Children’s wear show Pitti Bimbo was held in Italy, January 17 to 19, 2019. It was visited by over 6,400 buyers, out of nearly 10,000 visitors altogether. Buyer numbers from Spain, the largest contingent, were up, as did those from Greece, Belgium, Poland and Saudi Arabia.

Pitti Bimbo showcased 553 exhibitors, of which 60 per cent came from outside Italy, with 152 between come-backs and new exhibitors. The results for the show's three days exceeded expectations. The collections exhibited creativity. The designs were modern and compatible with the latest ecological and social feelings. The exhibitors were segmented by product and company type. The show’s international leadership was confirmed within the children’s fashion and contemporary lifestyle industry.

However, the mood was somber, with a series of negative forecasts for growth, consumption expenditure and international trade. The number of buyers from strategic children’s wear markets like France, the UK and Turkey was stable, surprisingly on par with the remarkable numbers posted at the show’s last winter edition.

There were fewer Russian and Ukrainian visitors, though on the whole more than expected, given the worsening economic situation and geopolitical scenario in those countries. The number of Italian buyers was down. The number of German buyers too fell.