Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags opened the doors to its January edition over the weekend – one of the leading international platforms for footwear and bags, continuing to offer practical tools to support the work of manufacturers and buyers worldwide.
At the opening presentation, Roberto Pellegrini, Chairman of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, said the real added value of the show lies in its nature as “a neutral and independent trade fair”…
“Our future is already mapped out: the event will no longer be just a footwear and bags fair, but will evolve into a global hub for mass-market fashion,” he said. “A transformation that will be driven by merchandise diversification, offering buyers and manufacturers practical answers to what the industry truly needs.”
With 1,057 brands and exhibitors from 40 countries bringing Expo Riva Schuh’s halls to life – the opening of the Autumn/Winter 2026–27 edition of Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags paints a picture of a truly international exhibition ecosystem, strongly representative of the global footwear and leather goods supply chains.
Of all the brands and exhibitors on display this week, 40 per cent of them are European and 60 per cent are from outside Europe. China remains the leading exhibiting country, followed by Italy, India and Turkey – a clear sign of the balance between major production hubs and the historic districts of Made in Europe.
Alongside footwear of course, Gardabags further strengthens its position as the dedicated event for bags, leather goods, luggage and travel accessories. Over 80 companies are evenly distributed across the Brands, Sourcing and Sourcing4Bridge areas, with a curated selection covering different business models and market segments. Among the exhibitors are well-established, internationally recognised brands, offering buyers a broad and immediately readable overview of the market.
The opening of the January 2026 edition once again confirms Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags as the industry’s true “major tournament”: not merely a showcase, but a shared working platform where the market can be interpreted, ongoing transformations discussed and valuable relationships built to face the future. In a global circuit that is changing both its champions and its rules, the Riva del Garda fair continues to stand out as one of the key constants to build upon.
