Germany: footwear industry improves results in 2001
Germany’s footwear industry association, HDS has released figures for 2001 showing a 9.6% increase in exports to DM 1.67 billion. In terms of production, the good growth in exports counteracted the weakness in the domestic market where sales fell 2.7% to DM 4.28 billion. Imports overall fell 4.1% to 314.6 million pairs while footwear produced in Germany accounted for 34 million pairs. According to the HDS, there are some 133 factories producing footwear in Germany, employing around 16,500 people.
The figures were released to coincide with the 93rd edition of the GDS International Shoe Fair - one of Europe’s biggest footwear events (held in Dusseldorf, March 14-17, 2002). The show is traditionally where exhibitors present new collections for the next Autumn/Winter season. According to the organisers this year there will be around 1700 exhibitors occupying 87,000 square metres of exhibition space.
