2019/03/07

Business News March 2019

TFL publishes every month business news with focus on the leather industry, on a worldwide basis.

World Footwear Congress: enrolment started

Enrolment for participating to the 6th World Footwear Congress in Naples has started as of now. From the 3rd to 4th April all specialists from the shoe industry are invited to participate. It will give them the chance to gain an overview of the latest developments in the branch. The congress organised by the European shoe industry association CIC will have the theme “digitalisation for a sustainable shoe industry”. Further information can be found in the internet: www.worldfootwearcongressnaples2019.com .

Portugal creates new shoe brands

Since 2010, 238 shoe brands have been created in Portugal. Investing into own brands is a strategy of the Portuguese shoe industry. This year, two million Euros are to be invested into the creation of brands.

Ispo registers decline in visitors

Ispo Munich, the world’s biggest sports goods fair, closed with a result of 80, 000 visitors from 120 countries. The winter atmosphere impeded the arrival of some visitors; however, it created a good mood in all 18 halls of the fair Munich. Nevertheless, the fair registered a decline in visitors of four percent. 83, 606 visitors attended the fair in previous year.

Another record year for Skechers

US manufacturer Skechers has again achieved a record turnover in 2018. The turnover rose by 11.5 percent to 4.64 billion US Dollars (4.09 billion Euros). Biggest growth driver was the international wholesale with a plus in turnover of 18.8 percent. The Turnover in the company own retail increased by 12 percent.

Portuguese leads European shoe association

Portuguese Luís Onofre will become president of the European shoe industry association (CEC) at the end of May. He will succeed the Italian Cleto Sagripanti. Onofre has been leading the Portuguese shoe association Apiccaps since 2017 and is the owner of the eponymous shoe brand.

Micam: fewer German visitors

The Milan shoe fair Micam closed after four days on the 13th February with a significant decline in visitors. As the organisers announced there was a two-digit decline in buyers from Germany and in the visitor numbers of other traditional markets such as Russia and France. In total, the organisers reported 43,000 visitors, a result at previous year’s level.

Vietnam again exports more shoes

Vietnam has increased its shoe exports in 2018 as well. According to Lefaso, the Vietnamese leather-, shoe- and bags association, the country has exported shoe worth 16.24 billion US Dollars, a 10.5 percent increase compared to 2017. Two countries received almost half of the Vietnamese shoe exports: The US bought shoes worth 5.817 billion US Dollars, China received shoes worth 1.492 billion US Dollars.

Clarks appoints Giorgio Presca CEO

British shoe manufacturer Clarks will have a new CEO. On the 1st of March, the Italian Giorgio Presca will take over the recently vacant position. Previous CEO Mike Shearwood had to resign in June 2018 due to complaints about his behavior.