Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles
China International Trade Fair for Home Textiles & Accessories
Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China
26 - 28 August 2008

PRESS RELEASE

Home textiles trade rapidly growing across China

International towelling and bedding zones help refine trade

Show sharpens its focus on design

Residential living space in China reached 170 million sqm last year - roughly equal to the entire size of Greece. With all that space to fill, home textile consumption is skyrocketing along with demand for top quality, imported products. Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles, running 26 - 28 August 2008, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai, provides international textile manufacturers a direct and professional avenue for reaching this key market. About 30,000 mostly Chinese trade buyers attend, including importers, wholesalers, retailers, department stores and agents - the ideal targets for international suppliers.

Trade buyers in China are eager to find products to match the growing demand for sophisticated and quality furnishings. The new generation in China has more living space and disposable income than ever before - and craves high-end, imported luxury brands. In 2007, home textile imports to China rose 25%, earning USD 80 million. 

Bedding and towelling demand on the rise

Of the entire home textile category, imports of bedding and towelling products to China showed the largest rise last year. In response, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles is launching a special zone for international bedding and towelling manufactures.
* Bed linen represented 40% of home textile imports in 2007, worth USD 32 million of trade. Imports of towel products rose a third in 2007 and accounted for USD 4 million in trade.
* The International Towelling and Bedding Zone will feature 1,000 sqm of trade space in a specially designated area set up in the international hall for optimal exposure.
"This zone is one of the most convenient ways for international producers of high-quality bedding and towelling to meet important Chinese buyers directly," says Ms Wendy Wen, Director of Trade Fairs for Messe Frankfurt Hong Kong. "It is an ideal trade platform for suppliers hoping to expand into China."

Design sophistication growing, reflected in special features

The show is also proving its international stature with a series of first-rate design programmes. Style and design in China are enjoying a renaissance, and that extends to home décor. Displays at the show will feature winners of a global design competition and international designers with an interest in China will be featured in a special Designer Studio. These programmes add value for all participants and help facilitate more interaction with buyers. They also promote creativity and help make the show cutting edge.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles is organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.; The Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and China Home Textile Association (CHTA). For information email textile@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com or fax (852) 2598 8771. For information on all Messe Frankfurt home textile fairs, visit www.heimtextil.de.