EFICA improved the mood of the sector

Pending the effects of the new government measures, the industry is waiting to begin a recovery period.

On Sunday 12, Monday 13 and Tuesday 14, January 2020, from 12 a.m. to 9 p.m., the 102nd edition of EFICA, the international Argentine footwear fair, was held. The place was Costa Salguero, the fairground 15 minutes away from downtown Buenos Aires and adjacent to Aeroparque.

In a total area of 6 thousand m2, they exhibited the new footwear collections for Fall-Winter 2020, more than 100 Argentine factories and brands located in 200 stands.

The exhibitors mostly came from Buenos Aires city and province; while visitors had the same origin, accompanied by a good presence of buyers from the different provinces of the national territory. With reference to foreign visits, attended the event merchants and manufacturers from Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and Brazil. According to unofficial figures, the number of buyers reached approximately 5 thousand people.

Areas of interest

Pavilions 2 and 3 congregated the entire offer, which was divided into a larger space with footwear of different lines for men, women and children; while in the area called High Range exhibited around 30 companies that produce footwear with export quality and differentiated design. Also leather goods and manufactures manufacturers had their own space.

Offer characteristics

It was presented a wide range of qualities and prices, according to the needs of the different buyers. A good update in the designs was highlighted, according to the latest international trends; a good level of elaboration and terminations; and the use in many cases of high quality materials.

Awaiting consumption evolution

On the part of the merchants, the buying attitude was measured and rational, pending the evolution that the consumer market will have, given the economic measures that the new government is implementing. In general, merchants bought what was necessary to assemble the first seasonal stocks. In this regard, comparatively to previous seasons, expectations were more positive and were confirmed in higher sales volumes. However, it should be noted that the results were not similar for everyone, since much depended on the products presented, recognition of the company, prices, financing and services offered by each exhibitor.

The fair, in its central hours, had a very good influx of audiences during the 3 days, which added to the business carried out, generated a better mood in the sector.

Data to take into account

Summarizing opinions of leaders, exhibitors, buyers, authorities and participants in general who were present at EFICA, an encouraging panorama for the medium-term footwear sector can be drawn, depending on the implementation of official measures for the revival of consumption and the firm government determination of greater control over imports. This creates an interesting space for the development of local production, with a view to eventual growth in demand. Such a situation would allow the recovery of industrial activity, with the consequent greater occupation of labor.

Buyers had the opportunity to tour all the stands and select the most convenient products.

Authorities present

The exhibition had the presence the Ministry of Productive Development of the Nation, represented by the Secretaries of Industry, Ariel Schale, and the SME, Guillermo Merediz, the Undersecretary Pyme Pablo Bercovich and the President of the INTI, Dr. Rubén Geneyro, among other national authorities and representatives of colleagues chambers.

New communication and sales tools

As of this edition, “EFICA DIGITAL” was launched, the new website created by the Chamber of Footwear of Buenos Aires, where merchants can virtually tour the different offers of footwear exhibited at the fair. Through it, those associated to the entity may update their offer throughout the season. The platform allows interactivity between buyers and sellers in an agile and direct way.