Camper

1.
The year 2011 was a difficult one for the Spanish economy: recession, unacceptable levels of unemployment, the sovereign debt crisis, distrust of the markets, growth in public debt and segments of the financial sector requiring recapitalisation.
The world economy worsened significantly in 2011, owing to the persistence of certain weaknesses in the developed economies and above all, due tothe worsening sovereign debt crisis in Europe, which has reached a point in which the markets are beginning to consider the possible break-up of the euro. The effects of this crisis on the real economy are beginning to be felt, through a tightening of credit conditions and an increase in uncertainty.
As far as the Spanish footwear industry is concerned, it experienced significant growth based onforeign trade (exports+imports) which reached the combined figure of almost €4 billion, with a cover rate of 90%.
2011 was a positive year for the footwear industry: No jobs were lost and the numbers of companies and production levels were maintained.
When analysing the data, it is important to bear in mind that the situation is still very complex because of the extent of internationalisation inthe sector, the nature of global trade and the great diversity of business strategies.

3. The footwear sector is continuing the transformation that has seen it improve its com- petitiveness in an environment shaped by globalisation, and which has driven companies to adopt different business models and a wide range of strategies with the aim of increasing their presence in international markets.Inter-company cooperation and geographical multi- location have been the strategies that have impacted most heavily on the diversification in business models.
Footwear is a sector that is undergoing con-tinuous technological expansion, with some of the most significant innovations relating to monitoring market trends, using new materials, optimising logistics and distribution systems, carryingout projects with related industries and activities, and incorporating advanced computer-assisted design and manufacturing technologies.
The leather and footwear sector invests 60.3% in internal R&D compared with 39.4% for all sectors overall.
Nowadays, footwear is a very environmentally-conscious industrial sector, complying with all applicable European regulations, and recognising theimportance that consumers place on these issues.
In terms of geographical area, the Valencian Community, with its main activity hubs in the province of Alicante (Elche, Elda and Villena), Vall de Uxo in Castellón and some firms in other towns in the region, accounts for 66% of Spanish footwear companies. It is followed by Castile-La Mancha (Almansa and Fuensalida), accounting for 10.1%, La Rioja with8.3%, the traditional centres of Majorca and Menorca in the Balearic Islands (4.4%), the districts of Brea de Aragón and Illueca (4.2%) in the province of Zaragoza, along with Alhama de Murcia and Valverde del Camino in Huelva, make up the geographical map of our industry.
5. By markets
Traditional, well-established markets for Spanish footwear have been consolidated. Exports have risen in valuein France (6.2%), Italy (11%), Germany (2.6%) and the United Kingdom (6.4%).
· United States. This is one of the markets that offers good opportunities for Spanish footwear. Exports were up 16.4% in volume and 11.5% in value. It is important to point out that the average export price in this market is one of the highest (€ 39.55/pair). At the same time, Canada also recorded 30% growth in thenumber of pairs and 18% in value.
· In Japan, the leading buyer of Spanish footwear in Asia, exports rose significantly (38% in the number of pairs and 29% in value) despite the consequences of the tragedy that devastated the country in 2011.
China now lies in eleventh place in the ranking, and is the market that has seen the most growth. Exports grew at outstanding rates in both pairs and value,...