South African leathergoods companies hope to capture Middle Eastern hearts
15/02/2018
Fifteen South African companies will be joining around 25 other businesses from Italy, Australia, Thailand, Pakistan, India, Lebanon and the UAE at the fourth edition of the show, which is also sponsored by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and local tannery Al Khaznah.
WEEF, a South Africa-based small leathergoods company, says Middle Eastern men are focusing more on their appearance and grooming.
Its founder, Dévan Swanepoel, said: “Consumers are also moving away from mass-produced goods and are supporting handmade, small-batch goods made by individuals with passion. Each product is numbered and signed by the craftsman adding to its uniqueness. Leather is a medium that will never go out of style.”
The retail value of the Middle East’s leathergoods market was $1.54 billion in 2017, slightly higher than the $1.46 billion in 2016, according to research firm Euromonitor International.
Leatherworld Middle East takes place from 27 February to 1 March 2018 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
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