...attended GDS and GLOBAL SHOES over the free/four days of the events – 80% of visitors were managers with decision-making powers. They were welcomed on Friday by an impressive opening show featuring Lisa Tomachewsky as its celebrity guest. This actress causing a stir at the start of the year with the film „Heute bin ich blond“ and previously working as a model was presented by the lifestyle group Highline United and GDS and attracted a great deal of attention in her shoes care of the footwear firm ASH.

Avid Interest in the New GDS Concept

This interest was only exceeded by the press conference on the new GDS concept held on Thursday afternoon – over 70 trade journalists accepted the invitation to find out more about the innovations. GDS and GLOBAL SHOES Director Kirstin Deutelmoser was delighted at the great turnout: „ I can´t remember any press GDS conference that was as well attended as today´s. And the spontaneous response we received from exhibitors seeing the concept for the first time encouraged us in our plans.“

The press conference was followed by further presentations on the large fashion stage aimed at also informing GDS exhibitors about the new concept.

Spectators heard that GDS will now be earlier, more marketoriented, trendier and more international as this suits the sector´s needs, explained Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf: „As a leading fair we want to allow retailers the chance for guidance at the start of the season. Exhibitors should not just see Düsseldorf as a kick-off event for their innovations but should also use its PR opportunities to stage their brands.“

Light Boots, Pointed Flats and Sport Hybrids are In

While journalists and exhibitors were already finding out about future of GDS, retailers focused on the new styles of the 2014 Spring/Summer season. As proven by an exclusive survey of the GDS, there is great demand for focus trends like light boots, pointed flats, sport hybrids and summer loafers. In particular, pointed flats play a very key role both in Germany and abroad. As expected, German retailers looked more to light boots while Southern Europeans went for summer loafers. The style choices made by German retailers is influenced here by negative experiences of this current summer: 56% of German retailers polled said that sales this summer were worse than last year. However, the mood amongst foreign retailers was positive: two thirds reported similar or even better sales than in Summer 2012.

What respondents did, however, agree on were the key colours of the forthcoming summer season. Here there were few differences at home and abroad, not only on the top two classics – beige/bown tones and black – but also on the actual trend colours. The key common denominators were as follows in this order: silver/gold, neutrals, black/white, indigo/denim and white.

APICCAPS and GDS present International Yearbook

Thursday the Portuguese shoe association APICCAPS join forces with GDS to present the „World Footwear Yearbook 2013“, a comprehensive reference work for the global shoe market. In the presentation spectators were given particular insight into the US market and China´s impact on the worldwide shoe market. However, the Portuguese colleagues not only brought figures to Düsseldorf but also presented the „Portuguese Innovation Awards“ at GDS honouring young talents at the footwear industry.

Many Sectoral Events During GDS

However, there was not just excitement at the fair itself. For instance, Lloyd already used GDS on the Tuesday evening for an unofficial kick-off. Under the fading „Follow the Red Stripe“ retailers, partners, and the press were invited to an event celebrating the firm´s 125th anniversary.

The Wednesday then followed with a presentation of the „schuhkurier Awards“ – the shoe sector´s answer to the Oscars – by the shoe magazine of the same name. Dr. Deichmann was honoured here for his life´s work. The laudatory speech was held by Wolfgang Clement.

A less formal event but one with a great vibe was the official GDS Party on Thursday with its Caribbean theme „Bahama Mama“.

GDS – international event for shoes & accessories was held from 11 to 13 September 2013 and GLOBAL SHOES – leading trade show for sourcing from 10 to 13 September 2013 at Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. A total of 1,156 exhibitors (815 GDS and 341 Global Shoes) from 41 countries presented trends for the Spring/Summer season.

The next edition of GDS will be held from 12 to 14 March 2014. GLOBAL SHOES will be held one day earlier running from 11 to 14 March 2014.

GDS, Düsseldorf
(19/09/2013)