GDS fashion show with 6% more exhibitors

23 Aug '08

5 min read

The 106th GDS – International Event for Shoes & Accessories rings in the order season for Spring/Summer 2009 with a slight 6% rise in exhibitors despite the difficult market situation.

Approximately 820 exhibitors from 32 countries will present 1,950 collections on 103,000 m² at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre from 12 to 14 September (in comparison with September 2007 event).

Also featured for the first time will be brands such as Fossil and Fredsbruder from Germany, Dolfie and Farrutx from Spain, DC Co from Italy and Simple as well as TOMS Shoes from the USA.

After Germany (+ 9%) Italy (+ 18%), Spain (on par with 2007), the Netherlands (+ 3%), Portugal (+ 30%) and the United Kingdom (minus 9%) are the most important countries of origin.

Together with GLOBAL SHOES, which will be treated separately this season for the first time, there will be 1,269 exhibitors from 40 countries showing on 128,000 m². The programme of accompanying events was fine-tuned once more to respond to visitors' needs and wishes.

September sees GDS start not only with more exhibitors and a revised agenda of supporting events but also with an altered exhibition concept: in addition to the move into new exhibition halls the segments of GDS were reorganised and re-structured.

Explaining the concept in the run-up to the trade fair GDS Director Kirstin Deutelmoser said: “We have capitalised on the move to the new exhibition halls for re-launching our segments and for reorganising them.

The new orientation of GDS has required a great deal of effort from the entire team. But now it is nice to see that the market has accepted our new concept. Even though the mood in the retail sector is currently more subdued I look to the forthcoming GDS with optimism.”

The essential changes at a glance:
- Newly assorted areas with revised links create homogeneous lifestyle worlds.
- A more coherent visitor flow management ensures even better and faster orientation for buyers.
- The look and feel of the halls will be changed over to a clear, modern design in all areas.
- GLS will be completely incorporated into GDS thereby creating a symbiosis between shoes and accessories.
- An even stronger focus on trends at GDS will echo current societal tendencies
- Assured planning in terms of dates on account of the changed hall layout.
- New features in the line-up of accompanying events at the trade fair strengthen the informative character of GDS.

Many exhibitor “neighbourhoods” were re-arranged for the forthcoming GDS, new segments were designed. Nevertheless, even longstanding GDS visitors will easily find their way around the halls and track down their suppliers.

For instance, the newly installed area urban spirit showcases brands (such as El Naturalista, L'O, Simple, Terra Plana and TOMS Shoes) with a sustainable attitude towards man and nature following a philosophy that reconciles economic requirements with ethical demands.

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