São Paulo – Online sales and trade shows are here to stay when it comes to footwear exports, argued this Wednesday (13) Haroldo Ferreira (pictured above), CEO of the Brazilian Footwear Industry Association (Abicalçados). During a press conference, the organization told ANBA that although specific numbers regarding sales to Arab countries are not available, the virtual trend is expected to consolidate this year.
“[Brazil] usually engages with the [Arab] region at trade shows in Italy. Expo Riva Schuh, for instance, is going online this January, as are other fairs, like Micam Milano. By June, Brazilian exhibitors are expected to be able to join [other events], but there are two problems [when it comes to in-person attendance]: restrictions and misgivings. That is why we believe this online format may perpetuate itself in the post-Covid era,” explained Ferreira.
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Questioned as to what importers’ trips to fairs in Brazil and abroad, Ferreira explains that the idea is to combine online and brick-and-mortar fairs once they resume. “We have partnered up with [US-based platform] Joor for six months. We’re testing it out. There are importers that operate exclusively via this platform. But we have brick-and-mortar shows in the United States as well as Europe, which we hope will come to pass. And the buyers who’d attend those shows in the past will continue to attend,” Abicalçados’ CEO said.
Improved outlook in 2021
Last year saw 93.8 million pairs of shoes exported from Brazil, down 18.6% from 2019. Year-to-date through November 2020, domestic output was 654.1 million pairs, down 23.4% year-on-year.
In case vaccination becomes a reality in Brazil and retail stays open, Abicalçados predicts that exports will climb by 14.9% compared with 2020. “We should see 107.7 million pairs shipped,” said Ferreira, adding the caveat that this would still mean going back to levels last seen eight years ago.
Domestic output is also expected to go up this year, by 14.1% over 2020 to 810 million pairs – a number on par with 2010 results.
According to the CEO of Abicalçados, the industry is pushing for vaccination. “Industries are interested in vaccination. The Covid vaccine will come about in a different way than, say, the flu shot, because decisions are still being made by the Ministry of Health,” said Ferreira.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
