The Revival Of Leather Shoes Export Industry In Portugal Under European Financial Haze

Under the influence of the global financial crisis, Europe has been hit hard.

Six years later, Italy's economy is still sluggish, even if Europe's largest economy, Germany, can not get rid of the gloom of the recession.

However, Portugal is good at it.

The revival of the export industry has slowed the economy a bit.

The economy of Portuguese, Oporto and Alcatel has recovered, and the export of leather shoes and accessories has increased significantly.

According to Portuguese leather and footwear association data, from 2006 to 2013, Portuguese leather shoes exports increased by 213%, from 36 million 510 thousand pairs to 114 million 387 thousand pairs.

According to the international trade center, Portugal's leather shoes and accessories industry account for 3.8% of the global leather industry output (about 1/4 of Italy's 16.5%).

Said Jos e Neves, founder of fashion electronics, said: "Portugal

There are three main reasons for rapid development: first, Portuguese has similar manufacturing processes to Italy and France, with lower labor costs; two, small businesses are attracting more high-end designers; three, the manufacturing process is simple, inexpensive and fast, and only three days can be imported from Italy, France and the United Kingdom to raw materials such as animal skins, heels, outsole, metal components and so on.

Despite the competitiveness of Portugal, the Portuguese government has banned workers under 25 from engaging in leather shoes, but Portugal's skilled workers are

It is still relatively low in Europe, and the quality of leather shoes is quite good. "

Neves said: "in 1990s, Portugal's leather products were low in price, poor in quality and large in output, mainly for the European market.

After Portugal joined the euro area, labor costs rose significantly.

At the same time, the quality and toughness of leather products in China, Korea, Vietnam, Brazil and North Africa exceeded Portugal's.

As a result, inferior manufacturers are eliminated and high-end factories are rising rapidly.

Caren Downie, the brand director of Finery, said: "now Portuguese enterprises are paying attention to details and improving their quality.

Italy is still the leader of leather products, but Portugal is catching up.

Portuguese leather industry in Portugal means high quality leather, hand dressing products and small batch production.

The delivery time is relatively fast, and the price is also very competitive.

Portugal's emphasis on quality has attracted some industry giants.

Neves said: "Portugal is currently producing some luxury brands and high street brands such as COS and Zara.

In the latter case, when Portugal was produced at a high price, these products quickly became models of Southeast Asia and North Africa, and were widely copied.

Neves said: "because Portugal has lower manpower costs, it still has core competitiveness relative to Italy and France."

Mario Ortelli, senior luxury analyst for global wealth management at Bernstein, said: "compared to France, Italy and Spain, Portugal's main problem is" Portugal made "is still lacking in attractiveness, lack of historical brand and international recognition (such as Spain has Loewe).

I think Portugal can start with "manufacturing" and gradually establish a close cooperation with luxury goods, rather than high-end luxury goods, high-end luxury goods manufacturing is still concentrated in Italy, France and Spain.

In fact, Portugal has the full strength to become the European leather production center.

In the face of rival Italy, "Portuguese manufacturing" needs to establish a strong brand image in the eyes of consumers.