GDS 2009 – International Event for Shoes & Accessories, and GLOBAL SHOES 2009 – leading trade show for sourcing, closed in Düsseldorf, Germany to predominantly positive results. According to preliminary counts, over 31,000 buyers came to the fairgrounds (approximately 2,000 visitors or 6% less than a year ago) and 6,200 of them also visited GLOBAL SHOES.  A total of 1,110 exhibitors from 38 countries presented the latest footwear and bag styles. At GDS, 1,870 collections were presented for the Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 season alongside trends for the current season.  In view of the current market situation exhibitors, visitors and the trade fair organizer Messe Düsseldorf all rated the results positively.

Almost every second visitor at GDS 2009 came from outside of Germany (from a total of 91 countries), with the majority arriving from the Benelux countries, Great Britain, Austria, Italy and France. With 60%, the participation of international visitors at GLOBAL SHOES 2009 was even higher: attendees were from 52 countries, with the Benelux countries, Greece, Poland, Spain and France as the leading represented foreign nations. According to a survey, 9 out of 10 visitors rated the trade fairs and the collections on display as positive to very positive and 85% stated that they had seen the latest trends in the industry at GDS. 

  “The quality of our visitors was very high. All important buyers were represented but with smaller teams. The atmosphere in the halls was very positive and characterized by constructive talks. The avid interest taken in our fashion shows and lectures was compelling evidence of the great demand for information retailers have at present,” commented Kirstin Deutelmoser, Project Director of GDS and GLOBAL SHOES. Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, added: “Over the past year the situation in the international shoe business has significantly changed. In light of the current circumstances we can be more than satisfied with the outcome of the trade fair.”

  “GDS has shown that the sector needs a constant in difficult times, a constant that brings together retail and industry and facilitates effective and personal communication,” explained Ralph Rieker, Chairman of the Central Federation of the German Shoe Industry (HDS). “And despite all the in-depth conversations and discussions, retailers did not fail to place orders in Düsseldorf. GDS has entirely fulfilled the expectations of the German shoe industry considering the overall economic climate. Three days of trade fair are now behind us and together we can build on it.” 
  The next staging of GDS and GLOBAL SHOES will be held in Düsseldorf from September 11 – 13, 2009.  For further information on visiting or exhibiting at GDS or GLOBAL SHOES 2009, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit the web site http://www.mdna.com; Subscribe to our blog at http://www.mdna.com/blog/; Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/mdnachicago