With the quality of the offer, with investments in the product, with the expansion of services. Already the first day of Lineapelle 106 (Sept. 23-25), we told you, returned the image of a leather and fashion materials industry ready with the proposal to shake up the market. That remains, however, waiting for the restart, in many respects linked to factors external to the fashion industry itself. The traffic of a quality audience in the corridors of Fieramilano Rho confirms the feeling: everyone is waiting for signs from the market.
Waiting for a recovery
The phenomenon cuts across segments and uses. “At Lineapelle we continue the work of customer relations”, says Antonio De Michele, chairman of the Board of Dean Tannery, “but they are waiting, between changes in style guidance, at the top of companies, and in light of demand that remains weak. “The focus remains on French and Italian brands”, echoes Alessandro Maffei of tannery Carisma. “Other markets, such as the U.S., which although experiencing a positive moment in some brands, remain niche. We continue to invest, complaining is not useful”. “What do customers ask for? Price, service and seriousness”, replies Fabio Gazzarrini of tannery Gi.Elle.Emme. “Continuity of the product in terms of quality is fundamental, as it proves we are a reliable supplier”.
Proposals and stimuli
“The market is looking for novelty: it wants to impress”, comments Gabriel Friedman, Classic Leather Italy. “Apart from a few brands that can afford to sell the same bags without any problems, the others don’t want the classic anymore: they are looking to cause astonishment. So we do a lot of research and experimentation”. “We are always trying to improve”. adds Umberto Vignola of Tannery Vignola. Stylists come by and are always looking for something new.
It’s fundamental for us that luxury brands hold: if they succeed, we can resist”. “We’ve had a lot of turnout, especially from the United States”, notes Giuseppe De Maio of DMD Solofra, “less from continental Europe, with lively interest from both footwear and leather goods. Early, however, to sing victory. “We will have the feedback in a few months. Given the recent periods, the conversion of the interest into orders is to be verified” he concludes.
