The changing lifestyle of Japanese consumers has pushed up demand for
imported leather footwear, said Trade Development Council's Manager
of Japan and Korea market, Mr Ralph Chow.
Despite the weakening yen and slowing down of the Japanese economy, Mr
Chow said more and more quality imported leather shoes are entering the
country's footwear market.
"Japanese consumers are turning towards a more casual and less
dressy way of life. Imported footwear, which are usually associated with
the ever-popular westernised, casual lifestyle, are playing an
increasingly important part in the market."
Capitalising on this growing market, the TDC will again stage the Hong
Kong Leather Goods & Footwear Exhibition in Japan to assist Hong Kong
suppliers expand their market shares.
As a collective showcase of Hong Kong's quality shoes and handbags,
the event will be held in Osaka and Tokyo from 18 to 19 and 21 to 22 May
respectively.
Commenting on Japan's footwear market, Mr Chow said: "Imports
of leather sneakers see a 17% growth in 1996. Casual footwear, including
sandals and fashionable pumps, are also popular. In general all kinds of
ladies' leather shoes are selling briskly."
In 1996 imported shoes accounted for 65% of Japan's footwear
market. A total of 376.2 million pairs of shoes were imported, among which
10.8 million pairs were leather items, and total imports amounted to 332.7
billion yen.
As the tariff rates on leather footwear will be lowered further, Mr Chow
said, more business opportunities for Hong Kong companies are expected.
From 1995 to 2002, the tariff rates for leather footwear imports to
Japan will drop to 21.6% for the primary rate and 30% for the secondary
tariff, as compared with 25% and 48.8% respectively in 1997.
Apart from footwear, imported bags and travel goods are also
well-received in Japan. Between 1992 and 1996, total import volume of all
kinds of bags and luggage has increased by 1.6-fold, reaching 14,960 tons
in 1996, at 133 billion yen.
Since 1993, the TDC-organised Hong Kong Leather Goods & Footwear
Exhibition has been receiving more and more attention from Japanese
buyers. Last year 34 Hong Kong footwear and travel goods companies took
part in the event and received business orders exceeding HK$193 million, a
70% increase against the 1996 event.
Japan is Hong Kong's second largest footwear and travel goods
market. For the first 11 months of 1997, Hong Kong exported HK$5.9 billion
of footwear and HK$3.9 billion of travel goods and handbags to the market.
Leather goods and shoes companies interested in the Hong Kong Leather
Goods & Footwear Exhibition can get more details from the TDC Trade
Promotion department's Ms Iris Wong at 2584 4557.
For press enquiries, please contact Justina Shum of the TDC's
Media & Corporate Communications at 9852)2584 4333.
