Colour provided the major theme of the 96^th edition of the GDS International Shoe Fair, held September 18-21 2003 in Düsseldorf, Germany,

The show attracted 40,000 visitors, of which 27,000 were from abroad. The figure was down 4.8% compared with September 2002. The number of exhibitors declined 15%.

Though fewer exhibitors and visitors came from Italy, a greater number attended from new markets such as Brazil and Türkiye. Amongst the first time visitors were delegations from Russia and Asia, particularly Japan, as well as the US.

The show’s new ‘Plazas’ were well received by attendees. The forums were designed to bring fashion close up and convey trends in an entertaining and creative manner. Retailers were also offered assistance in staging shoe fashion in more interesting ways.

The spring and autumn 2004 editions of GDS will be held March 11-14 2004 and September 16-19 2004.

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