Italian shoe brand banks on China for global market position

China International Import Expo is seen as a big opportunity by Italian shoemaker Crispi, as it looks to expand its reach into the Chinese market and consolidate its international position.

The CIIE is such a big platform that Crispi can use it to establish more communication with all parties and explore more potential and opportunities in the future, said Luca Sarnataro, Crispi's global sales director via an online interview during the fourth CIIE in Shanghai on Friday.

Liu Lili, who is in charge of the company's exhibition booth at the event said on Saturday that she is impressed by the expo's high standards, professional organization and big name exhibitors.

This is the first time the Italian brand has taken part in the event.

Sarnataro feels that the expo can serve as a platform for promoting healthy outdoor lifestyles to new groups of people, while also helping the company to gain a better understanding of the development of local brands.

He noted that Crispi has been in China for 16 years and the brand has built up deep relationships with local businesses and consumers. But Sarnataro feels the company will be able to integrate further into the Chinese market by participating in the CIIE.

"To participate in this CIIE, we want to focus more on the future, the future of the Chinese market, to become a partner of the Chinese market, and continue to achieve success in the Chinese market."

We're happy to see that the Chinese market is set to expand, and we also know that over the next few years, the focus of market development and expansion will be fueled by the strategy of building a strong country in sports. I believe this presents us with a great opportunity, he said.