Texworld/Apparel Sourcing shows claim new attendance record in Paris

By

Matthieu Guinebault

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Feb 26, 2019

The textile trade shows organised by Messe Frankfurt in Paris, now known under the banner name ‘Fairyland for Fashion’, reported a record attendance figure of 13,929 visitors for their edition held on February 11-14, up 2.35% compared to February 2018.

The organiser noted a 7% growth in the number of visitors from France, the same rate of increase as last year. Altogether, European visitor attendance was up 2%, with buyers from Spain, back once again in numbers, overtaking the British and Turkish contingents, whose presence was limited respectively by the uncertainties linked to Brexit and by the unfavourable exchange rate. The number of Italian visitors was stable, while buyer attendance was up from the Netherlands (+11%), Poland (+5%), Belarus (+14%) and Bulgaria (+10%). Messe Frankfurt underlined the 44% rise in the number of visitors from Portugal, as “evidence of this country’s growing influence in apparel production.”

Outside Europe, Messe Frankfurt noted a rise in visitors from Brazil (+22%), the USA (+20%), Colombia (+9%) and Canada (+6%). As for Asia, whose visitor numbers were up in total by 14%, the most dynamic countries were India (+13%), South Korea (+6%) and especially Japan (+30%). The increased presence of Japanese buyers, whose numbers had been dropping since 2016, was particularly welcome news.

“Buyers were keen to verify the feasibility of their projects, and get their bid in first on exclusive deals. They knew in advance what they were looking for, and wanted to act on it as quickly as possible,” said the President of Messe Frankfurt France, Michael Scherpe. He also praised the curiosity of visitors for the various sourcing destinations featured at the Apparel Sourcing event.

Besides a plethora of exhibitors from China, there were several from countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia and even Ethiopia, the latter featured in a stand, decked in the country’s colours, that was impossible to miss. The fourth edition of the Texworld Denim event was also successful, and the exhibitors confirmed that business was buoyant, especially during the show’s first three days.

The next edition of ‘Fairyland for Fashion’, again held at the Le Bourget exhibition centre, is scheduled on September 16-19. Before then, Messe Frankfurt will stage its signature show, Intertextile, in Shanghai on March 12-14, while the New York edition of Texworld is scheduled on July 22-24.