ExpoRivaSchuh - International Shoe Fair
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About this event
ExpoRivaSchuh - International Shoe Fair
ExpoRivaSchuh is an international trade show dedicated to the volume footwear industry, bringing together brands, companies, and fashion-leather accessory stakeholders from across the world. The event is organized by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi SpA and is positioned as one of the most important marketplaces for footwear produced at scale, along with leather goods and fashion accessories.
Dates and Location
- Main edition (January 2027): 16 - 19 January 2027
- City and country: Riva del Garda, Italy
- Exhibition venue: Exhibition Centre, Via Baltera, 20, 38066 - Riva del Garda (Italy)
Event Overview
The fair includes a strong business focus for the volume footwear sector, supported by a curated ecosystem of initiatives and networking opportunities. Alongside ExpoRivaSchuh, the show is closely connected with Gardabags, expanding the industry coverage to include bags and related leather accessories.
ExpoRivaSchuh highlights innovation and market trends through dedicated areas and programming, including the innovation-focused space: Innovation Village Retail. This area is designed as an exhibition “village” where start-ups, companies, and professionals can connect and create business opportunities around innovation in footwear and accessories.
Scale and International Reach
The event’s international character is reflected in the participation volume and the global mix of stakeholders. ExpoRivaSchuh presents:
- 1,000 companies and brands
- +100 represented countries
- 8,000 attendees / presences
- 105 editions
- 5 venues involved
Who the Fair Is For
ExpoRivaSchuh is built for trade audiences connected to the footwear and leather accessories supply chain and market ecosystem. Typical participants include companies and brands showcasing product and collections, as well as industry professionals and decision-makers exploring new sourcing opportunities, market directions, and innovation in the volume footwear segment.
In addition to classic exhibition activities, the event’s platform and visitor tools are designed to support engagement before, during, and after the fair—helping participants organize meetings, network strategically, and access catalogs and the full event program.
Innovation and Networking Areas
A key feature of ExpoRivaSchuh is its innovation programming, particularly through Innovation Village Retail. This initiative is intended to help exhibitors and visitors discover innovation first, by featuring projects from start-ups and young companies in a dedicated area.
Digital Platform Support
ExpoRivaSchuh also provides a dedicated digital experience via the Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags App and the event platform login area. The app is described as a tool to multiply business opportunities through functions such as appointment management, strategic networking, consultation of the product catalogue, and access to the events program.
Industry Scope
The core industry focus of ExpoRivaSchuh includes:
- Volume footwear
- Leather goods
- Fashion accessories
- Innovation in retail and product development (through Innovation Village Retail)
Quick Facts (From Official Event Information)
- Event name: Expo Riva Schuh (ExpoRivaSchuh)
- Connected event: Gardabags
- January 2027 dates: 16 - 19 January 2027
- Location: Riva del Garda, Italy
- Exhibition Centre: Via Baltera, 20, 38066 - Riva del Garda (Italy)
- Organizer: Riva del Garda Fierecongressi SpA
Data sheet
ExpoRivaSchuh - International Shoe Fair – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: 16–19 January 2027
Location: Riva del Garda, Italy
Event Status: Upcoming
Research Date: 1 July 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | ExpoRivaSchuh - International Shoe Fair |
| Event Date | 16–19 January 2027 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Exhibition Centre, Via Baltera 20 |
| City | Riva del Garda |
| State / Region | Trentino-Alto Adige / Trento province context |
| Country | Italy |
| Organizer | Riva del Garda Fierecongressi SpA |
| Official Event Website | Expo Riva Schuh / Gardabags official website |
| Event Type | International trade show / B2B sourcing fair |
| Primary Category | Apparel & Clothing |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Retail sourcing, Fashion accessories, Import & Export, Wholesale |
| Audience Reach | Global B2B reach; official website states visitors from over 100 countries |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | 8,000 attendees (official website figure; treated as organizer-published event scale indicator) |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Confirmed by organizer on official website, but no independently audited attendance report was found in the provided source text |
| Main Purpose of Event | International sourcing, wholesale buying, trend discovery, networking, and business development for volume footwear, leather goods, and accessories |
About the Event
ExpoRivaSchuh is positioned by its organizer as the most important international trade show dedicated to the volume footwear industry, with adjacent relevance to bags and accessories through the Gardabags platform. The official website emphasizes a broad international exhibitor base, visitors from more than 100 countries, and a sourcing-focused environment designed for wholesale commerce, trend review, and business networking.
For suppliers, distributors, retailers, importers, and category buyers, the event is useful for lead generation because it brings together decision-makers active in product procurement, private label development, market expansion, and seasonal assortment planning. It is also relevant for innovation providers and service companies serving footwear brands, especially where digital commerce, retail operations, product development, and international trade are part of the buying cycle.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail buyers / category teams | Footwear retailers, department stores, omnichannel chains, specialty fashion retailers | Assortment selection, vendor qualification, seasonal purchasing | Very high; direct purchasing and collection planning |
| Importers and distributors | Footwear importers, regional distributors, trading companies | Source products for resale channels and local market expansion | Very high; often primary buyers at volume footwear fairs |
| Wholesale buyers | Wholesalers, jobbers, multi-brand distributors | Bulk purchasing, margin negotiation, brand portfolio expansion | Very high; strong fit for volume product suppliers |
| Private label / sourcing teams | Retail brands, sourcing offices, product development teams | Supplier selection, quality, pricing, production lead times | Very high; ideal for manufacturers and OEM/ODM suppliers |
| Brand owners / product managers | Footwear brands, lifestyle brands, accessory brands | Line planning, innovation decisions, product assortment approval | High; relevant for design, materials, and manufacturing solutions |
| E-commerce and marketplace teams | Online retailers, marketplaces, DTC brands | Digital assortment, product content, pricing, fulfillment planning | High; relevant for brands seeking digital channel growth |
| Industry consultants and agents | Sourcing agents, market advisors, commercial agents | Influence supplier shortlists and market introductions | Medium to high; channel multipliers and relationship builders |
| Trade associations and media | Footwear associations, fashion media, industry analysts | Influence visibility, market intelligence, partnership promotion | Medium; useful for brand exposure and thought leadership |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: Riva del Garda | Local operators, venue-linked participants, regional service providers | Low to medium | Local attendance supports logistics and event operations |
| Host region: Northern Italy | Italian buyers, manufacturers, distributors, fashion and retail companies | High | Strong regional sourcing and trade concentration |
| Nearby business hubs | Milan, Verona, Bologna, Treviso, Padua, Venice corridor buyers | High | Fashion, retail, and wholesale decision-makers commonly travel into this corridor |
| National reach | Italian retailers, importers, distributors, agents, brands | High | Italy is a key European footwear and fashion trade market |
| International reach | Europe, Middle East, Asia, Americas, Africa; official website states visitors from over 100 countries | Very high | International sourcing and export-market development opportunity |
| Trade corridor relevance | EU importers, Mediterranean distributors, cross-border logistics and trade intermediaries | Medium to high | Supports export, import, and wholesale relationship building |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Global | Primary classification | Official website states over 100 represented countries and visitors from over 100 different countries, indicating a globally distributed B2B audience. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deichmann | Retailer | Large footwear retailer with strong assortment and sourcing needs | deichmann.com | Buying Manager, Category Manager, Sourcing Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Foot Locker | Retailer | Global footwear chain with category and vendor management requirements | footlocker.com | Merchandising Director, Buyer, Vendor Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| JD Sports | Retailer | Major sportswear and footwear buyer with international sourcing operations | jdsports.com | Senior Buyer, Merchandising Manager, Sourcing Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Bata | Footwear brand / retailer | Large global footwear company with sourcing and distribution requirements | bata.com | Procurement Manager, Product Manager, Supply Chain Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| ALDO Group | Retailer / brand | Fashion footwear brand with global sourcing interest | aldogroup.com | Buyer, Sourcing Manager, Product Development Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Skechers | Brand / retailer | Large volume footwear brand aligned with the show’s core category | skechers.com | Sourcing Director, Category Manager, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Zalando | E-commerce retailer | Online marketplace and fashion retailer with demand for branded and private label footwear | zalando.com | Buying Lead, Merchandising Director, E-commerce Category Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Intersport | Retail cooperative | Multi-country sports retail network with footwear procurement needs | intersport.com | Category Buyer, Purchasing Manager, Merchandising Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Kering | Luxury group | Luxury fashion group with footwear and accessories sourcing relevance | kering.com | Procurement Director, Supply Chain Director, Product Development Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Inditex | Retail group | Large apparel and fashion buyer with footwear sourcing potential | inditex.com | Buyer, Sourcing Manager, Product Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Camper | Footwear brand | European footwear brand highly aligned with product and sourcing discussions | camper.com | Commercial Director, Product Manager, Sourcing Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Walmart | Retailer | Large-scale retail buyer for private label and value footwear sourcing | walmart.com | Category Manager, Procurement Manager, Merchandising Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Decathlon | Retailer / brand | Sports retail and private label sourcing organization with footwear demand | decathlon.com | Sourcing Director, Product Buyer, Category Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Procurement Officer | Procurement | C-level | Owns sourcing strategy and supplier selection for large retail or brand groups |
| 2 | VP Procurement | Procurement | VP | Sets sourcing policy, vendor standards, and commercial terms |
| 3 | Director of Procurement | Procurement | Director | Key decision-maker for sourcing programs and supplier onboarding |
| 4 | Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement / Supply Chain | Manager | Evaluates vendors, pricing, quality, and lead times |
| 5 | Category Manager | Merchandising / Buying | Manager | Directly responsible for category assortment and supplier relationships |
| 6 | Merchandising Director | Merchandising | Director | Controls line planning and retail assortment strategy |
| 7 | Buyer / Senior Buyer | Buying | Manager to Senior Manager | Core purchase decision-maker for footwear and accessories lines |
| 8 | Sourcing Director | Sourcing | Director | Manages supplier pipeline for volume production and imports |
| 9 | Product Development Manager | Product / Design | Manager | Evaluates fit, materials, pricing, and commercialization |
| 10 | Supply Chain Director | Supply Chain / Operations | Director | Influences logistics, lead times, sourcing geography, and inventory flow |
| 11 | E-commerce Category Manager | Digital Commerce | Manager | Manages digital assortment and online sales performance |
| 12 | Commercial Director | Commercial / Sales | Director | Drives buying, channel strategy, and partner growth |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail | Primary buying audience for footwear and accessories | Retailers, category managers, buying teams |
| 2 | Apparel & Fashion | Direct fit for footwear, fashion accessories, and branded product sourcing | Brands, fashion buyers, merchandising teams |
| 3 | Wholesale | Strong for bulk purchasing and distribution channels | Distributors, wholesalers, trading companies |
| 4 | Import & Export | International sourcing and global trade are central to the event | Importers, export managers, trading firms |
| 5 | Consumer Goods | Footwear and accessories are consumer goods with large-scale merchandising needs | Multi-category buyers and sourcing teams |
| 6 | Consumer Services | Relevant where retail service platforms and consumer channels are involved | Marketplace operators and consumer channel teams |
| 7 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Key for sourcing, shipping, fulfillment, and inventory flow | Supply chain directors, operations leaders |
| 8 | Management Consulting | Consultants advise on sourcing, retail strategy, and international growth | Retail and sourcing advisors |
| 9 | Information Technology & Services | Relevant for retail tech, e-commerce, and digital merchandising tools | Digital commerce and retail technology buyers |
| 10 | Design | Product design and trend development are important at footwear fairs | Design directors and product development teams |
| 11 | Market Research | Useful for trend intelligence and consumer insight | Insights teams, innovation teams |
| 12 | Events Services | Relevant for organizers, stand contractors, and event suppliers | Exhibition services and event tech vendors |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | 8,000 | Confirmed organizer-published figure | Official website content | Used as a scale indicator; not independently audited in the provided text |
| Exhibitor count | 1,000 companies and brands | Confirmed organizer-published figure | Official website content | Represents event scale and exhibitor ecosystem |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed by the organizer | Unavailable | Official website text provided | Buyer Programme exists, but buyer count not stated |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed by the organizer | Unavailable | Official website text provided | Scientific Committee is listed, but no total speaker count was confirmed |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed by the organizer | Unavailable | Official website text provided | Partners are referenced, but no sponsor count is stated |
| Historical attendance | 8,000 attendees | Historical / organizer-published | Official website content | Use as benchmark when current-year registration totals are unavailable |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procurement | Reliable suppliers, competitive pricing, vendor compliance | Supplier meetings, buyer programme engagement, line reviews | Footwear manufacturing, private label, sourcing services |
| Product innovation | New materials, design trends, differentiation | Trend showcases, innovation village, prototypes | Materials, design studios, R&D partners |
| Retail sourcing | Seasonal assortment and private label options | One-to-one meetings and curated buyer appointments | Factories, OEM/ODM suppliers, agents |
| Wholesale / distribution | Volume pricing and market coverage | Distributor meetings and territory discussions | Bulk supply programs, logistics support |
| Digital transformation | Better appointments, catalog access, and sales workflow | App-based networking and catalog discovery | Event tech, CRM, digital merchandising tools |
| Sustainability | Responsible sourcing and materials transparency | ESG-focused product discussions and supplier vetting | Sustainable materials, compliance, traceability tools |
| International trade | Cross-border sourcing and export market access | Market-entry meetings and distributor matchmaking | Trade services, logistics, customs support |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event is explicitly sourcing- and trade-focused for footwear, bags, and accessories. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Buyer Programme and trade-show format suggest meaningful access to commercial decision-makers. |
| Data collection potential | High | Strong potential for lead capture through exhibitor lists, buyer programme, and event app usage. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Clear fit with retail, wholesale, apparel, import/export, and supply chain filters. |
| Geographic targeting potential | Very High | Excellent for Europe-first, Italy-first, and international footwear trade segmentation. |
| Best outreach approach | Consultative | Lead with sourcing, assortment, and trade efficiency value propositions rather than generic event promotion. |
| Overall lead quality | Very High | Strong fit for B2B attendee list building and buyer-targeted outreach. |
| Best use case | Prospecting and appointment setting | Ideal for lead generation, buyer discovery, and distributor/retailer outreach. |
| Limitations / risks | Medium | Current-year attendee list is not publicly confirmed in the provided text; some company examples are prospecting targets rather than confirmed participants. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Retail; Apparel & Fashion; Wholesale; Import & Export; Consumer Goods; Logistics & Supply Chain; Design; Management Consulting; Information Technology & Services | Focus on buying organizations and enabling service providers |
| Departments | Procurement, Purchasing, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Operations, Product, E-commerce | Reach commercial decision-makers and category owners |
| Seniority | Manager, Director, VP, C-level | Prioritize buyers with budget and vendor influence |
| Job titles | Buyer, Senior Buyer, Category Manager, Merchandising Director, Sourcing Manager, Procurement Manager, Supply Chain Director, Product Manager, Commercial Director, E-commerce Category Manager | Capture footwear, retail, and wholesale purchasing roles |
| Geography | Italy; Southern Europe; Western Europe; EMEA; Global import hubs | Match the international audience profile of the event |
| Employee size | 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001+ | Cover mid-market buyers through enterprise retail groups |
| Keywords | footwear, shoes, sourcing, merchandising, wholesale, private label, assortment, category management, retail buying, import, distributor | Increase precision for event-specific prospecting |
| Company type | Retailers, brands, wholesalers, importers, distributors, marketplace operators | Align with actual buyer-side attendees |
| Technologies, if relevant | eCommerce platforms, ERP, merchandising systems, retail analytics, CRM, PLM | Useful for software and service vendors targeting retail operations |
| Revenue range, if relevant | $10M–$50M, $50M–$250M, $250M+ | Prioritize organizations with meaningful buying power |
| Funding / public company filters | Public company, privately held, venture-backed where relevant | Optional for segmentation by ownership profile |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (buyer OR buying OR sourcing OR procurement OR merchandising OR category manager OR “senior buyer” OR “supply chain director”) AND (footwear OR shoes OR retail OR wholesale OR apparel OR import export OR distributor) AND location filters for Italy, Europe, and global trade hubs.
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Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expo Riva Schuh official website | Official organizer website | Event name, event positioning, official date range, venue, organizer, scale indicators, Buyer Programme, global reach, event purpose | Very High |
| Buyer Programme page | Official event page | Buyer-focused event structure and procurement relevance | High |
| General Information page | Official event page | Venue address, logistics, visitor services | High |
| Riva del Garda Fierecongressi SpA / venue-organizer context | Organizer / venue-related official source | Organizer identity and venue linkage | High |
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