Obuv confirms that heels are no longer a trend in Russia. Bags, on the other hand, have a reassuring market. In Moscow, the last day of shoe and leather goods show (26th March). The event reserved positive surprises for Italian exhibitors. Leaving with zero hope, they found themselves dealing with a world different from what they expected: many visitors (most without a mask), eager to leave the crisis behind and start again.
Obuv confirms
Until a few years ago, the Russian market was the emblem of elegant and sumptuous footwear. Today, however, it prefers sporty and comfortable items. The trend, already underway for some seasons, also due to the advent of sneakers, has been accelerated by the pandemic: today comfort comes first. But the trend brings down the average price (and margins) of footwear, and reduces the competitiveness of Italian SMEs. Also for bags, the trend is towards the minimal and reassuring. Meanwhile, positive feedback continues to come from Moscow. “Even if the orders are understandably limited, it is important to be able to maintain a relationship with loyal customers – says Pompeo Iachini of La Repo shoe factory -. This is very important because, after the pandemic, I don’t want to start from scratch”.
Bags
Leather goods workers confirm opinions expressed by their footwear colleagues. “We are present with our distributors, and we can confirm the good performance of the event – says Carla Ripani of Ripani, who hopes to end the event well -. Last day, as usual, on a low? Let’s see, I wouldn’t take it for granted. We have to think positively, and maybe this last day will have some surprises in store for us”.
Next appointments
The exhibition calendar in presence returns to offer opportunities for meeting. Here are the next appointments: from March 31 to April 3, Aymod in Istanbul; on April 12-13, La Moda Italiana in Kiev; from April 18-20, Gallery Shoes & Fashion in Düsseldorf, and on May 19-21La Moda Italiana in Almaty.
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