capable  of  appreciating  them–with  particular  reference  to  the Russian and Ukrainian markets which, as was already forecast prior to the event, are shrinking”.

The  edition  which  has  just  concluded  marked  an  important  anniversary:  fifty  years since  the  first  edition  of  the fair.  A  symbolic  and  pivotal  moment  for  the  industry which  is undergoing  a significant  transformation, both  as  regards  the  production process and the whole ethos surrounding footwear, including the  way it  is  perceived by the final consumer.