EXPO RIVA SCHUH & GARDABAGS: a key meeting point for footwear and leather goods
From June 14 to 17, 2025, the city of Riva del Garda, Italy, will once again welcome professionals from around the world for a new edition of EXPO RIVA SCHUH & GARDABAGS.
Organized by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi SpA, the event gathers exhibitors from 41 countries and buyers from over 100 nationalities.
As usual, the fair will mark the opening of the business season for the volume footwear, leather goods, and fashion accessories sectors.
In addition to showcasing the latest collections, the fair will develop content ranging from trend presentations in the Highlights Area and technological solutions in Innovation Village Retail, to market insights in Market Focus.
One of the main changes in this edition will be the renewal of the GARDABAGS exhibition format, which not only reorganizes the physical space but also reshapes the way the commercial relationship between brands and buyers is structured.
The new approach aims to facilitate the search for strategic business partners, through a selection of exhibitors based on the type of proposal and the connection they establish with visitors, beyond price, product category, or country of origin.
The redesign foresees a significant increase in the presence of collections of handbags, bags, and accessories compared to previous editions.
Pavilions A2 and B2 will host around 100 exhibitors, arranged into three main areas: Gardabags Sourcing, which includes manufacturers and traders targeting mass or discount channel buyers; Gardabags Sourcing4Bridge, dedicated to companies capable of offering more structured services, including own models and customized developments; Gardabags Brands, reserved for brands showcasing their own collections.
This edition of GARDABAGS will also present the key trends for the Autumn-Winter 2025/26 season. Among them: the return of the men's briefcase, combining functionality with visual appeal; widespread use of exotic textures, both real and printed; the resurgence of natural and synthetic fur; and a focus on shapes and handles, which are becoming distinctive elements of design.
As a major commercial showcase, EXPO RIVA SCHUH & GARDABAGS is also a platform for innovation, ideas, and information.
In the Innovation Village Retail area, more than fifty startups have participated in previous editions, presenting solutions for the footwear and leather goods distribution sector.
This track record led the event’s scientific committee to speak at the Sustainability Summit held in April in Birmingham by the British Footwear Association, where they addressed the role of artificial intelligence in the industry.
Far from being just a support tool, artificial intelligence is emerging as a transformative engine in a sector historically tied to artisanal know-how. Growing demands in terms of sustainability, operational efficiency, and consumer expectations are driving a comprehensive review of the entire value chain.
In this context, the fair presents itself as the ideal environment to discuss and identify how these technologies can be strategically and concretely integrated.
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