Despite the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, Italian exports to the Korean market recorded a positive performance (+0.5% in value compared to 2019) also in 2020 gaining the third place in the ranking of the main export countries for Italian leather goods (in 2019 it was fourth).
In this framework, it is necessary to insist on supporting the system: this is how, therefore, Mipel went to Seoul for the ninth edition of “MIPEL Leather Goods Showroom in Seoul”, the leading event abroad organized by Assopellettieri, a trade association belonging to Confindustria Moda, which for the second time was held in “Silent” mode: the FW 2021/22 collections of a selection of Italian leather goods companies were exhibited from April 13 to 16 at the HIGH STREET BUILDING in Seoul, thanks also to support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ITA- Italian Trade Agency.
The entrepreneurs, although not physically present due to the global health emergency, had the opportunity to be put in contact virtually with the buyers thanks to the support of a team of “vendors”, trained and made available on site by the organization, which also illustrated the collections of the participating companies, physically set up in the HIGH STREET headquarters, to over 220 Korean buyers who visited the showroom.
In the days leading up to the event, MIPEL also launched a series of activities to “approach” the event: were held some webinars, involving Korean buyers to present them with the reality of Italian leather goods designed to meet the needs of the Korean market, what our companies can offer and what drives them to focus on this market. In addition, MIPEL also organized a series of talks about the most interesting topics of Italian leather goods sector on the new social network CLUB HOUSE called “ITALIAN LEATHER GOODS TALKS” to which Italian companies were invited to participate together with Korean buyers and prominent figures from the world of fashion and luxury as well as the live presentation to the final consumer, through YouTube, of some iconic products of the exhibiting companies by a well-known Korean influencer.
“In this context of global uncertainty and difficulties in organising events, we are very satisfied with the performance of the event and the service provided to participating companies” commented MIPEL Director Danny D’Alessandro. “We know that there was no shortage of orders from Korean buyers and we hope that others will soon materialise following the contacts made during the event. The appointment with the MIPEL Leather Goods Showroom in Seoul has now become a precious moment for leather goods companies that are attentive to the needs of the Korean market, which always shows a strong interest in Italian products and which we would like to remind has recorded an increase in value in 2020 in terms of exports of 0.5% compared to 2019: a figure that certainly bucks the trend in a year ravaged by negative signs and which further confirms the need to continue to develop initiatives of value for our companies in this market”.
