Hello, we are here as Magazine Leather Publishing at the 73rd AYMOD Fair. We’re visiting the stand of one of Türkiye’s leading footwear brands — GROTTO.
– Hello, Mrs. Selda.
Hello.
– First, could you introduce yourself and the GROTTO brand?
Of course. Our company was founded in 2000. Since then, we have been active in leather footwear production for both men and women across all segments. We offer products in both fashion and casual categories. In addition to our own brand, GROTTO, we also manufacture for other brands.
Furthermore, I am a member of the E-Commerce Committee of the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I am engaged in various initiatives related to e-commerce. As you know, e-commerce has become indispensable in our time. Especially after the pandemic, this field has grown rapidly — including in our sector. Under the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we support companies in this regard.
We participate in fairs and prepare collections. In addition to summer and winter collections, we also create in-between collections based on the special requests of brands. Our entire business approach is customer-oriented. All our products are domestically manufactured. We mainly focus on men’s footwear, but we also produce women’s fashion models seasonally.
“Lightweight, breathable, and comfortable summer models take the lead”
– Which models are prominent this year? What are you showcasing at the fair?
This summer season, lightweight and breathable models are in high demand. Perforated and air-circulating products are particularly preferred. As in other countries, sandals and slippers have become very popular in Türkiye during the summer months. Accordingly, we’ve expanded our collection with thinner soles and non-sweating, comfortable designs. We’ve received very positive feedback from visitors.
– You also have sandal models, right?
Yes, our sandal models for both men and women are sold under our own brand.
– Do you have other brands, or only GROTTO?
Currently, we operate under the GROTTO brand. However, we also have a brand called Footmark for international markets. Generally, we sell domestically under GROTTO, and export products under Footmark. However, this can vary depending on client demand. All our materials are sourced from Türkiye. We have no imported materials — production is entirely local.
“An export network extending from Poland to America”
– Do you export?
Yes, we do. We export to many countries, including Poland, Romania, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. Each season, we prepare new collections using different leather and sole combinations. Every model comes in at least three different colors.
– Could you tell us a bit about your 2026–2027 collections?
For the summer collection, we focused on lightweight, breathable, and comfortable products. For the winter season, the opposite — warm, waterproof, non-slip, and trekking-inspired everyday footwear will take the spotlight.
Consumer habits are changing globally. Instead of buying a different pair of shoes for every outfit, people now prefer versatile products. We focus on producing sustainable and long-lasting footwear. Our 2026 vision will continue in that direction.
“We offer daily sporty styles”
– Do you have sports shoes in your collection?
Not pure sports shoes, but we do have what we call “casual” models — styles that can be easily worn with jeans, sweatpants, or daily outfits. For summer, we work with espadrilles and light models with woven or jute soles. These styles are very popular under trousers.
– Do you sell retail?
No, we are not active in retail. We operate only in wholesale and production.
However, our products are sold in retail stores through the street retailers we supply to.
– Do you also produce for other brands under their own labels?
Of course. If a client wants to use their own box and logo, we can manufacture for them above a certain quantity. We are quite flexible in this regard.
“AYMOD is an indispensable fair for us”
– How has AYMOD been for you this year?
AYMOD has become an essential fair for us. We have a regular visitor portfolio, and we make sure to present our collection here for them. Fair preparations motivate us to follow fashion trends more closely and earlier.
After the pandemic, there has been a noticeable contraction in fairs worldwide, especially in Europe. Much of trade has shifted to online platforms. Yet, there is still a strong group of buyers who prefer to touch and see products before purchasing. Those are the people visiting fairs. I don’t think this tradition will disappear easily. There’s still considerable international interest. That’s why we make sure to participate in every edition of the fair.
“Guiding women entrepreneurs is a great source of pride”
– You are also actively involved in women entrepreneur clubs. Could you tell us more?
Of course. Bursa is truly rich in this respect. There are many associations and platforms that support women entrepreneurs. We work actively under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Guiding new entrepreneurs and helping them engage in different sectors is very valuable to us.
I have been in business life for about 30 years. I believe it is very important for experienced professionals to share their knowledge. The new generation is quite entrepreneurial. However, Generation Z tends to prefer managerial roles and dislikes taking orders. Therefore, reducing generational conflicts and building a collaborative work culture is crucial. We are working toward that goal.
“For young entrepreneurs: patience, planning, and realism”
– What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
They are all very enthusiastic. I would advise them to progress patiently and step by step. Start small — the business will grow itself. Sometimes starting with a 20-square-meter shop can be smarter than starting with 200 square meters.
Trade is a challenging field, especially in this period of global slowdown. Supply is high and demand is low. That’s why it’s important to act with logic, not just excitement. And most importantly: never lose hope.
“A single shoe has about 40 different components.”
– Some people claim that technologies like AI and 3D printers will cause the footwear industry to disappear. What do you think?
The footwear industry will never disappear. As long as people walk, they will need shoes. Leather shoe production requires extensive handcrafting, so fully robotic manufacturing isn’t really possible.
A single shoe has about 40 different components. Bringing them all together by machine requires significant manual work. Automation might increase in raw material or sole production, but human labor will always play a key role in leather footwear.
Türkiye is very close to Europe, follows fashion closely, and adapts quickly. Yes, China is an alternative, but its delivery times are long. In this sense, Türkiye remains in an advantageous position.
“Quality and consistency are our top priorities”
Our biggest challenge is maintaining consistent quality and standards at every level of production. We obtain the certificates and perform the tests required by Europe. However, the entire industry needs to operate at the same level. “Underground” production must be eliminated because poor-quality manufacturing damages the entire sector.
Türkiye’s footwear industry — especially in leather — will remain unmatched as long as it maintains its standards.
“Our location advantage is significant”
We have an excellent geographic location and fast supply chains. Once we receive an order, we can deliver within 45 days. We don’t require large quantities; we can produce flexibly. This is a major advantage for the European market.
Despite economic fluctuations, as long as we maintain our quality, I believe Türkiye will once again become Europe’s preferred manufacturing hub.
“We will continue doing what we do best”
Everyone in the sector contributes greatly. Even though times are tough, we must never lose hope. We will continue doing what we know best — and everyone should do the same.
– Does GROTTO have a website?
Yes, we do. However, we do not sell directly online. Users can create accounts; once a request is sent, they receive a password and can view our collections.
– Thank you very much, and we wish you a successful fair.
Thank you for your time. See you again soon.
