Trends in Snow

• Jana Pallaske and Luisa Hartema in a Flurry of Flashes
• GDS convincing as a Business Platform
• Metallic, Brocade and Effect Materials very Popular
• Fernanda Brandao is “Shoe Woman of the Year 2013”

And the setting fitted the theme, too: Right on time for the presentation of the Autumn/Winter trends snow set in again. And this brought traffic chaos causing major delays for many exhibitors and visitors arriving late at the fair. Many visitors did not even make it at all; exhibitors reported of buyers cancelling their appointments due to the weather. There was a marked decrease in visitors registered from Belgium and France, the countries affected by particularly heavy snowfalls. The last day of the trade fair was also impacted by strikes at both Düsseldorf and Cologne Airport.

Despite these difficult circumstances approx. 21,300 trade visitors from just under 100 countries found their way to Düsseldorf. 81.3% of these stated in a survey that they were purchasing decision-makers. This percentage was also very high at the previous events – a fact that Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, regards as a confirmation of the concept: “We hear from exhibitors time and again that decision-making buyers come to GDS. Düsseldorf is and will continue to be a key meeting point for the shoe sector. This is also evidenced by GLOBAL SHOES attracting many international visitors.”

Opening Show attracts the Press – kidwalk Well Received
Just as much as top decision-makers are part and parcel of GDS, celebs have become a regular feature at the trade fair. This time Luisa Hartema, winner of the TV casting show “Germany’s Next Topmodel”, and front-row guest Jana Pallaske attracted a flurry of press interest along the catwalk after the trends for the coming winter season had been presented there.

But not only trends for grown-ups were in the limelight at GDS – the new kidwalk Area turned even the styles for little fashionistas into runway highlights. This feature also went down very well with visitors, reports Kirstin Deutelmoser, Director GDS and GLOBAL SHOES: “At our trade fairs we showcase the entire cross-section of the footwear sector. This is why I am delighted when our shows go down well and provide the shoe theme with the glamour it deserves, on the one hand, but also when new concepts like our kidwalk meet with such positive approval, on the other. This proves once again that the sector needs a strong event combining all themes and segments under one roof.”

The “in” area Design Attack also sparkled with its motto “Snow TV” presenting numerous young designers alongside well-known names from Portugal.

GDS convinces as a Business Platform

Another “live” premiere was celebrated by Shoes-Contacts, the matchmaking platform developed in cooperation with m2b GmbH. After the launch of this matchmaking feature in mid November 2012, GDS saw the first meetings take place. The aim here is to provide interested parties with the matching B2B contacts they seek. All in all 65 matchmaking appointments took place at GDS. For instance, Chad Walwick, Distribution Manager at the US label OluKai, made use of the service to find a German distributor for his collection. “We are a young company and are still building our international business. Matchmaking was therefore very helpful for us. We were introduced to many potential partners. Now it is up to us to select the best fit.”

Alan Scott shared a similar experience. This CEO at Lotus is putting together a sales team for Germany with the help of the matchmaking forum. “Several high-quality meetings were organised for us at GDS. I am confident the candidates include a number of suitable distribution professionals for us.”

Metallic, Brocade and Effect Materials very Popular

A market research survey was also once again conducted among international retailers at this edition of GDS. The response to the question as to the most important materials was unanimous on an international scale: alongside nappa and suede next winter will particularly see metallics, brocade and effect materials gain in importance.

As expected, most retailers see black and brown shades as the most important colours for the Autumn/Winter season. While German and foreign retailers agree on the classic top-two tones, rank three comes as a major surprise: outside of Germany military uniform blue is favoured – followed by olive and army green ahead of platinum/gold. While for German retailers after black and brown red ranks third. With a clear 47% brick, oxblood and rust red were defined as the must-have colours for the German market. By comparison: on an international scale red shades only account for 22% – ranking a mere seventh.

Trends are also assessed similarly on an international scale, though with one exception: while German and international retailers all subscribe to the statement “black is back” focusing on sneaker boots as well as low-cut boots, opinions differ when it comes to slim shapes. Whereas outside Germany this fashion trend is seen as the second most important at 40%, in Germany only 18% rate it that highly putting it in the midfield.

Fernanda Brandao is the “Shoe Woman of the Year 2013”

In cooperation with HDS/L, the German Association of the Shoe and Leather Goods Manufacturers, GDS has once again awarded three prizes this year. In addition to the “German Shoe Award 2013” and the “HDS Junior Award 2013”, anchor woman and musician Fernanda Brandao was named “Shoe Woman of the Year 2013” at a glamorous event. By her own accounts she is the “greatest shoe lover in the world” owning more than 300 pairs of shoes. 

The “German Shoe Award” this year went to kids’ shoe manufacturer Ricosta from Donaueschingen. With its “Rallye” style designed by Gerhard Gaiß Jr. Ricosta has come up with a shoe that millions of parents will be anxious to buy. Thanks to a novel sole solution this style for small children provides perfect protection against abrasion for instance when riding scooters and other “vehicles”

“Go for glamour! Shiny and shimmering shoes!” was the motto of this year’s “Junior Award”. Under the scrutinising eyes of the high-calibre expert jury the design by designer Isabel van de Sand from shoe city Pirmasens was chosen as the winning style. Her murderously high heels convinced the jury with their accomplished mix of luxury, high-tech and glamour.

Exhibitor Testimonials for GDS:
Susana Fernandes, Head of Marketing at Clarks: “GDS is all about having a presence. And we succeeded in doing this. The interest taken in our shoes was “ginormous” and the press feedback extremely positive.”

Stephan Krug, Country Manager at G-Star: “On the first day fewer visitors were on site. This was certainly also due to the weather complicating travel arrangements. The second day was notably better attended. The quality of the customers was good. We were visited by the right chain stores and E-commerce players.”

Dr. Elena Terrin, Owner of Donna Carolina: "We even took more orders on the first day than a year ago. Attendance is great especially in the mornings where we are very busy. But we also prepare the trade fair well, selectively inviting buyers and coordinating appointments. We have been represented at GDS for 40 years now.”

Stefan Bruder, Managing Director Abro: “We were actually quite satisfied with the outcome of the trade fair. Retailers particularly liked our handle bags, a retro style from the 1950s, which we offer in a number of colours.”  

Ulrich Focke, Distribution Manager at Lloyd: “In terms of the quality level we expected to see from the outset, we can draw quite a positive balance. Especially on the last two days visitor movement was satisfactory by all means. Furthermore, the response we got to the collection has been good and we had interesting conversations. Although the trade fair dates were pretty late this year it is important for us to continue supporting GDS as the leading trade fair.”

Exhibitor Testimonial GLOBAL SHOES:
Horst Kunz, Founder of Taxi Raggazzi: "We meet all key accounts at Global Shoes such as Humanic, Klauser, Reno, Vögele and Zalando. Add to this such international customers as Globo or Primadonna. For us the decision to come here was right – also in terms of the orders taken here. And, of course, because of the new customers.”

GDS – International Event for Shoes & Accessories and GLOBAL SHOES – leading trade show for sourcing were held at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre from 13 to 15 March 2013. A total of 1,158 exhibitors (858 GDS and 300 Global Shoes) from 39 countries presented the trends for the 2013/14 Autumn/Winter season over three trade fair days. 

The next GDS / GLOBAL SHOES will be held from 11 to 13 September 2013 and from 12 – 14 March 2014.

(22/03/2013)