From March 5 to 7, 2023, the Shoes Düsseldorf trade exhibition, held at Areal Bohler in Germany, was distinguished by its receptivity to emerging trends. Comparing the event to last year’s version, more foreign visitors were seen. Both exhibitors and visitors loved the trendy, open-plan setting of Areal Bohler and the well-picked ranges of 590 companies in total (of which 75% were from overseas again).
Retailers from several other nations, including Italy, Canada, Palestine, Portugal, Scandinavia, Turkiye, and Ukraine, traveled to Düsseldorf to make orders for the Autumn/Winter 2023–24 season, according to a press statement from the event’s organizer, Messe Frankfurt.
“Shoes Düsseldorf is by far the most beautiful trade exhibition of them all,” stated Sylvia Klemens of Waldlaufer.
In addition to the line-up of high-fashion and high-quality shoes for women, men, and children, buyers particularly liked the ability at Shoes Düsseldorf to locate and purchase matching goods, such as accessories and fashion pieces for their businesses. “The focal point of this is the clothing concept. According to Ulrike Kahler, director of Igedo, “We consider it as our responsibility to provide footwear merchants suggestions on how to enhance further and emotionally charge their stores through fashion and accessories. The expression “move on” is used literally.
“Neither are we standing still. We continually evolve to provide retail with a carefully chosen line-up of ranges and the ideal location for ordering, communication, and networking,” Kahler continued.
The event’s numerous modest, transparent booths encouraged visitors to explore new brands. The Kids Corner, created as a concept store in collaboration with the event’s organizer, Squares, also offered innovation and inspiration.
Whether it was the trend lectures, the HDS/L press conference, or the presentation of the HDS/L Junior Award 2023 to two talented designers from the shoe city of Pirmasens—at the Shoes Dusseldorf industry and media representatives of distinction get-together—all of the trade show’s media events received positive feedback.
Last but not least, the dates of Shoes Dusseldorf are great. We’ll continue to follow these in the future, Kahler promised. The next edition of Shoes Düsseldorf will be at Areal Bohler from August 27-29, 2023.
CEO and managing partner of Sioux Holding GmbH, Lewin Berner, stated: “We were delighted, had a continually busy time, and a well-frequented booth. We value Shoes Dusseldorf as a significant institution. To guarantee that the presentation is appealing to our visitors, we take great care to make the brand apparent here. After all, as a sector, we can’t cheaply advise shops to do more on the floor while simultaneously displaying our shoes on white Ikea shelves.
“We would want to see one or two rivals make more of their appearance at Shoes Düsseldorf. Shoes Dusseldorf presents itself as a venue for this since everyone wants an influential national trade fair that draws attendees from all over the world.
Shoes Düsseldorf provides a platform for this; we all want a robust national trade show that draws people from all across Germany and from adjacent European nations.”
We like being here and will always be happy to return. We admire Shoes Dusseldorf for the dialogue with stores and coworkers. Managing director of Cinque Shoes & Herrlicher, Michael Schreiber, added, “We have also obtained new consumers, especially from textile retail.
“It is crucial that you are here. Not just in terms of orders but also in light of the tremendous market problems. There is so much to discuss,” remarked Michele Mimo, Cinzia Valle’s sales representative.
“This is our first time at Shoes Düsseldorf with Cole Haan. Both the location and the reaction were excellent. Nevertheless, what stands out is that most of the business cards are from outside, according to Christian Ast, commercial director of Cole Haan in Central Europe.
“We are content. Our 70th-anniversary celebration events have been favorably appreciated. There is no doubt that commerce must today handle a variety of jobs. Yet, the proactive ones are the ones who come here, according to Gunter Neunaber, general director of the Rexor Shoe Buying Association.
“We genuinely love the exhibition because everything is conveniently located here. Carsten Obermeier, managing director of Neumann Schuhe in Hannover, doesn’t have the time or the desire to visit other showrooms.
Both the first and second days were excellent. It is crucial to have a presence at Shoes Düsseldorf outside our Dusseldorf shop because here is where individuals meet accidental acquaintances. Owner of Agents of Shoes & Accessories, Ralf Butz, claimed that this is how they pick up new customers.
Düsseldorf is always worthwhile to visit. According to Klaudia Werdin, proprietor of Schuh & Mode Leukers in Straelen, “Duesseldorf is very significant to us and a source of inspiration.
