Success of "Spanish Steps", the first Spanish footwear and Leather Goods Exhibition in the Balkans

Last April the 1st, ended "Spanish Steps", the first exhibition of the Spanish footwear for the Balkans, celebrated in Belgrade.

“ Spanish Steps” was intended principally to raise awareness of quality and design of the Spanish footwear in the ex-Yugoslav republics. The event was attended by 50 companies, 50% were Serbs, and the other 50% from Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro.

In the event, the "Autumn-Winter 2009/2010" collections of 28 best Spanish brands were presented. Many of the visiting companies have got a very good impression of the over 1400 samples exposed and recognized for quality and design, and in some cases they have even signed operations, canceling orders were previously closed a few weeks before in MICAM, one of the most important international fairs of footwear.

According to Sergio Calderon, Project Manager and member of Alhambra Trading & Consulting, the event was a success. "The most important challenge we face was to attract companies from other republics to attend the exhibition; the Italian footwear has been introduced for many years in these markets, and it is difficult to make people see that there are other options that offer the same quality and design. We know that in order to change this perception we need to work in the medium and long term, and I think that with this first attempt, we have taken a big step, and we will repeat it, bringing even more brands after the success of the project, and inviting back not only to distributors, but also to the final customer, who is the one who will benefit from these kind of actions".

Spain has an ancient footwear industry, being the 4th largest producer in the world with over 2.000 shoe manufacturers, being the only country that has succeeded in increasing its exports in 2008, a difficult year for the industry. In addition, over 90% of the Spanish footwear brands keep their production in Spain, something that differs from its most direct competitors.