The president of Apex-Brasil, the South American country’s export promotion agency, Alessandro Teixeira, has confirmed that his organisation will make around US $16.5 million available this year for investment in the footwear industry.
He said during the Couromoda exhibition in São Paulo (January 19–21) that the agency would help Brazilian footwear brands promote themselves in all the major markets of the world, including China. With the support of Apex-Brasil, he said the country’s footwear manufacturers would be able to find new partners and new customers in all parts of the world.
He explained that his organisation would work closely with footwear industry organisation Abicalçados to help 471 shoe manufacturing companies in Brazil to improve their export performance. Ideas they are considering include trade missions to important export markets and invitations to bring groups of overseas buyers to Brazil.
Retail sales in 2010 forecast to rise 2.5%: NRFStory Comments Screener (3) Alert Email Print ShareBy Andria Cheng NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Retail industry sales, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, are projected to rise 2.5% in 2010 after a decrease by the same percentage amount last year, according to trade group National Retail Federation on Tuesday. NRF said key economic indicators such as the housing market and employment are beginning to show positive signs, which will lift consumer confidence throughout the year. "While we still expect shoppers to continue to be frugal with their discretionary spending, retailers will soon be able to reap the benefits of leaner, smarter inventories and a year and a half of pent-up consumer demand," said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. Other positive economic contributions will come from strong exports, a turnaround in the inventory cycle, and federal government spending, NRF said. Consumer spending will lag behind overall economic growth, Wells estimated, but will continue to expand at a modest 2% to 2.5% rate.