Positive signs at Shoe and Leather Guangzhou
According to reports, the Guangzhou Shoe and Leather show, held June 2-4, was smaller than last year, but was far from being a disaster. Official figures have not yet been released, but visitor numbers appeared reasonable up to lunchtime on the final day. The majority of visitors appeared to be of managerial level and a good number were senior management or owners.
However, Patricia Galli of Italy’s national association of manufacturers of machinery for leather, tanning and footwear (ASSOMAC) told leatherbiz that only ten of the association’s members were present compared with 27 last year. Several large Chinese machinery companies were missing, including Dalong, as were several leading Taiwanese shoe-machinery people. Nonetheless, exhibitor coverage was reasonably comprehensive and international.
There were no reports of big orders being sealed, although several had “promising” leads. Buyers clearly have the upper hand right now and one comment was that the real bargaining would take place after the show.
The conclusion has to be that the slight upward trend in the sector observed in Hong Kong earlier in the year is continuing, albeit slowly.
