São Paulo – At least 16 importers from Arab countries will attend Francal, the footwear and accessories exhibition slated for July 6th to 9th in São Paulo. The executives are part of a group of foreign buyers invited by the show’s organizers for this year’s edition: 207 importers from 30 countries will attend. The Arabs involved in the project include four Saudis, one Egyptian, five Emiratis, two Kuwaitis, two Lebanese and two Sudanese businessmen.
“I believe that apart from them, others will come spontaneously, like they always have,” says Abdala Jamil Abdala, the chairman of Francal Feiras, which organizes the expo. This year, however, the event will happen during Ramadan, the holy month of Muslims, in which they fast during the day and celebrate at night, often causing business activities to slow down. In 2015, Ramadan will last from June 18th to July 17th.
The importers invited by the expo will get free lodging. Arabs attend Francal on a regular basis, since it is Brazil’s leading exhibition, where local manufacturers commercialize their Spring-Summer shoe collections. “The Arab market is an excellent market for shoes. They aren’t producers, so they import lots of shoes,” Abdala told ANBA.
The Francal Feiras chairman says those countries used to buy higher volumes, when the US dollar-to-Brazilian real ratio was favorable to exports. For some time, the dollar lost value in relation to the real, but hiked again in the past few months, and this should spur foreign sales anew.
Francal doesn’t usually invite importers and pay their expenses, but is doing so this year due to the Brazilian economic scenario. “We are watching as domestic consumption plummets,” says Abdala, adding that the domestic market is not buying as much as the industry needs. On the other hand, he remarks, Brazil is a major footwear exporter – the third leading manufacturer and exporter. “We have analyzed the scenario carefully,” the chairman said.
Francal will also cover lodging expenses for 410 Brazilian retailers selected by the expo’s exhibitors. It will also provide financial aid for bus caravans with people from 43 small and medium stores across Brazil that otherwise would not be able to attend. Those coming from up to a 500 km radius will return on the same day, but those who live farther will spend the night.
Francal usually receives around 1,400 importers. According to Abdala, over the past few years the number went down somewhat, due to the unfavorable export conditions, but this year 1,300 to 1,500 foreigners are expected. “Brazilian footwear has always been exportable; it has quality and design, and the current US dollar price has made it competitive,” the executive says. He believes now is a good time to export.
The exhibition takes place at Parque Anhembi exhibition center, in an 82,000 square meter area. Over 800 national manufacturers will be exhibiting 2,000 brands of men’s and women’s, children’s and sports shoes, purses, backpacks, belts, wallets and suitcases, costume jewelry and other fashion accessories. Over 50,000 storeowners are expected. Besides trade, Francal also features an area for discussion of topics such as the production chain and fashion trends, among others. The event is for industry professionals only.
Francal 2015 – 47th International Footwear and Fashion Accessories Fair
Dates: July 6th to 9th
Time: 10am to 8pm (on the 9th, from 10am to 5pm)
Venue: Pavilhão de Exposições do Anhembi – São Paulo
For additional information, call (+55 11) 2226-3100
Website: www.feirafrancal.com.br
Promoted/Organized by: Francal Feiras
Free admission, for industry professionals only. Under 14’s will not be admitted, even if accompanied.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
