March 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact:

Anne Meerboth-Maltz
Tel. (312)781-5185
Fax (312) 781-5188
email: ameerboth@mdna.com

Messe Düsseldorf North America
150 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2920
Chicago, IL 60601

OPTIMISTIC SHOE INDUSTRY AT GDS AND GLOBAL SHOES 2010

GDS 2010 – International Event for Shoes & Accessories and GLOBAL SHOES 2010 – leading trade show for sourcing – recently closed in Düsseldorf, Germany, with more than satisfactory results and demonstrated that the shoe industry is looking with optimism towards the future. Approximately 29,500 trade visitors came to see the latest footwear and bag styles showcased by 1,120 exhibitors (GDS: 760, GLOBAL SHOES: 360) from 40 countries. At GDS, about 1,750 collections were exhibited for the Autumn/Winter 2010/2011 season along with trends for the current season.

Many exhibitors reported that buyers were in a very good mood and their talks had a positive note that had not been felt for quite some time, reflecting an avid interest in the new fashion for the next season. Kirstin Deutelmoser, GDS Project Director, stated: “GDS was a key indicator for the sector. Retailers have substantially benefited from the long and cold winter. Their stocks are depleted and need to be replenished for next winter. We felt optimism and a good mood paired with a concentrated yet relaxed working atmosphere on all three days of the shows.“

Almost every second visitor at GDS/GLOBAL SHOES was from a country other than Germany, with the majority coming from Benelux, France, Italy, Great Britain and Austria. At the same time, the trade fair duo succeeded in broadening its reach within Germany once more and attracting a noticeably higher number of buyers from Southern Germany. Visitors included such renowned retail companies as Alsterhaus, Amazon, Görtz, Karstadt, KDW, Prange, Tretter, Uli Knecht, Zumnorde (all Germany), SOK (Finland), Jones Bootmaker and Office (both Great Britain), Humanic and Stiefelkönig (both Austria), Apollon & Afrodite (Norway), Betsy Palmer and Shoebaloo (both Netherlands) and Aleksi 13 oy (Finland). Three quarters of all attendees were buyers involved in the decision-making process and 94% rated GDS as good to very good and were very pleased with their visit. In addition to the versatile collections on show, visitors praised the “proximity to trends”, the ancillary program with its information events and the GDS fashion shows.

In order to adapt the shoe trade fair duo to changing market conditions, the GDS Advisory Board decided to change the show days of future events. Starting in 2011, both trade fairs will be held from Wednesday to Friday (instead of Friday to Sunday). “Together with the Advisory Board we have decided on changing to show days. We are confident that this move will make GDS and GLOBAL SHOES even more attractive for retailers. Due to the new days we will avoid the day with the highest retail sales – Saturday. This means retailers no longer have to decide between visiting the trade fair and selling in their store. Now both are possible. The 111th GDS will therefore be held from March 16 - 18, 2011. For the September 2010 GDS, the Friday to Sunday format will remain unchanged,” explained Kirstin Deutelmoser.

“We have had a really good GDS. Our various stands were very well attended on all days. We could virtually feel this spirit of a new beginning when talking to our customers. Now it is up to each retailer and manufacturer to make the best of this favorable situation. With its new schedule, GDS follows the needs of retailers and, hence, of our customers. It is the task and duty of a trade fair to identify and fulfill such needs. I assume that this decision will improve the position of GDS on the market even further,” commented Horst Wortmann, Managing Director of the Wortmann-Group. With brands such as Tamaris, s.Oliver, Marco Tozzi and Caprice the Wortmann Group is one of Europe’s largest shoe manufacturers.

Returning GDS exhibitor Giancarlo Sonaglioni from the Italian brand Roberto Botticelli was also pleased with his participation: “After a six year absence we took part in GDS again and are very happy. Due to the different segments buyers find what they are looking for fast and can work efficiently. We want a bigger stand in September.”

A larger booth is also the plan of Cleto Sagripanti from Manas: “GDS is indispensable for Central and North European markets. We meet many of our key accounts here. The mood in the halls was positive. For us GDS went very well.”

The next staging of GDS and GLOBAL SHOES will take place from September 10 - 12, 2010 in Düsseldorf. In 2011, the trade fairs will be held March 16 - 18 and September 7 - 9. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at GDS or GLOBAL SHOES in 2010 or 2011, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit our web site http://www.mdna.com; Subscribe to our blog http://blog.mdna.com; Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/mdnachicago

# # #