By
EFE
Translated by
Barbara Santamaria
Published
Jul 6, 2016
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Spanish espadrilles and avarcas to take on the Japanese market

By
EFE
Translated by
Barbara Santamaria
Published
Jul 6, 2016

Spanish leather sandals and espadrilles are set to take on the Japanese market, a niche business valued at €40 mn where Spanish footwear manufacturing companies have so far found no competition.


MMartynica shoes - Facebook: Mmartinyca


“They are recognized as a Spanish product,” explains Kyoday Studio’s representative, Michel Pino at the opening of the XXVI Shoes from Spain Exhibition.

The event, running until 8 July in Tokyo, presents 44 Spanish footwear brands and their Spring/Summer 2017 collections.

Shoe exports to Japan generated in 2015 over 42.1 million euros, according to the Spanish Federation of Footwear Industries. In the period, the country shipped nearly 2.1 million pairs of shoes to the Asian market.

Although Japan is the largest consumer of Spanish footwear in Asia, the market is largely dominated by Italian products. Only the espadrilles and avarcas segment remains untapped.

MMartynica, a company dedicated to the manufacturing and sale of Menorcan avarcas –a shoe traditionally worn by local residents of the Balearic Island – is also present at the Shoes from Spain Exhibition, where it hopes to increase its market share in Japan.

Although Spanish footwear exports to Japan fell by 5.5% in the first quarter of 2016, the nation continues to attract international brands thanks to the high average income and levels of consumption.

“For the last three or four years we have seen a slight slowdown, but Japan is still a strong market,” says Francisco Silva, representative of Pons Quintana in Japan. He advises Spanish brands to find their business niche.

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