Apparel fair suffers from upshots of economic downtrend

30 Jul '08

2 min read

The biannual apparel fair SIMM which ran from July 17 to 19, witnessed a sharp decline in visitors this year and reported the lowest turnout since 2004.

Reasons have been attributed to bringing forward the fair dates as well as a sharp decline in consumer confidence. While the overall presence at the exhibition fell by nearly 60 percent to 6,598 visitors, the overseas attendance dropped from 2,010 to 973.

In fact, even the numbers of exhibitors participating at the fair got reduced by almost 30 percent to 571 from 811, compared to the last spring-summer edition in September.

Industrialists in Spain have noted that domestic consumption is stagnating and the present scenario at the trade fair is only a reflection of the weakened market situation in the country.

Some of the exhibitors have even complained that due to preponing of the fair dates, many of them had to face inconvenience as factories were not prepared and failed to produce the required fabrics for exhibiting at the fair.

Products displayed at the event featured classic mid market brands, party clothes, laid-back summer dresses and separates; a wide range of vibrant swimwear, especially from Brazil, the fair's guest country, and novelty knits.

Most of these products were made available in various hues from white and muted pale shades to bold blends of pastel and acid tones of pink and berry shades with neon green.

Experts have opined that established brands are likely to suffer less due to this down trend. However, since both dollar and the global economy are suffering, the only way to survive for trading companies is to offer value added and exceptionally distinctive items to international buyers.

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