Spain holds strong presence at Expo Riva Schuh 2026 with 60 footwear brands
The 105th edition of Expo Riva Schuh and the 16th edition of Garda Bags concluded in Riva del Garda, Italy, after bringing together footwear and handbag manufacturers, buyers and industry professionals from around the world. Held from June 13 to 16, the twin exhibitions once again served as a key meeting point for the global fashion accessories industry.
Spain participated through a trade mission organised by the Federation of Spanish Footwear Industries (FICE) with support from ICEX Spain Export and Investments. The Spanish pavilion featured 40 exhibiting companies representing 60 commercial brands. Of these, 58 brands showcased their collections at Expo Riva Schuh, while two brands exhibited at Garda Bags.
Although Spanish participation remained stable compared with the January 2026 edition, the figures reflected a noticeable decline from a year earlier. In June 2025, the exhibitions welcomed 48 Spanish exhibitors and 75 brands. This year’s edition represented a 16.68 percent decrease in exhibitors and a 20 percent drop in participating brands.
Despite the lower numbers, FICE President Vicente Pastor said the stable presence compared with the previous edition demonstrated the confidence of Spanish companies in international markets and their continued commitment to internationalisation. He noted that the exhibition provided an important platform to present spring/summer 2027 collections and assess global market demand.
The reduced Spanish presence came at a challenging time for the country’s footwear industry. According to Spain’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business, footwear exports fell by 1.6 percent during the first quarter of 2026, reaching €976 million between January and March.
FICE presented a slightly different picture. The federation reported that Spanish footwear exports totalled €933.4 million during the first quarter, representing a marginal decline of 0.1 percent in value. At the same time, export volumes increased by 3 percent to 46 million pairs. The figures indicate that Spanish manufacturers exported more footwear but at lower average prices than in the previous year.
Expo Riva Schuh remained one of the industry’s most important trade fairs, offering brands their first major opportunity to present spring/summer 2027 collections and one of the final chances to secure orders for the autumn/winter 2026-27 season.
This year’s edition hosted more than 1,000 brands and exhibitors from 44 countries. International participants from outside the European Union accounted for 62.60 percent of total exhibitors, while EU member states represented 37.40 percent.
China led the exhibitor list with 34.50 percent of participants, followed by Italy and Turkey with 10.60 percent each and India with 9.40 percent. Spain, Brazil, Germany and Portugal also maintained notable presences. Visitor attendance was expected to remain close to previous editions, which attracted nearly 8,000 professionals in both January and June 2025.
The Valencian Community once again led the Spanish delegation, contributing 28 exhibitors and accounting for 70 percent of Spain’s presence at the event. The Region of Murcia followed with eight exhibitors, representing 20 percent of the delegation, while La Rioja completed the pavilion with four exhibitors, making up the remaining 10 percent.
Spanish exhibitors from the Valencian Community included Alberola Vulcanizados, Amarpies, Berevere, Best Partner, Bio Time, Big Lefa and Greenfield, Canadian John, Chili Footwear, Ferchi and Caramelo, Garvalin and Biomecanics, Haikon Hada and Avispas, Lola Canales, Lozoya and Zoma, Marila, Marpens Slippers and Ibizas Heritage, Menorquina d’Estiu and La Vida es Bella, Mocasines Calpe, Mundorama Confort, Paredes, Pedro Iniesta and Biostep, Pinoso Sportshoes, Plakton, Regrown, Rockaway, Ropaca and Neles, Rualser Calzados, Slowwalk, Spike, SPK and Bertuchi, and Valeria’s.
The Region of Murcia was represented by Bonadona Calzados, Dinamic Calzados and Koyuk, Grupo Lollan’s Torremata and Saez, Jutelia, Refresh and Carmela, Relax Footwear, Rocai and XTI. Exhibitors from La Rioja included Cienta, Fabiolas, Natural World, and Norteñas, Elba and Malaval.
As Expo Riva Schuh 2026 came to a close, the event provided Spanish footwear companies with an opportunity to strengthen international connections and evaluate market conditions at a time when the sector continues to face pricing pressures and slower export growth.
