São Paulo – Importers from six Arab countries will be at Salão Internacional do Couro e do Calçado (SICC), the international leather and footwear show running from May 21 to 23 at the Serra Park in Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul. By last Thursday (3), Arab buyers had confirmed attendance from Oman, the UAE, Kuwait, Egypt, Libya and Sudan, as told to ANBA by one of the executives in the commission tasked with arranging importers’ trips to the SICC, Isaque Weber.
Organizers have invited some 150 buyers from about 40 countries in Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and Europe. The expo will cover air ticket and accommodation for half of them, and accommodations for the remainder. SICC is held by Merkator Feiras e Eventos. Inviting importers and helping meet travel expenses is a strategy put in place by organizers, and Arab always get called up.
According to Weber, some of the frequent Arab fairgoers work with major store chains, therefore their purchasing potential is very strong, even though they do not always buy high value-added goods. “These clients make very big purchases. They’re first on the list,” he says.
The outlook is good regarding exports at the show. SICC will feature Spring-Summer collections, which are the Brazilian industry’s strong suit. Since overall the weather is hotter than colder, manufacturers have specialized in open shoes. Weber notes that the exchange rate is export-friendly right now and domestic sales are slumping, which makes exporting attractive.
Importers are invited to the SICC on the basis of exhibitors’ referrals. The suggestions are looked into by a commission comprising executives like Weber – who’s the sales manager with footwear maker Werner. Non-Brazilian buyers who have been invited in the past and didn’t make any deals don’t get tickets or hotel stays paid for again. Priority is given to those who actually buy at the show.
There are no set plans for guests. They sit down for an initial meeting with the organizers and then they are free to roam the aisles as they please. Weber points out that in addition to guest importers, the SICC also welcomes walk-in visitors.
According to expo’s website, it will welcome exhibitors accounting for a combined 84% of 900 million shoe pairs made each year in Brazil. Besides major industry players and popular brands like Arezzo, Grendene and Vizzano, micro and small businesses are also featured, often in group stands.
Quick facts:
Salão Internacional do Couro e do Calçado (SICC)
May 21 to 23, 2018
Serra Park – Gramado – RS
From 9 am to 7 pm – wholesale only
Find out more: www.sicc.com.br
