"The recently concluded Intertextile Pavilion Shenzhen wrapped up its 2016 edition with nearly 15 per cent increase in visitor figure, welcoming over 17,000 visitors from 37 countries and regions. The top 10 overseas visitors were: Hong Kong, the US, Canada, India, Russia, Singapore, Korea, Australia, Japan and Turkey. Moreover, a total of 675 exhibitors from seven countries took part this year."

The recently concluded Intertextile Pavilion Shenzhen wrapped up its 2016 edition with nearly 15 per cent increase in visitor figure, welcoming over 17,000 visitors from 37 countries and regions. The top 10 overseas visitors were: Hong Kong, the US, Canada, India, Russia, Singapore, Korea, Australia, Japan and Turkey. Moreover, a total of 675 exhibitors from seven countries took part this year.

Thriving demand in South China

The uncertain global economic situation didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of exhibitors who were keen to explore opportunities in South China market, with many opining that they experienced high demand in the fair. First time exhibitor WIG Korea has just begun to develop its business in the China market and chose Shenzhen as the entry point.

The organisers of the Taiwan and Korea Pavilions were optimistic about the South China market. As John Lee, Director of the Exhibition Project Division of DGTIA, Korea, pointed out Shenzhen is a fast-growing city being a Special Economic Zone. More than 3,000 garment factories are located here, which creates enormous demand for apparel fabrics and accessories. Korean exhibitors believe that this fair is the best platform for them to reach new buyers and develop their businesses in this favourable market.

Agreeing with Lee, Petra Peng, representative of the Taiwan Textile Federation said that this market contains ample opportunities. More than 75 per cent of fashion brands in South China are keen to purchase high-quality overseas products. To cater to Taiwan suppliers’ growing interest in the South China textile market, the pavilion organisers debuted a business-matching event on the first day. Peng introduced the strong buyer profile she saw in the pavilion business matching session, saying: “Over 20 domestic brands attended the events, and many of them have their own subsidiary brands or several product lines, and they have very high demand for quality as well as innovative products.”

Effectiveness and high-quality buyer profile

To tap the potential South China market, new overseas suppliers debuted at the event. Many reported they had exceeded their target result because of the high-quality trade platform and buyers. Toru Maekawa, General Manager of Toko Shoji’s Sales Department, explained: “Our target buyers – leading fashion brands from Hong Kong including Marc O’Polo, Ralph Lauren, DKNY and Givenchy – have already visited our booth and placed sample orders with us. In fact, we were surprised to receive other buyers that we weren’t expecting, such as garment manufacturers as well as mid-level fashion brands from Beijing and Shanghai who were also sourcing here. The overall result exceeded our expectation.”

Indian manufacturer Texorange Corporation debuted Indian lace and embroidery at the fair. Managing Director Vikas Jhawar was thrilled with the result. He said that they connected with a number of quality buyers in the fair. They had very serious business discussion with almost 20 Chinese retail brands and overseas buyers in the first two days.

High quality of products on offer

Buyers too expressed their appreciation for the high-quality sourcing options. One of the invited VIP buyers, Connie Chiu, Senior Manager (R&D) of Marc O’Polo Hong Kong, said she found several potential suppliers and discovered new materials in the international area.

For the first time, Hong Kong & Kowloon Spinning Weaving and Dyeing Trade Workers General Union (HKSWD) led a VIP delegation group to the fair. The delegation included product managers, sourcing officers and textile texting specialists, and all of them had very positive feedback on the quality of the products the fair featured.

Amongst the visitors were many top international fashion brand buyers, such as Brooks Brothers, Combi, Descente, Diesel, DKNY, Evisu, G2000, I.T, Initial, KINJI, Macy’s, Marc O’Polo, Pepe Jeans, Ralph Lauren, Zara and many more. In addition, the fair attracted a number of well-known domestic brands including 6IXTY 8IGHT, Bosideng, Canto Motto, Cosmo Lady, EITIE, Goelia, Lilanz, Septwolves, WSM and more.

The next Intertextile Pavilion Shenzhen will take place in mid-July, 2017 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center again. The next Messe Frankfurt apparel fabrics and accessories fair in China is Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2016 which will be held in Shanghai from October 11-13.