Italian shoemakers’ export struggle

Footwear manufacturers in Italy have reported a decline in the domestic market, and smaller firms are finding it increasingly difficult to make significant inroads into lucrative export markets, according to Italian footwear association Assocalzaturifici.

Figures released by the association indicate that the volume of Italian shoes exported in 2012 grew year-on-year by 2.5 per cent – less than the variation seen in 2011 (an increase of 3.4 per cent over 2010), and considerably lower than the 2010 figure of +15.2 per cent. One of the main reasons for this trend is said to be the inability of fashion enterprises, most of which are small- and medium-sized, to penetrate foreign markets.

“SMEs (small and medium enterprises) cannot make it on their own – they need help," said Assocalzaturifici President, Cleto Sagripanti, who called on lawmakers and the Italian government to provide greater assistance for footwear exporters.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 4 of the September 2013 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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