Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is the undisputable leader when it comes to providing business outcomes for the global textile industry. The global sourcing summit that is Intertextile Shanghai wrapped up with a huge 15 per cent increase in the buyer figure to 82,314 from 104 countries and regions (2017: 71,450, 103 countries and regions), to go along with the 3,386 exhibitors from 22 countries and regions (2017: 3,341, 26 countries and regions) that exhibited at the National Exhibition and Convention Center.
Strong growth was registered in buyers from Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, and India—this edition’s top four countries and regions, while Italy and Bangladesh entered the top 10 list this year, in eighth and tenth places respectively, alongside the US, Taiwan, Russia, and the UK.
“After the strong increase in the buyer figure at last October’s Autumn Edition and the generally favourable outlook of the global textile industry in recent months, we were expecting a strong result this year, but the increased number of exhibitors and buyers placing their trust in this fair as their main business platform has completely exceeded our expectations,” Ms Wendy Wen, Senior General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., explained after the fair. “We put this exceptional result down to the fact that there is no other industry event that matches Intertextile Shanghai’s scale, but most importantly that year after year the fair delivers new contacts from around the world and actual orders and business results for exhibitors. With the quality and quantity of buyers this edition and the tangible outcomes reported to us by exhibitors, the fair has reached a new level as the kick-off event for the spring/summer season.”
Just one of the many exhibitors to echo these sentiments was first-time French lace exhibitor Jean Bracq. “We are here to promote our lace to worldwide markets,” Mr Philippe Larrieu, Responsible Commercial Export, said. “A lot of people have come to our booth, including from China, Australia, India, France, the US, and more. On the first day we had already received 60 sampling enquiries…even our catalogue ran out! So the result is beyond our expectation. At this fair, we not only meet new buyers, but also see our existing customers, which we usually meet in fairs in Paris.”
Seven halls and 187,000 sqm, equal to 2017, were in use at this edition, with everything from fabrics for ladieswear, menswear, suiting, shirting, lingerie and swimwear to high-end wool fabrics, original pattern designs, functional & performance fabrics, sustainability products & services, digital printing technologies, garment & fashion accessories and more on display. Growth areas this edition included the Premium Wool Zone, with the exhibitor number doubling from last year, reflecting the evolving use of wool in spring / summer collections. The international area of the Beyond Denim zone also doubled in size this year, while overseas presence in Accessories Vision grew by 73%.
Buyer comments
“This fair gives us a good overview of what’s happening in the market. We’re looking for a wide range of products, so the fair is good as it has a bit of everything. It’s good for researching new vendors, and you can always find new ones to work with. The scope of the fair is also very useful. Our knit R&D team goes to Yarn Expo, while we find the Functional Lab and Beyond Denim segmented zones in Intertextile absolutely useful. The innovation in the Functional Lab is interesting as we’re always looking for new innovation. It’s really helpful how the fair is sorted, and we could easily cover all our shirting needs in one morning.”
Ms Michelle Klein, Manager Fabric R&D, American Eagle Outfitters, USA
“We’re here to look for new fabrics and new suppliers to cooperate with, which we’ve achieved. Each edition, we will visit 60-70 exhibitors, with half of them being new contacts. Our favourite part about the fair is the Trend Forum. Every time we come, we will visit this first, select the fabrics we are interested in, then visit the exhibitors accordingly. The fair is also a great place and timing for us to meet all kinds of suppliers.”
Ms Kitt Chan, Senior Business Unit Head, Tom Tailor Sourcing, China
“This fair is the ‘alpha’ to find new suppliers, and the ‘alpha’ for relationship building with companies as everyone is here. It’s good to come here to learn who the actual manufacturers are, and who the middle men that you might meet overseas are. We can meet people here that we can’t at other fairs, where it’s often just the agents present, so it’s easier to manage suppliers by coming here as you have more direct contact. Timing is the first thing in fashion, so it’s important to have this direct contact.”
Mr Nicola Grosso, Global R&D Fabric & Trimming Manager, Brooks Brothers, USA
The Autumn Edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics will be held on the earlier date of 27 – 29 September 2018 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center.
