REVIEW
The 105th Edition of Expo Riva: collective intelligence to navigate market change
This year’s edition of Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags (13–16 June 2026) closed under the banner of internationalisation, diversity of offer and innovation: from international delegations to new Summer 2027 collections, and the debut of AI runway shows.
W
ith 22 events and operators from across the globe, Riva del Garda once again confirms its role as the hub where volume fashion does business and interprets market trends.
When presenting the new Luce, Ferrari’s first electric model, Chief Designer Flavio Manzoni quoted Gustav Mahler: “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire”. Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags embodied
this principle by focusing on internationalisation, diversity of offer and innovation – the key themes of this 105th edition.
On one side, preserving ‘tradition’: offering the volume fashion sector – particularly footwear and bags – the best international hub to do business and build relationships. On the other, evolving the event to enable participants to understand, interpret and address the challenges shaping different markets.
Business
The fairs proved to be the ideal environment to leverage the advantages of the many trade
agreements Europe is currently finalising along key global routes. Discussions throughout the exhibition halls frequently focused on Mercosur and the new opportunities opening up from May 2026, as well as agreements with India and Australia, which are expected to deliver significant competitive advantages in the coming years.
Giovanna Voltolini, Group Exhibition Manager at Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, summarises one of the key strengths of the event: “Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags are like an interactive map, enabling us to read the increasingly rapid shifts in global trade in real time, reposition partnerships strategically and find new balances within supply chains.” Figures remain in line with June 2025, with approximately 8,000 attendees, 69.7% of whom from abroad. The steady attendance of buyers reflects the strength and diversity of the offering from over 1,000 brands and exhibitors from 44 countries.
Notably, there has been growth in buyers from Poland, India and Latin America. Incoming
flows from Greece and Israel have also improved, while Spain has tripled the number of operators active on online platforms. A total of 235 hosted buyers and journalists from 51 countries attended, 26 of which were represented for the first time in the incoming programme, supported by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA).
The diversity of products on display also stands out: collections varying in quality, design, materials and manufacturing techniques. A richness that preserves tradition, explores the vast world of casualwear, investigates innovations in home, safety, performance and childrenswear, and embraces forward-looking solutions such as 3D printing and advanced manufacturing processes, including injected and high-frequency bonded uppers.
Angela Wu of Max Group, Product Manager for the Italian brand ASH, attended Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags to identify suppliers beyond Chinese production, diversifying collections while maintaining high standards of design, materials and detailing.
She declared: “Today’s challenge is capturing the attention of younger consumers, who are exposed to an overwhelming online offering and define their purchasing behaviour there. Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags are ideal for this: the offer is broad and diverse in both price and quality.”
Innovation
The AI runway shows were an absolute novelty – not only for the fair, but for the entire sector – clearly reflecting the event’s forward-looking approach. Their purpose remains to showcase products, allowing buyers to first see them worn by virtual models and then experience them physically at the stands. For the fair, continuing to offer technological innovation experiences is essential in supporting distribution and the entire value chain in interpreting change and identifying emerging opportunities. Innovation was also central to the Innovation Village Retail and the Start-up Competition, won this year by
Shoefitr.io – a technology that helps online footwear shoppers find the correct size without trying products on, reducing returns and supporting more sustainable commerce.
10 • FOOTWEAR & FASHION TODAY • JUNE 2026
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