Intertextile Shanghai Home Textile to generate new biz opportunities
Source: Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd Date: 2009-05-19
Maintaining a spacious display area of 103,500sqm as last year, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles remains the largest home textile trade fair in Asia. Thus far, around 500 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions have signed up for the event including new suppliers from India and Malaysia. Running through 25 – 27 August at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the 2009 fair will adopt new twists to ensure the productive experience of exhibitors and buyers is further enhanced. To heighten exhibitors’ exposure to the right buyers, the fair will group famous home textile suppliers from around the globe into relevant products zones. New to this year’s fair is the inclusion of international brands in the Brand Bedding and Towelling Hall. More than 60 selected international and domestic big labels such as Lenzing and Kuan's Living will be showcased in this hall. To capitalise on the market opportunities available in China, curtain and upholstery manufacturers are formed into product zones to showcase their innovative textiles together with international groups and pavilions from Germany, Pakistan, Taiwan and Turkey, plus individual exhibitors from all over Europe and Australia in the international halls. Demonstrating the continued expansion of China’s home textiles market, Chinese suppliers will be grouped into: • Curtain Zone • Down Products Zone • Functional Home Textiles Products Zone • Upholstery Zone • Seven regional pavilions In order to generate new business opportunities for both exhibitors and visitors, a VIP programme inviting important buyers and retailers from around the world has been created. Nibico, agent of Trussardi-Home, Benetton, Sisley Casa, CK Home in region of Greater China as well as other big brands has attended Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles for a number of years in an effort to find quality suppliers. Ms. Wong, a representative from Nibico’s buying department said, “this fair is one of our major product sourcing channels. For the last three years, we have successfully found new suppliers and are confident to achieve equally good results in the coming edition.” To amplify time efficiency, a tailor-made business matching service for VIP buyers to meet exhibitors on-site has also been created. Mr. Cheung from Marks & Spencer - one of the largest UK based retailers said, “I feel that the business-matching service is a fantastic initiative to help me narrow down my search for quality suppliers in an effective manner, and reduce the time to bring a product to market.” China - booming market for home textile Despite the downturn in the global economy, China’s Gross Domestic Production is forecasted to maintain a steady growth rate of 6.5 percent in 2009. Most significantly, home textile imports for the first two months of this year increased by 72 percent compared to the same period as last year. In addition, the purchasing power of Mainland Chinese, especially the younger generation is gaining momentum as a result of rises in household disposable income. Presently, this is valued at RMB 300 billion and is increasing annually by 30 percent. When combined with the Chinese central government’s RMB 900 billion investment in housing over the next three years, the country’s home textile market will expand substantially. |