GDS intends to launch its Asian edition in 2013. The German shoe trade fair announced yesterday during a conference in Madrid that the GDS Asia project was on track. GDS was upstaged by its Italian rival Micam, which announced Chinese, Russian and American editions at its event in Milan.

Apparently the organizers have opted for Shanghai. Organizer Messe Düsseldorf is collaborating on this project with CCAGM, the China Commerce Association of General Merchandise, whose members include many department stores. Messe Düsseldorf is a familiar player in the fashion industry and at an international level. Through its subsidiary Igedo, the company has already launched the CPM in Moscow, the Russian version of the CPD, and is also responsible for the CPI fair in Istanbul. GDS follows suit with numerous European trade shows that have created Chinese editions, such as Première Vision and Intertextile, Milano Unica, Outdoor and Ispo, to name just a few.

GDS will take place in Düsseldorf from September 5th to 7th.

Maite Ruiz-Atela and Bruno Joly