EFICA: Attractive offering, insufficient sales
With participation from more than 126 exhibitors representing 210 footwear and leather goods brands, the 112th edition of EFICA and the 90th of CEMCA, took place from 22 to 24 June at Costa Salguero in Buenos Aires. Halls 1, 2, and 3 were used, totaling 7,950 m² of exhibition space.
The Spring-Summer 25/26 footwear segment showcased women’s, men’s, and children’s lines across formal, dress, casual, and sports styles. A dedicated high-end section featured differentiated designs and luxury products.
CEMCA, with 25 stands, presented handbags, bags, belts, backpacks, and a variety of accessories and manufactured goods.
The event recorded over 3,000 visitors, mainly local, with solid attendance from international buyers, particularly from neighboring countries.
The country’s current political and economic situation, which facilitates imports, led to a greater presence of imported products, mainly from Brazil and Asian countries. This feature was evident in both EFICA (footwear) and CEMCA (leather goods), more prominently in footwear, where many products were assembled using imported materials and components. This situation, subject to various debates among supporters of local industry, was agreed upon with the fair's organizing chamber (CIC), which required exhibitors to display a percentage of locally produced footwear.
Two aspects stood out positively. The overall layout of the fair demonstrated a high level of stand design: attractive, modern, and functional, with a layout that allowed comfortable circulation. Particular attention to aesthetics significantly enhanced the presentation of products.
As for the collections, a great effort was noted in new model developments, which appeared very up-to-date, in line with the latest international trends.
Some participants presented highly fashionable products, capable of being showcased at events abroad.
Most exhibitors, when evaluating results, agreed on the limited sales recorded, a reflection of depressed consumer demand. Without significant changes in economic policy to restore purchasing power, prospects remain challenging and hinder planning.
In this prolonged waiting period, the footwear sector -including manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers-, holds hope for improved conditions that will allow a new market outlook and support the recovery and normalization of activity.
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