[size=14][red]Mipel[/red][/size] invests in the virtual. During the Annual Meeting of Aimpes - the Italian association of the leather goods manufacturers - held in Bologna on Saturday, 30th of April 2016, Mipel presented [size=14][red]Mipel Virtual Hub[/red][/size], the first 3D virtual fair for the leather industry that will be inaugurated in September 2016. The platform, created for business events by Hyperfair, startup based in San Francisco in Silicon Valley, will make exhibitors more visible to promote the brand and the products and contact accredited buyers. An innovative project that is part of a renewal program in term of image and quality promoted by Braccialini (AIMPES President) and Briccola (Mipel President), and already evident from the first edition of their mandate.

The association has operated with twofold aim of becoming once again the focus of the fashion system and of repositioning Mipel in accessory trade fairs.

The Italian leather goods sector continues to maintain a leading position in the world.
According to the economic date of 2015, Mipel had positive indicators with a foreign turnover of 6,4 billion euro and a positive balance of trade with 3.9 billion euro (growth is up to 6% and 3% in terms of value and volumes, respectively).

Despite the appeal exerted by Made in Italy products remains strong, the results in the domestic market are not comforting. Spending, which is estimated approximately 1,6 billion euro, declined 2.5%, with a slight increase in average prices, especially with the purchases of import products.

The most representative contribution to the Italian products has been given by USA with turnover up by 13% and amounting to 634 million euro. Good performance in Italian exports was also recorded in Germany (+11%), Spain (+15%), The Netherlands (+13%) and Great Britain (+6%). Outside Europe, the Chinese market grew of +18%, as well as Japan (+7%) and Hong Kong (+7,3), while the sales are dropped dramatically in Russia (an export downfall of 20,5%). The decrease in turnover was even stronger in Ukraine (-30%). Significant progress was made in the countries which recently joined the sector, like Canada (+35%), Australia (+28%), Denmark (+21%) and among the Asian market, Arabia Saudita (+16%) and Arab Emirates (+8%).

This scenario confirms the international expansion of the sector, recognizing its main role in the economy of the country.

[size=14]Mipel[/size]
3-6 September 2016
Fiera Milano
Strada Statale del Sempione 28
20017 Rho