Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics — China International Trade Fair for Apparel Fabrics and Accessories
25 — 28 October 2006, Shanghai New International Expo Centre

• An unprecedented number of exhibitors and visitors make Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics the leading apparel fabrics fair in Asia
• Over 52,000 visitors attended the show, an increase of 16% from 2005
• Buyers come to see 2,033 exhibitors, 33% more exhibitors than the previous year

 
Final Report

Over 52,000 visitors from 97 countries and regions came to this year's Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, cementing it as one of the biggest apparel fabrics fairs in the world. Every year the show becomes more popular and successful — 2,033 exhibitors attended this year, a 33% increase from 2005. The feedback from exhibitors was excellent; companies were thrilled with the buzz at the show and the number of quality customers that they met. Many first-time exhibitors have said they will definitely return in 2007 whilst returning exhibitors have already got this show built into their future marketing plans. 

Visitor attendance at this year's trade fair increased by 16% compared to last year, proving that the show has become more well-known and is seen as a key event in the apparel fabrics industry calendar. Both visitors from the domestic and international markets have had an impact on the number of buyers.

Buyers at the show were spoilt for choice as there was an enormous array of cotton, wool, silk, linen, ramie, man-made, knitted and coated materials available to see at the show. Lingerie and swimwear fabrics, functional fabrics, prints, fibres and yarns, embroidery and lace were all also on display. The show had a number of fabric accessories companies exhibiting this year too.

Yihua Unifi Fibre Industry Co, China, is one such company that was delighted with the show. Mr Robert Berrier, Vice President of Commercial Operations, said: "The show is excellent! It provides us with the chance to meet buyers and retailers of global brands. There is so much excitement among the visitors and we've had lots of interest in our products. We attended last year and from that we have started to work with some famous international manufacturers. China is the hottest market just now with room for high-end products."

Other exhibitors were also pleased with the buyers' interest in high-end materials. Mr Scenic Chang, President of Scenic, Korea, said: "We have been here so many times. Our major purpose is to promote our collection. Our booth has been very busy. We've received a lot of interest, even though our products are from the high-end market. With the fast development of the China market, I believe that it is important to exhibit here every year so that we can be involved in this booming industry."

The number of international exhibitors has also increased as businesses begin to realise the importance of the Chinese market. More and more exhibitors want to be close to the textile manufacturing industry, which is increasingly moving to the China. Other reasons for exhibiting include the opportunities for creating products for a country that has a population of nearly 1.3 billion.

Ms Nadia Schincardi, Export Manager, Tessitura Monti spa, an Italian menswear fabric manufacturer, sees a successful market in China for their collections. Ms Schincardi said: "Exhibiting at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is a good way to see current customers and meet new ones. Shanghai is a great place to promote menswear fabrics as the manufacturing industry is centred here. We think China will become one of the most important markets in the world due to the large population."

Ploucquet from Germany were impressed with the show and believed it to be the best place to meet international customers. Elyse Kohyann of Ploucquet, said: "It has been very busy. We're established in Europe and wanted to get into the Asian market, as there is a growing demand for high quality fabrics here. But we have also met around 50 potential customers from places such as Australia, Europe, France, Indonesia, North Africa and the US. We would recommend it as the apparel fabrics fair to attend. We will definitely return next year — it's the best fair we have participated in and there are lots of professionals here."

These comments about the internationality of the fair were echoed by Helena Matos, R & D Manager of Tebe, Portugal, said: "We attend because it is an international fair, it is the most important apparel fabrics fair in Asia. Our clients come here and they like it too. We're interested in the China market because it is huge, and the Chinese like European products. They like fine yarns and high quality products and we see a potential for growth in the future."

The show was also a good place to learn about future trends. Colourful displays of fabrics and accessories were staged in many of the halls to inspire designers of future collections. A packed fringe programme was organised for visitors and exhibitors. A two and a half day symposium featuring presentations about future fashion, fabric and colour trends for women and menswear, and the issues facing the textile industry took place during the show.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is organised by Messe Frankfurt, The Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT-Tex and the China Information Textile Centre. The next fair will be held at Shanghai New International Expo Centre 29 October —
1 November 2007. The fair will be open to exclusive buyers only on 29 October. 

-end-