EFICA returned in face-to-face format and seasonal sales began
After two years of absence, from Sunday 9th to Tuesday 11th January 2022, the face-to-face fair of Argentine footwear was held in Costa Salguero, Buenos Aires, with the participation of the main factories and local brands, which exhibited their new Fall-Winter 2022 collections.
With a new layout and standardization of stands, the event showed an attractive and orderly appearance, which pleased the visitors, due to its ease and comfort for its tour, and also the exhibitors, which allowed them to reduce investments in the assembly of special stands.
At the business level, for most of the exhibitors the final balance was positive since under the prevailing conditions, sales were made to regular customers and contacts were established with new buyers. However, as usual, the results were different depending on the characteristics of the products, conditions of sale and competitiveness of the offer of each exhibitor.
For many exhibitors, despite the adversities: a time of higher infection rate, high temperatures and energy insufficiency, with the strict implementation of the protocols, it was possible to summon the main buyers in the country and to realize the initial sales, which will then continue and they will be complemented by digital channels.
All agreed that the pandemic, the holiday period and the weather situation had an impact on the volume of visitors, but the need for sales and purchases by manufacturers and merchants overcame the contingency and a first step was taken towards a season that is looming with good forecasts.
EFICA occupied pavilions 2 and 3 of Costa Salguero in Buenos Aires, with more than 5,000 m2 of surface, which housed around 200 stands and 150 brands of national companies and local production, reported from CIC, the Chamber of the Footwear Industry of Buenos Aires, organizer of the event. Estimates not yet confirmed reported a turnout of more than 1,600 people.
On Tuesday, January 11th, the official visit of authorities of the National Government was received: the Minister of Productive Development Matías Kulfas, the Secretary of Small and Medium Enterprises and Entrepreneurs Guillermo Meredíz and the Undersecretary of SME Financing and Competitiveness Laura Tuero.
On the occasion, Alberto Sellaro, president of the Chamber of the Footwear Industry, referred to the current situation of the industry, noting that “during 2021, there was a strong reactivation of production exceeding 100 million pairs. In the last year and a half, investments were added in new production lines, robotization of processes, incorporation of new technology and the reopening of several companies that manufactured for international brands and returned to produce in the country”.
Regarding the face-to-face fair, Sellaro stressed that it began with good business expectations, since merchants and producers met again, resuming the dynamics of previous years.
"We receive visitors from all over Argentina and buyers from Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Australia and Paraguay, in an auspicious work environment for the coming season", he concluded.
It will take place from June 26th to 28th, 2022 with the presentation of the new collections for the summer season.
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