The SHOES DÜSSELDORF show took place earlier this month (5-7 March) at Areal Böhler in Germany. “A lively ambience, a positive mood and more openness towards new trends characterised the course of the show,” organisers said.

Exhibitors and visitors alike confirmed the relevance of the industry event for the German market and beyond. The trade show also registered more international traffic than at its previous year’s edition. Next to buyers from the neighbouring countries, including above all Benelux and Austria, retailers also travelled to Düsseldorf from Italy, Canada, Palestine, Portugal, Scandinavia, Turkey and Ukraine to place their orders for Autumn/Winter 2023/24.

The stylish, open-plan atmosphere of Areal Böhler as well as the carefully curated ranges of 590 brands in total (of these 75 per cent from abroad again this time) meets with a positive response among exhibitors and visitors.

“SHOES DÜSSELDORF is by far the most beautiful trade show of them all,” said Sylvia Klemens of Waldläufer.

Go, look, buy!

In addition to the line-up of high fashion and high quality shoes for women, men and children, buyers also appreciated the possibility at SHOES DÜSSELDORF to find and order complementing products, such as accessories and fashion pieces for their stores.

“The outfit idea is centre stage here,” commented Igedo Director, Ulrike Kähler. “We view it as our task to give footwear retailers ideas of how to further upgrade and emotionalise their stores by means of fashion and accessories.”

The motto “Move on” is taken literally, as Ulrike Kähler explained: “We are not standing still either. We constantly evolve – with the aim of offering retail a curated line-up of ranges and a perfect place for orders, communication and networking.”

In all of this, individuality is key: the many small, openly designed stands invite visitors to discover new labels. Innovation and inspiration also featured in the “Kids Corner”, which was designed like a concept store in cooperation with the organiser Squares.

Sharing their thoughts on the show this month, exhibitors and visitors only had good things to say…

“We like being here and we’ll always be glad to come back,” said Michael Schreiber, MD of Cinque Shoes & Herrlicher. “We appreciate SHOES DÜSSELDORF for the exchange with retailers and colleagues. In addition, we have also gained new customers, including from textile retail.”

Meanwhile, Christian Ast, Commercial Director Central Europe for Cole Haan, added: “This is our first time at SHOES DÜSSELDORF. Our location and also the response was very good – news is in demand. What is noticeable, however, is that most of the business cards are of international origin.”

And Klaudia Werdin, Owner of Schuh & Mode Leukers, Straelen, had this to say: “It is always worth coming to SHOES DÜSSELDORF; it’s of great importance to us and a place of inspiration.”

Lastly, the trade show’s media events also met with a positive response: be it trend lectures, the HDS/L press conference or the presentation of the HDS/L Junior Award 2023 to two creative designers from the shoe city of Pirmasens.

The next edition of SHOES DÜSSELDORF will be held at Areal Böhler from 27-29 August 2023.