GDS 2012: HIGH-QUALITY VISITORS WITH PURCHASING POWER

GDS 2012: HIGH-QUALITY VISITORS WITH PURCHASING POWER

    At the recent staging of GDS 2012 – international event for shoes & accessories, in Düsseldorf, Germany, 69% of the retailers placed orders. A total of 879 exhibitors from 38 countries presented trends and looks for the Spring/Summer 2013 season. In addition, 360 exhibitors participated in the concurrently held GLOBAL SHOES 2012, leading trade show for sourcing.

   Due to the nationwide strike of the cabin crew organization (UFO), Lufthansa cancelled 141 flights from/to Düsseldorf on the last day of the trade fair which had a major impact on the attendance figures of GDS. The trade fair registered more than 22,500 trade visitors, the majority of which were top managers. "The massive disruptions in air traffic not only affected our exhibitors’ departure on the last day of the trade fair but also, unfortunately, prevented some trade visitors from coming to GDS. It is unfortunate that many business opportunities were lost as a consequence. All the more positive to note is that the percentage of purchasing decision-makers at GDS remained as high as before,” stated Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf.

   GDS confirmed its status as an international trade fair – about 50% of the visitors came from countries other than Germany and from a total of 100 nations. With shoes gaining importance as an extension to fashion ranges, GDS increasingly serves a leading trade fair and an increase in fashion retailer participation at the September event was recorded.

   According to a survey, the mood among retailers was rather subdued due to the retail sales for the 2012 Spring/Summer season. Most retailers stated that business fell short of summer 2011 sales or was on at par at best. One third of the attendees surveyed plan to reduce their order volumes for Spring/Summer 2013 due to the economic situation. Still, 69% ordered or planned to order at GDS (compared to 65% at the March event).  

  The survey also showed that sneakers were rated as the most important trend for the coming summer. While visitors from abroad favor fashion sneakers, German retailers prefer original sneakers and their high-fashion counterparts. The second-most important trend is color accents - where colors (in particular fluorescent neon) are only used to highlight. Accordingly, retailers like black, neutrals, nude and beige tones as the strongest colors for next summer as well as blue, turquoise and red shades. While German retailers focus on powder and pastel shades for the coming summer, foreign retailers place more emphasis on white, green and olive. In terms of materials, smooth nappa and suede/nubuck continue to be the key materials. Canvas will make a comeback for the summer season and embossed or printed materials will be in demand.  

 Highlights at GDS included the various events and celebrities, including star chef Tim Mälzer unveiling the first 100% compostable leather shoe traditionally-made by Snipe, extreme athlete Joey Kelly introducing the new outsole "Bergal Flex 77" and Daniela Katzenberger presenting her Romika collection. In addition, model Bonnie Strange walked at the opening show while actress Nina Bott represented ART at GDS. A special feature was the runway show of the Consorzio Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta, celebrating its 35th anniversary.

  "Together with our exhibitors we have made sure over the past few years that shoe fashion gets ever growing media coverage. We are the only shoe trade fair to organize catwalk shows - which is why the latest shoe styles get almost as much exposure on TV as the apparel at a Fashion Week. This benefits the entire shoe sector,” explained Kirstin Deutelmoser, Director of GDS and Global Shoes.

  At GDS 2012 it was announced that for the first time the Year Book of APICCAPS (Portuguese Footwear, Components, Leather Good Manufacturers’ Association) will be published in cooperation with GDS. The first issue was published in 2011, documenting the developments in the global footwear industry. "For years we have analyzed and compiled fact-based information about the global footwear sector. We want to enhance this market insight in cooperation with GDS and make it available to an even wider professional audience,” commented João Maia of the APICCAPS Study Center.

Exhibitor Statements:

Heiner Terbuyken, CEO of Gabor on the Snipe 100 Event:

"GDS proved the perfect "launching pad” for our compostable shoe. We received a lot of support for our show from the trade fair and this paid off: be it TV, radio or print media – Snipe 100 and Tim Mälzer were omnipresent.”

Carl-August Seibel, President of Josef Seibel Holding GmbH on the Romika PR campaign:

"Romika already enjoyed high recognition levels before enlisting Daniela Katzenberger. But we wanted to "de-dust” the brand and succeeded in doing so with the help of this "it” girl. And sales-wise the collection is also a success story. We already realized last year that an important launch like this has to be held at GDS. This is where all the big and important retailers go. Also, I think it’s great when the press coverage makes an event restricted to trade visitors also known outside the industry.”

Siro Bardon, President of "Consorzio Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta” on the anniversary:

"We have been represented at GDS with a joint stand for 35 years now, because Northern Europe and Germany in particular are very important markets for us. This is why I thank Messe Düsseldorf and in particular Kirstin Deutelmoser for their support over the past years and, more specifically, for the great organization of our catwalk show.”