Micam has come to an end. According to data provided by Assocalzaturifici, over 43,000 visitors turned up at the exhibition event, in line with February 2018 edition. “If we work out single admittances though – points out Annarita Pilotti, president of the association – they increased by 2,5% overall: in fact, attendance of Italians augmented to offset a drop of foreign and international visitors”. Looking at figures about the fair, visitors coming from traditional markets, such as Russia, France and Germany, remarkably declined in number, as they decreased in double figures. Conversely, Spain did well, therefore proving to be, once again, the most important country market for the industry: Spanish visitors went up by 10%. The United States (+35%) and Canada (+35%) did even better than Spain, even though a competitor trade fair was going on simultaneously in North America. Such is the data analysis supplied by Mrs Pilotti, for the last time at Micam as president: “Buyers have been changing their attitude, as they often run out of time; on the other hand, advertising Micam across the whole country is proving to be effective: the fair is no longer just a fundamental business platform for companies, but also a valuable collector of trends and new shopping attitudes”. Micam next edition is scheduled on 15-18 September 2019: they will present summer 2020 collections. For the records, the exhibition event will also celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Mipel trends
Figures are positive, compared to September edition (+7%), though they slightly dropped compared to February edition (-2,9%). While spotlighting Mipel 115th edition, Danny D’Alessandro, chief executive officer of the fair and general manager of Assopellettieri, remarked that the exhibition “turns out to be a very international event, despite the social and political difficulties of a few markets alongside the instability of the domestic one: as a matter of fact, it proves to be appealing to foreign buyers and exhibitors coming from all over the world”. Speaking about attendance of visitors, participants coming from South-East Asia have declined in number, compared to the exhibition which took place last September. In contrast, European buyers increased: more specifically, from Russia (+33%), Spain (+26%), France (+23%) and Germany (+21%). Yet, according to data provided by organizers, Italy has been the “top performer”, as Italian buyers went up by 10% compared to five months ago. Riccardo Braccialini, for the last time at the event as president of Mipel and Assopellettieri, is very happy about the accomplishments achieved: “We have started implementing a project which aims to enhance the business development in favour of our companies and foster, at the same time, the participation of international players, who enabled Mipel to meet the market’s global demands”, he commented. I hope that a wise and illuminated entrepreneur, who is going to take over, will continue the renewal work we started four years ago”. Mipel next edition is scheduled on 15-18 September 2019, simultaneously with Micam: it will take place at Fieramilano-Rho again.
