How did the past year go for Nero Giardini?
The year was difficult for everyone and also a challenge for us, but thank God everything went well in the end and we cannot complain.
What do you expect for 2025?
I expect that 2025 can be at least as good as last year, where we were in the end. So, nothing special. We will repeat the development of 2024.
The Italian shoe industry seems to be under pressure. How does your company do?
Our company asserts itself very well, also thanks to the possibilities we can offer the market: a good collection with a good price/performance ratio, good quality and in particular a super dynamic B2B tool, where our goods are available to our customers at the beginning of the season. And everything goes very quickly with us: when we see that an article is in demand very well, we produce afterwards and within ten days the goods are in the warehouse. Here is one of our strengths, and that makes a big difference.
Which markets develop particularly well? Which disappoint?
Our home market always remains the most important for us. But Europe plays an increasingly important role for us. Belgium, France and Ireland are our main markets in Europe, but what we are very happy at the moment is also the good development of the roof region. Despite the difficulties, especially on the German market, we see good opportunities to develop here. We worked intensively on the collection to satisfy our roof customers.
German trade is in a massive upheaval. How do you look at this situation?
Yes, it is a very difficult situation in Germany: economic, social and political. I hope that Germany will grow again soon. But I’m positive, after bad weather the sun always comes out.
Price increases are currently under discussion in Germany. How do you deal with this topic?
As I said, we offer a very good price/performance ratio. With us you can still buy a leather boot for 219 to 229 euros. This is really competitive for a made in Italy product-and not to forget: We offer a very good calculation with which a customer can also have a good margin in the sale phase. It is our endeavor to keep the prices of last season stable, even if it is sometimes difficult, of course. But we do our best so as not to disappoint our customers.
A boot trend is emerging for H/W 2025/26. Nero Giardini stands for this segment. Do you already feel an increasing demand?
Yes, absolutely! In the winter of 2023 we saw the first information in our data. In 2024 we received confirmation that the boots will be a big topic, and for this reason we realized an H/W collection in which boots play a very big role.
Where are other priorities in your collection?
In our autumn/winter 2025 collection we implemented an easier sole and a very soft footbed. Comfort and technical know-how are certainly the focus of our collection.
Do you think that after the sneaker trend it becomes more classic again?
Absolutely! There will be a return to classic styles. There is undoubtedly a large sneaker offer in the market and it looks like that people gradually want to be attracted more formally and elegantly.
Tell us an iconic shoe from your new collection!
Certainly the boot with the elastic insert in the back. This boot really adapts to every leg. And he is elegant and casual at the same time. So a shoe for every occasion.
