Pitti Uomo 89 finishes with better-than-expected results

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Jan 18, 2016

"Once again we have seen a record edition. With a total of 1,219 exhibitors, we have never had so many brands, and this despite a precarious environment with a few rays of light and lots of storms," said the CEO of Pitti Uomo, Raffaello Napoleone, who is more than satisfied with this edition 89, which ended in Florence on Friday.

To re-use the same metaphor, this winter session experienced actual weather that was opposite to the current political and economic environment, with every day except one, Thursday, beautiful and sunny.

The menswear trade show presenting the FW16/17 collections, which sets the tone at the beginning of the season, has thus revealed to be a positive sign for all of the players in the market, with a 4% increase in buyers, which totalled 25,000, compared to 24,000 last year. Pitti attracted more than 36,000 visitors all together!

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The feeling of density was felt in the aisles of the show, especially the first two days, when visitors were often bumped around, and in the spaces dedicated to the exhibitors, who were crowded together in spaces that were more restrained than usual. A situation that proved a displeasure to some…

According to the closing numbers published by the organisers, based on their latest estimates, the trade show, which took place in Florence between 12 and 15 January, recorded a 5% increase in Italian buyers, with an attendance of 16,000, and 2.5% of foreign buyers, who were 8,850 in total.

"Europe remains the real major market," summed up Raffaello Napoleone. Altogether, European buyers did indeed make up for the largest increases with double-digit growth. Spain was in the lead (+20%), followed by Belgium (+16%), Germany and the Netherlands (+14%), Switzerland (+12%) and Great Britain (+9%).

France, which is one of the leading markets for Italian menswear, saw its delegation of buyers decrease, while the number of stores represented increased, by 4%. Interesting to note was the significant number of American buyers (+5%). The Japanese were also out in force.

"Among the 15 leaders in terms of presence were the strategic markets, such as China, Hong Kong, Russia and Turkey, even if there was a slight drop due to various mitigating factors," pointed out the trade show's organisers.

"We achieved the objectives we had set for ourselves. It is a positive sign not just for the season but for the entire year. We can feel a new energy," concluded Raffaello Napoleone.