The voices of running specialty retailers: why attend ORBDAYS & Outdoor
In 2026, taking part in ORBDAYS & Outdoor will not simply mean attending an industry event, but also becoming part of the broader context of the European Outdoor & Running Week, from May 14 to 19, which will transform Riva del Garda into one of Europe’s key hubs for the outdoor and running business.
For running specialty retailers, this is the real new feature of the 2026 edition: ORBDAYS & Outdoor will take place from Sunday, May 17 to Tuesday, May 19, and will no longer be just a trade show, but part of an international and strategic ecosystem where product, market, relationships, and vision coexist at the same time and in the same place.
This is exactly where the trade show gains even more value for those working in running specialty. Because today, more than ever, a retailer doesn’t just need to see collections, but to understand the market, anticipate industry directions, engage with the right brands, and build assortments with greater awareness.
Five reasons to attend the trade show
1. Running is evolving — and it needs to be understood up close
In recent years, running has become more complex and segmented.
Road, trail, performance, comfort, training, race-day, increasingly specialized footwear, technical apparel, accessories, and a more informed customer base are all reshaping how a store builds its assortment. Being present at ORBDAYS & Outdoor means being able to read these changes more directly, comparing visions, collections, and strategies in a key moment of the season.
2. Build a better assortment
For a retailer, the true value of an industry event lies in the quality of the decisions it helps make.
Meeting multiple brands in the same setting, comparing positioning, reviewing new products, observing category evolution, and connecting products with each other allows for clearer, more informed buying decisions. In a market where choosing better matters more than choosing more.
3. Truly connect with brands
One of the most tangible advantages of ORBDAYS & Outdoor is direct human interaction.
Speaking with agents, distributors, brand managers, and product teams allows retailers to gather insights that often don’t emerge elsewhere: sell-out support, collection strategies, availability, materials, storytelling, training, and commercial potential. At a time when specialty stores must differentiate more than ever, the relationship with brands is not a detail — it is part of the competitive advantage.
4. Test, observe, and validate
In running specialty, a product cannot be effectively communicated without first being truly understood.
The opportunity to closely observe new products, place them in a real context, and immediately engage with those who designed or distribute them helps retailers validate their choices more effectively. This also has a direct impact in-store: those who know the product better can explain it better, sell it better, and make it more credible in the eyes of the end customer.
5. The 2026 context raises the level of the experience
The inclusion of ORBDAYS & Outdoor within the European Outdoor Week also changes the value of participation.
This year, the trade show becomes part of a broader ecosystem where product, market, sustainability, industrial vision, and relationships coexist at the same time and in the same place. For specialty retailers, this means experiencing the trade show in a more strategic way: not just as an opportunity to view collections and meet brands, but as a moment to better understand the industry and make more informed business decisions.
Running is becoming increasingly central
Running now has a strong, independent identity and is becoming increasingly central within the European sports business landscape.
Specialty retailers need events that truly speak their language: selection, specialization, relationships, and vision. ORBDAYS & Outdoor fits exactly into this space, and this year does so with even greater strength, thanks to a new, broader, and more relevant international context.
This is confirmed not only by the positioning of the event, but also by the market response: hundreds of retailers have already chosen to attend, recognizing the event as an increasingly valuable moment to understand the sector, engage with brands, and guide their future decisions.
We have collected some of their testimonials, which directly explain why today the trade show represents an increasingly important appointment for those working in running specialty.
Retailers’ voices
“We attend the event mainly to get an overview of the outdoor and running market, with particular attention to emerging trends and company initiatives. It is also an important moment of exchange between retailers and companies, useful for discussing the current season and future forecasts. At a national level, we consider it the most important trade show in the sector. And there’s also another aspect that shouldn’t be underestimated: the location is fantastic.”
— Marco Piovesan, Passsport, Busche (BL)
“We will attend to discover what’s new in the industry, connect with other professionals, and explore the latest trends.
Being present at this event also allows us to strengthen our network and evaluate new brands to include in our stores, always with the goal of offering our customers the best solutions for running and walking in comfort and safety.
Our main expectations are therefore to find inspiration, update our offering, and create new collaborations that can enrich the Rico Running proposition for all running and walking enthusiasts.”
— Massimo Mangino, Rico Running, Livorno and Lucca
“I attend because, in fact, it’s the only trade show left focused on trail running and outdoor where I can see the new SS2027 collections in one day and in one place. It’s also a great opportunity to meet friends and competitors, but above all to meet people from the companies — such as product managers, customer service teams, and managers — whom you don’t often see during the year. My expectations are not particularly high in commercial terms, because I don’t go there to place orders, but mainly to observe, explore, and evaluate.”
— Hansjörg Pichler, Pro:Cursu, Bolzano
“For us, it’s always important to be there, because it’s a way to assess how much companies are investing in our sector.
Especially by observing, season after season, how major brands allocate their budgets and how much they focus on running. The trade show also allows us to discover or better understand emerging brands, especially when we need to introduce new products in-store, such as accessories.
It is also a valuable opportunity to physically experience products that we had previously only seen during the online ordering phase and evaluated based on company information: at the trade show, we can finally see them in person.
Lastly, it remains an important moment to exchange views with colleagues, especially today when brand-organized meetings are becoming increasingly rare or, in some cases, no longer take place.”
— Luigi Ferraris, Ready To Run, Torre Boldone (BG)
“We will attend because it is one of the most important trade shows in Italy and sees wide participation from industry companies. Being there is essential to understand the direction brands are taking and how they plan to operate in future seasons.
Moreover, the trade show offers the opportunity to test and physically experience new collections, which is always very important for us.
Our expectation is that the exhibiting brands will provide the highest level of technical expertise in explaining their products, allowing us to evaluate them with greater awareness.”
— Marco Figliuzzi, KM 42, Vicenza
Are you a specialty retailer or an industry professional? Register at this link. See you in Riva!
