New leather fair announced
Messe Düsseldorf has announced a new presentation platform for leather goods, the Great Leather Show (GLS).
GLS will make its debut in spring 2006 and run concurrently with the international shoe fair, GDS, which features some 1,500 exhibitors from nearly 50 nations. Organisers expect well over 40,000 trade visitors from 80 countries.
The GLS product range will include bags, small leather items, belts, gloves, gifts and promotional items in leather and leather-like materials, luggage and travel accessories, college and office items and umbrellas.
GLS will be held in a separate area but directly adjacent to the GDS halls and therefore immediately accessible.
According to the Association of German Leather Goods Retailers (BLE), the market volume for leatherware totalled €1.8 billion in 2003. According to the BLE, specialist leatherware retailers only account for approximately 43% of the market – and figures are falling. In response to this Messe Düsseldorf hopes that the new event will promote this sector.
