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GLS confirms its Position as International Platform for Leather Goods
It was with satisfied faces, an 8% rise in exhibitors and many new
innovations and further developments in fair design that the 102nd GDS
– The Premiere Shoe Event closed at Düsseldorf’s exhibition centre on
Sunday. Over three days the orders and information platform attracted
33,000 visitors (a 4.5% rise) from 82 countries to Düsseldorf who came
here to gather information on the forthcoming shoe trends for
Spring/Summer 2007. Trade buyers were ‘spoilt for choice’ with the over
half a million shoe styles presented by 1,398 exhibitors (previous
event: 1,301), including the likes of numerous international top
designer labels. From exclusive and elegant to young, trendy and
experimental the range offered at GDS was comprehensive. Generating
particular interest was the premium segment ‘white cubes’ – Messe
Düsseldorf’s successful and entirely new concept for exhibitors.
“With its 30% increase in exhibitors the GDS now has an all-new look in
the premium segment. The new concept went down very well with buyers,“
said Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe
Düsseldorf GmbH. “Once again, GDS has presented the entire spectrum of
the international shoe market, thereby impressively underlining its
central position as the platform for information and orders in Europe.“
At 58% the proportion of foreign buyers attending also rose again
slightly over the previous event. “GDS has managed to “turn around” the
trend,” points out GDS Project Director, Kirstin Deutelmoser, after
three days at the fair and numerous talks with colleagues in the
sector. It therefore comes as no surprise that decision-makers, at 70%,
accounted for the largest number of visitors. This also meant qualified
planning and orders negotiations could be held. Deutelmoser continued:
“After a number of difficult events we have now convinced visitors and
exhibitors with a new concept. And we intend to develop this concept
further. The 102nd GDS has shown it is able to regain its former
strength.“
With the Fashion Shows, TrendVision, Order
Information, Trend Lectures, the Sales Assistants’ Day including many
further training and motivation events plus a Men’s Special focusing on
innovative sales strategies for men’s shoes the 102nd GDS was also able
to convince exhibitors and visitors in terms of its supporting
programme. “Visitors to GDS know that the fair with its high-quality
supporting programme offers them not only trends for the coming season
but also important information helping them to make secure ordering
decisions,” said Kirstin Deutelmoser.
Exhibitors and visitors
rated the clear segmentation of the range especially highly. Clearly
segmented areas like Topstyle/Exclusivity/‘white cubes’, International
Selection, Kids’ World, Wellness & Comfort, Lifestyle & Sports
and Young Fashion helped visitors find their way around the halls of
the exhibition. As an independent area for young designers the “Design
Attack“ segment presented top fashion under the heading Mambo Italiano
in the trendy retro style of the Italian Riviera generating a nostalgic
feel amongst visitors. Commenting on the segment Kirstin Deutelmoser
said: “‘Design Attack’ was always full. Even buyers from established
fashion houses picked up ideas here for the forthcoming fashion
season.”
GLS – International Event for Leather Goods & More benefits from GDS
Around 30% of the visitors from 41 countries were also interested in
GLS – International Event for Leather Goods & More, held for the
second time now in Düsseldorf alongside GDS. 160 exhibitors and brands
from 25 nations (including numerous renowned brands featuring both
shoes and bags and leather goods) were presented here with their new
products in a range-specific layout within GDS. GLS exhibitors
especially rated the fair’s strong international attendance and high
percentage of decision-making buyers from retail. Over half GLS
visitors came to Düsseldorf from abroad; over 80% were managerial staff
from top and middle management.
Commenting on the event Jordi
Llavina, Managing Director at Puntotres from , said: “The new concept
at GLS is good and it’s going in the right direction. We benefit from
the synergy effects of both fairs. For us GLS is the right platform for
serving the northern European market. For example, we had customers
from , the Benelux, , and . And this is also the only place we get to
meet key English customers. We will definitely be back.”
“We are
on the right track and GLS is increasingly proving itself as a platform
for leather goods,” summed up Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President
& CEO of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH
Exhibition sections:
- Ladies' Shoes
- Men's Shoes
- Children's Shoes
- Leather Goods
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