The Expo Riva Schuh fair hosted a significant Spanish presence, with 40 exhibitors and 60 brands. Of these, 28 exhibitors come from Elche, underscoring the importance of the Alicante province and the Elche footwear cluster in this global event.
The Minister of Industry, Tourism, Innovation, and Commerce, Marián Cano, visited the event in Italy, where she highlighted the leadership of Valencian footwear and the role of the Valencian Community as a benchmark in the international sector market. Cano stated that 'once again, we witness firsthand the commitment of companies from the Valencian Community, and in this case from the province of Alicante, to major international events,' emphasizing that continuous presence at these fairs opens new commercial channels and strengthens relationships with key buyers.
Expo Riva Schuh is recognized as the most important international fair for mid-range volume footwear and the first event of the calendar for presenting collections for Summer 2027, setting trends for future offerings in stores. This year, the event features over 1,000 exhibiting companies from 44 countries, attracting retailers, distributors, importers, and e-commerce operators with purchasing power, which represents, according to Cano, 'a real opportunity for companies to reach interesting commercial agreements'.
The participation of Valencian companies in this fair has a direct impact on their international projection, contributing to market opening, international contact generation, trend validation, strategic information gathering, and strengthening the collective brand of Valencian footwear. The minister toured the stands of Alicante companies to understand their impressions and stressed the importance of listening to the sector's needs to adjust public support policies.
Cano's department is committed to 'continuing to design programs and support with the aim of boosting the internationalization of various sectors of the Valencian economy,' linking this strategy to improving competitiveness and job creation in the footwear industry. The minister praised the 'structural leadership of the Valencian Community' and the sector's ability to adapt and be competitive internationally, with the support of the Ministry and the Council.
The prominent presence of firms from Elche and other shoemaking areas of the Valencian Community at Expo Riva Schuh consolidates the image of the Valencian industry as a solid and stable player, reinforcing its position in a key showcase for purchasing decisions and agreements that will influence the 2027 summer campaign in numerous international markets.
