Forty Spanish footwear companies are leading the charge at Expo Riva Schuh for the Summer 2027 season

Internationalization of the Footwear Sector

A delegation of 40 Spanish exhibitors, representing 60 brands, will participate in the Expo Riva Schuh & Garda Bags trade fair in Italy from June 13-16. The event, organized by FICE and ICEX, is key for presenting the Spring/Summer 2027 collections and gauging global demand.

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A delegation of 40 Spanish exhibitors, representing 60 brands, will participate in the fair from June 13 to 16. Expo Riva Schuh & Garda Bags en Italia. The event, organized by the Spanish Footwear Industries Federation (FICE) with the support of ICEX España Exportación e InversionesIt is key to presenting the Spring/Summer 2027 collections and testing global demand.

Expo Riva Schuh: Global thermometer for volume footwear

With 105 editions behind them, Expo Riva Schuh It consolidates its position as the leading international trade fair for mid-range, high-volume footwear. Held in Riva del GardaThis event serves as a crucial barometer for the sector, being the first event on the international calendar to unveil the following year's summer collections. This early access allows international buyers to plan their orders well in advance, while for exhibitors it represents a unique opportunity to test their collections and adjust production depending on the initial reception.

The fair, organized by Riva del Garda FierecongressiIt not only looks to the future but also addresses the needs of the present. It is, in fact, the last major event to finalize orders for the 26/27 winter season, thanks to the presentation of fast-fashion and restocked collections. This year, more than a thousand brands from 44 countries will be present, with a significant number of exhibitors from outside the region. Unión Europea (62,4%), which underlines its global character. China It maintains its leadership with 34,5% of exhibitors, followed by Italia (17%), Turquía (10,6%) and India (9,4%), along with prominent delegations from countries such as España, Brasil, Alemania o Portugal.

The Spanish delegation: stability and a commitment to exports

The Spanish participation, which remains stable, consists of forty exhibitors and sixty brands, two of which will be exhibiting in Garda BagsThe space dedicated to bags and travel accessories is celebrating its 16th edition. This delegation will occupy more than 1.500 square meters, highlighting the importance of Spanish products in the international market. The regional distribution of companies reflects the concentration of the sector: 70% of the exhibitors come from the Comunidad Valenciana (specifically from the province of Alicante), 20% of the Región de Murcia and the remaining 10% of La Rioja.

The strategic relevance of this event has been underlined by Vicente Pastor, President of FICEwho values ​​the Spanish presence positively: "The stability of Spanish participation in an internationally renowned trade fair such as Expo Riva Schuh This demonstrates our companies' confidence in foreign markets and their firm commitment to internationalization. This event is an excellent opportunity to present the Spring/Summer 2027 collections to buyers from around the world and to gauge the evolution of international demand."

Geographical Distribution of Spanish Exhibitors

Region	Percentage of total	Number of Companies (approx.)
Comunidad Valenciana (Alicante)	70 %	28
Región de Murcia	20 %	8
La Rioja	10 %	4

Sector analysis: footwear exports in the first quarter of 2026

Participation in the trade fair comes at a time of slight contraction in the value of exports, but with a significant increase in volume. According to the latest data, Spanish footwear exports during the first quarter of 2026 reached... 933,4 millones de eurosThis represents a 0,1% decrease compared to the same period in 2025. However, the volume of exported pairs grew by 3%, to 46 million pairsThis mismatch suggests possible pressure on average prices, but also greater penetration into international markets.

Within this scenario, the segment that shows the best performance is the women's leather shoeswhose exports by volume increased by a remarkable 14,2%, indicating strong demand for higher value-added and quality products, a niche where the Spanish industry is especially competitive.

Spanish Footwear Exports (Q1 2026 vs. Q1 2025)

Indicator	Figure (Q1 2026)	Variation vs. Q1 2025
Price	933,4 millones de euros	-0,1%
Volume	46 million pairs	+ 3,0 %

Key points and frequently asked questions about the Spanish presence in Expo Riva Schuh 2026

What does this trade fair represent for a Spanish footwear company?

According to an executive in the sector, Expo Riva Schuh It is a strategic platform for internationalization. It allows collections to be presented more than a year in advance to a global audience (83,5% European visitors and 10% from other countries). Asia), receive immediate feedback to adjust production and close orders for both the future and current seasons.

How does the evolution of exports affect the sector's strategy?

The increase in volume (+3%) compared to the stability in value (-0,1%) is forcing companies to analyze their margins and strengthen higher-value segments. The 14,2% growth in women's leather footwear is a clear indication of where competitive strength lies, guiding the strategy towards quality and design as differentiating factors against price competition.

What should Spanish exporters know about the buyer profile at this event?

It is essential to understand that the profile of the professional visitor is diverse and strategic. 26,8% are retailers18% are distributors and 7,2% are importers. Furthermore, the growing importance of the online channel is reflected in the 6% of e-commerce representatives. This segmentation allows exporters to tailor their sales pitch to each type of contact.