Brazil's 2008 leather and shoe sector season has started today, January 14 in São Paulo. The 35th edition of the International Shoes, Sportsgoods and Leathergoods Fair (Couromoda), an event regarded as the leading showcase of the Brazilian shoe industry, will be held from January 14 to 17 at Anhembi Park, in the capital of the southeastern Brazilian state of São Paulo.
The fair is the largest in the sector in Latin America and the fourth in the global ranking. A total of 1,100 manufacturers of leather shoes and accessories will display their collections, setting fashion trends for the autumn-winter and spring-summer seasons. Together, they will occupy 80,000 square meters (861,000 square feet) at Anhembi Park.
Approximately 3,000 brands are going to showcase products combining different materials, techniques, concepts and designs. Around 70,000 storeowners, distributors from all over Brazil and importers from over 60 different countries are expected to attend the event.
During the four days of Couromoda 2008, they are going to view and purchase the collections that will be on display, at the disposal of consumers, in the coming months.
Products by 176 micro and small businesses from shoe producer hubs in the states of Rio Grande do Sul (South), Santa Catarina (South), São Paulo (Southeast), Rio de Janeiro (Southeast), Paraíba (Northeast), Minas Gerais (Southeast) and Goiás (Midwest) will be present at the stands supported by the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae) and partnering institutions.
In all, the micro and small businesses will occupy 3,500 square meters (37,000 sq feet), totaling an investment of 1.5 million reais (US$ 850,000), of which Sebrae accounts for 30%.
"Couromoda is not just a fair, it is a large fashion forum and an indicator of trends. Couromoda is the starting point for the leather and shoe chain to start moving each year," says Francisco Santos, the event's founder and president.
The 12th Brazilian Shoe Congress will kick off on January 13, at 02:00 pm, in the Elis Regina auditorium at Anhembi Park.
Service
35th Couromoda – International Shoes, Sportsgoods and Leathergoods Fair
From January 14th to 17th, 2008
Anhembi Park, São Paulo
Site: www.couromoda.com.br
Sebrae
