The value of Nigeria as a country with humongous potentialities for business and commercial relationship played itself out recently at the New York Shoe Expo, held at Warwick New York Hotel, New York City, US, from February 4 to 8, 2019.
New York Shoe Expo is organised by Fashion Footwear Association of New York, FFANY, which celebrated its 40th anniversary of consistency in providing a vibrant platform for marketing and promoting good footwears, where both brands and retailers have one–on–one interaction and business deals and dealings.
As the only travel writer from Nigeria who was accredited to cover the show, it afforded me the opportunity of mingling with brand owners, designers, marketers, brand ambassadors and other stakeholders who matter in the footwear industry in the USA.
The first thing I noticed, which was a surprise to me, was the venue of the Expo – Warwick New York Hotel. A five- Star hospitality dispenser which occupied a cynosure part of the New York Downtown.
Like most of the fairs, exhibitions and shows one is used to, I was expecting the exhibitors to either have their stands either in the events halls or exhibition centres or Ball Hall, rather, the exhibitors arranged their wares on the bed inside the rooms from the 2nd Floor to the 15th Floor.
Bed meant for human beings to lay their heads were turned to pavilions for shoes to breath and showcase themselves for buyers
The expo was not a place where any visitor can come over to buy a pair or two, except for retailers or wholesalers who are expected to make their orders and await delivery.
Most of the brand owners or designers were present, adding a value of authentication to their handiwork.
Sincerely, my observation at the fair was the fact that, most of these brands and exhibitors were enthusiastic to showcase and spread on the beds women and ladies wear!
The three–day New York Shoe Expo was patronised by retailers and wholesalers from all over the world as it parades over 100 brands, among which were, French Sole, Nina, Impo International, Seven 7 Footwear, Cougar, Hispanitals, Moda – Mondo, Nikkita, Chooka, Capelli Rossi, Nu-Era Footwear, Aerosoles, Attitudes Footwear Incorporation, Buffalo, Evox, Evolution Design, Stallion, Ramon Tenza, Paul Green, Stallion, Washington Shoes Company, Teplov Ballet, Cliffs, Samke Style, South – African Footwear and Leather Export, Angelsoft, Klub Nico, White mountain and others notable brands in Europe.
Paul Mayers, brand owner of Attitudes Footwear Incorporation, who was elated having an engagement with a reporter from Nigeria said: “I am elated to know that my brand is a household fancy in Nigeria. I love Nigeria and Nigerians. But I am not having any direct order from Nigeria. We don’t have any retailer or wholesaler from Nigeria. Those brands being sold in Nigeria must have been gotten from America by Nigerians here. “
On the possibility of his company investing in Nigeria. Mayer said: “I am interested in engaging any interested retailer in Nigeria. Our shoes are made in accordance with universal quality with respect to weather and tropical elements.”
Angelo Guaranga, Director–General, MONDA MONDO said: “We are at the service of Nigerians who are into selling good shoes. We are ready to do business with them and also ready to ensure that their aspiration in the footwear business is met.”
Gina Litvack, Manager at IMPO revealed: ‘Not that we did not notice that our brands are already in Nigeria but we don’t have specific footwear businessmen or women as retailers in Nigeria as we have in other countries. Nigeria is a big country with a huge population.”
New York Shoe Expo, apart from being a vibrant market for retailers, wholesalers and other footwear merchants, has a wide range of business opportunities for Nigerians, particularly shoe designers and brands who desire to learn, network, discover and market their brands on the global level.
And the glowing part of the news is that some of these brands and designers obliged one their contacts for whoever is interested in Nigeria.
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