Messe Düsseldorf, organisers of the GDS shoe fair, is tapping into this enthusiasm for branded shoes and bags to develop its activities in China. In line with wishes voiced by numerous European associations and companies, Messe Düsseldorf will now be holding the first GDS Select – Premium European Shoe Fair from April 17-19, 2013. The special show will be held as part of the China International Footwear & Leathergoods Exhibition – CIFL at Shanghai Exhibition Center (SEC). The event will be supported by the China Commerce Association for General Merchandise (CCAGM), the state retail federation whose members include all renowned department stores and shopping centres in the country. Another edition of GDS Select planned for Autumn 2013 will run in parallel with the CHIC fashion fair in Beijing.
European brands popular in China
Despite its slight economic slowdown currently, China is a promising market for many manufacturers of fashionable leather goods and one that to set to become even more important in the years ahead, especially for German and European companies.
Messe Düsseldorf, organizers of GDS have been active in China since 1999 and boasts its own subsidiary with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Shenyang. The task of Messe Düsseldorf China is, on the one hand, to market Düsseldorf events in the People’s Republic of China in order to canvass exhibitors and visitors and, on the other, to successfully develop and hold trade fairs in China together with Chinese and international associations.
At present, over 60 members of staff are tasked with these activities in China. Together with the GDS team in Düsseldorf they help export-oriented companies in the shoe and leather sectors enter the growth market that is China facilitating their work with trading and distribution networks.
