Germany’s GDS attracts thousands but numbers still disappoint

By

Rüdiger Oberschür

Published
Feb 16, 2016

Despite the launch of a digital B2B marketplace and an initiative for fashion bloggers that attracted 110 bloggers, Dusseldorf-based tradeshow GDS ended its latest February edition on a modest note. 

15,200 people visited the event, which took place from February 10-12. During these days, the venue was home to 800 exhibitors, down from 900 in the show’s summer edition, while the number of brands presenting at tag it! fell from 233 to 100.

Compared to its previous issue, the winter show also attracted fewer apparel retailers. This was attributed to the event’s dates, which were not directly tied to Dusseldorf’s own order cycle for fashion.

Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, said: “The shoe sector is currently going through a crisis. We are disappointed, nonetheless, that not more visitors found their way to Düsseldorf, all the more as those who came rated our concept higher than in the previous two seasons.”

Meanwhile, Kirstin Deutelmoser, Director of GDS and tag it!, commented: “The vast majority of GDS visitors were very satisfied. Together with the industry we have to keep on working towards tapping into new potential for the trade show.”

The next edition of GDS and tag it! is planned to take place from July 26-28.