From Couromoda, comes a wave of optimism for the Brazilian footwear industry after a difficult 2016. The 44th edition of the fair took place in Sao Paulo on January, 15 to 18 and it reported an+ 11% increase in exhibition space occupied compared to 2015 as well as a slight increase in the number of visitors. At the fair, Ablac, the Brazilian Association of shoe merchants, presented a study conducted by Kantar Worldpanel alleging that between October 2015 and October 2016, the retail sales of footwear in Brazil registered a decline of 16.5% in quantity and 14.3% in value. According to the president, Imad Esper, “it was due to a priority in purchasing food. However, in 2017 we believe that we will succeed. We are preparing for this, not only by improving the quality but also increasing the number of models for diversifying supply and satisfy increasingly demanding consumers. “Although 2016 has not been a good year, the employees of the Brazilian footwear increased:” We closed 2016 with a 4% increase in exports and recovered 18,000 jobs – said Heitor Klein, president Abicalçados . The scenario in 2017 is not yet clear, but we have seen the beginning of a recovery.“
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