EFICA: Argentine footwear faces import challenges
The latest edition of the traditional fair of Argentine footwear manufacturers and brands was held at the Costa Salguero venue in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
This time, CEMCA, the exhibition for manufacturers and importers of handbags, bags, backpacks, and travel goods, joined the event.
In both cases, EFICA y CEMCA, products from Asian countries and Brazil were observed.
The event took place on November 24, 25, and 26 in Pavilions 4 and 5, with over 6,000 m² of exhibition space. A total of 150 exhibitors participated, occupying a larger number of stands. Pavilion 4 was 50% composed of leather goods exhibitors, which increased the fair's volume compared to past events. The products displayed were aimed at the upcoming Autumn-Winter 2025 season.
An estimated 3,000 people attended, including buyers from across Argentina and neighboring countries such as Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and Brazil.
The selection primarily featured closed footwear styles such as high-quality leather boots and booties with updated designs. Casual and informal lines stood out over formal ones. In flat shoes, there was an interesting range of ballerina flats and moccasins. In the sports segment, there was a presence of national products, which are exposed to competition from imports, especially from major international brands.
The leading brand in manufacturing and marketing GRIMOLDI showcased various local and imported brands and products, including MERRELL, HUSH PUPPIES, VANS, THE NORTH FACE, and CAT.
Other Argentine manufacturers, such as PASOTTI and FERLI, displayed Brazilian footwear brands DEMÓCRATA and BOAONDA, respectively, alongside their own production.
GRAVAGNA, for its part, presented its collection alongside FANGIO men’s footwear and VALERIA MAZZA, an exclusive line supervised by the renowned Argentine model. In luxury women’s footwear, the new collections from PIETRA'S and SAVERIO DI RICCI stood out, while in men’s footwear, TALPINI, GIORGIO BENETI, and FAUSTO MILANO were references for quality and design.
New participants included KIOSHI, a comfort footwear brand, and BICONTINENTAR from Chivilcoy, presenting its new ARGIE football boots.
In the current Argentine economy, where consumption is subdued and imports are increasingly facilitated, Argentine manufacturers face a period of high competitiveness where creativity, production efficiency, and commercial strategy are key to survival.
According to exhibitors at EFICA, purchases were cautious, based on expectations regarding market development, directly tied to changes implemented by the national government.
Retailers, in turn, are working with minimal stock levels and tighter purchasing controls in response to declining sales, awaiting a potential recovery in consumption.
In summary, amidst a medium-term uncertain outlook that makes forecasting difficult, manufacturers and buyers renewed their hope for political, social, and economic stability, which could lead to concrete measures to boost consumption.
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