The Düsseldorf Shoe Trade Fair GDS - International Event for Shoes & Accessories (12 – 14 September 2008) is getting a complete makeover. After more and more international brands have returned to the exhibition halls over the course of the past seasons, GDS is using its scheduled move to halls 1 through 7 to present a fundamental re-launch of its segments...

...on offer: beginning in September, newly classified areas with revised connections will create homogenous lifestyle worlds A clearer guidance system offers buyers even further improved and quicker orientation. The hall layout will be based on clear, modern design. A completely revised marketing motif will emphasise the value of the ‘new GDS’. GLS will be completely integrated with GDS, and the resulting event will offer a symbiosis between shoes and accessories. In short, in September, GDS will present itself completely redesigned and ready to face the future.

For nearly a year, Messe Düsseldorf and various German and international agencies have been working on the new concept. In addition to the needs of the various visitor target groups and the diversified exhibitor preferences, mainly societal currents and trends as well as the current changes in the market were taken into consideration when developing the new concept. Against this backdrop, Messe Düsseldorf has decided to start GLOBAL SHOES – the leading trade fair for sourcing - one day earlier than GDS in Halls 8a and 8B (11 through 13 September 2008).

This Spring GDS - Trend Shows

“In the past seasons, GDS has experienced a significant change for the better. A large number of renowned international brands have returned to the trade fair and have added significant value to GDS,“ explains Kirstin Deutelmoser, Director of GDS and GLOBAL SHOES. “In connection with the impending move to exhibition halls 1 through 7, which guarantees us long-term planning and scheduling security, we have taken the bull by the horns and further structured the presented offer range for our buyers in order to make the ‘new GDS’ even more transparent.”

Deutelmoser is convinced that, after a short adjustment period, the ‘new GDS’ will be well received by exhibitors and buyers alike, “A fundamental change such as a move to new halls combined with re-structuring measures may not be unanimously approved by all of our customers. In this regard, vision has to turn into reality first. However, I am sure that the ‘new GDS’ in September will prove that the decisions were right and that it will be accepted very well again by the market.”

Tegero

Major benefits for buyers and visitors at the ‘new GDS’ are the short distances between the clearly defined product segments and the corresponding time savings. The various segments were distributed amongst the halls to allow for clear orientation and logical transitions between the lifestyle worlds thus created. For example, customers interested mainly in Young Fashion and all its variants may concentrate their attention on halls 1 through 3. Buyers of fashion and highfashion shoes in the upper to exclusive price range will feel at home in halls 2, 4 and 5. The point of intersection for these two customer interest groups is the white cubes segment in hall 2, which is filled to the top with progressive highfashion brands that address an exclusive international audience. The large shoe brands for the specialised trade are clearly arranged and easily accessible in hall 6.

Overview of the segments of the ‘new GDS’, starting at the North Main Entrance

Fiorelli

shop & deco: The ‘shop & deco’ segment offers visual experiences. Here, we present innovative ideas for successful product presentation as well as furniture and all-round care products. (Sample brands: Bergal, Solitaire, Bama, Collonil)

hall 7a
kidwalk: To present their big trends for little customers, the Kids exhibitors will now move into their own display hall. Here, the atmosphere of the complete world of children’s shoe brands is reflected. Because it is located in the entrance area, this segment will benefit from the naturally high visitor frequency. The segment also features a modular stand construction system, called “kidwalk concept“. (Sample brands: Camper for Kids, Primigi, Richter, Ricosta, Naturino)

hall 6
essential: With the major German and European brands in the fashionable mainstream segment, ‘essential’ represents the foundation of GDS. The quality brands also include functional wellness shoe fashion. (Sample brands: Gabor, Manas, Unisa, Ara, Lloyd, Birkenstock)

hall 5
superior: This hall, designated for international fashion collections in the medium price range, shows a broad product base, ranging from Casual Wear to Business Look. (Sample brands: Donna Carolina, K&S, Maripe, Pons Quintana)

hall 4
upper style: In this hall, established premium brands present their current fashion trends. The focus here is on sophisticated materials and top workmanship. The segment also features a modular stand construction system, called “upper style concept“. (Sample brands: Lario, Casadei, Attilio Giusti, Lotusse, Aldo Bruè, Pura Lopez)

Wellness Special Show

prime square: Renowned high quality brands set the tone in this already established concept area. Excellent workmanship, top-quality materials and perfect finish are the hallmarks of the products featured here. (Sample brands: van Bommel, Andes, Lorenzo Banfi, Ruggeri, Dinkelacker)

thePulse: This area offers room for youthful creativity, selected designers and exciting collections. It offers attractive showcases in open design mode that were especially conceived for the presentation of the collections in the ‘thePulse’ segment. (Sample brands: Nancy Dong, Ellen Verbeek, Celine Lafont)

hall 3

Minnetonka Moccasins

urban active: “Style meets Performance“ – this is the fundamental idea of this platform for sporty collections that combine high tech, function, comfort and design. (Sample brands: TBS, Tatonka, Salomon) design attack: 100 selected design newcomers shake up the GDS with a wild mix of scene-focused lifestyle collections. Each season, this topic world offers a new surprising, themed design.

hall 2
white cubes: The progressive high fashion labels present themselves to their exclusive, international audience in a separate hall. Amidst the puristic, white design elements, this concept area showcases exclusive collections that have enjoyed success over various seasons. (Sample brands: Joop!, Hugo, Kors by Michael Kors, True Religion, L’Autre Chose)

hall 1
urban authentic: Based on a new concept, a creative theme world comes into being in this brand hall. It rests upon its own philosophy, which permeates all design aspects of the segment. “Trend is Tradition” – this is the leading motif of the ‘urban authentic’ segment. Cult heritage labels that are true trendsetters showstreet and urban wear of the future. (Sample brands: Kickers, Dunlop, Dr. Martens, Converse, Replay)

urban spirit: This segment is dedicated to urban brands with a clear mission. They present collection philosophies in harmony with nature. In order to provide innovative, small labels with the opportunity for an uncomplicated trade fair presentation, ‘urban spirit’ also offers a limited number of concept stands. (Sample brands: El Naturalista, ART)

The next GDS will be held at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre from 12 to 14 September 2008. GLOBAL SHOES will be held from 11 to 13 September 2008, offset by one day from GDS for the first time.

(19/062008)