COTTON USA EuroMed fair to provide sourcing assistance

“It’s a very good opportunity to meet new suppliers,” said Marie-Hélène Ambrogi of the French brand La Redoute.

Buyers and sellers of US cotton-rich textiles held more than 1,000 meetings over the two-day period. As a result of participating, 85 per cent of attendees are likely to purchase US cotton/products after attending the Sourcing Fair, compared with just 66 per cent prior to the event. Post-event surveys showed that mills and manufacturers expect to sell an additional $14.2 million in the next year due to the Sourcing Fair. In addition, 97 per cent of attendees would recommend participating in a CCI Sourcing Fair to a colleague.

“The EuroMed COTTON USA Sourcing Fair in Barcelona gave mills, manufacturers, brands and retailers a closer look at US sustainable production and our industry’s commitment to quality cotton, as well as for attendees to build important business relationships throughout the supply chain,” Ted Schneider, CCI guest speaker and Louisiana cotton producer, said. “COTTON USA is the cotton the world trusts because our family farmers constantly use and pursue the latest innovations and technologies to deliver uniform, consistent, sustainable and contamination-free cotton for less downtime, more productivity and superior quality yarn, fabric and products.”

The EuroMed Sourcing Fair proved to be a valuable education opportunity. Some 88 per cent of attendees were somewhat/very familiar with COTTON USA after the Sourcing Fair, as compared with just 62 per cent prior to the event. Moreover, 92 per cent of attendees believed US cotton quality is better than cotton from other regions after the Sourcing Fair, compared with 74 per cent who held this belief prior to the event.

Participants included 8 yarn suppliers, 9 fabric suppliers, 29 garment suppliers and 13 brands/retailers from the following countries: Egypt, Israel, Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey. Participating brands and retailers included: Artsana, Benetton, Carven, Desigual, Dodo Bar Or, La Redoute, Max Mara, Original Marines, Perseus, Pompea, Spring, Stefanel and Tendam.

Keynote speakers during the event included: Bruce Atherley, Executive Director, Cotton Council International; Ted Schneider, US cotton producer; Jesse Daystar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Cotton Incorporated; and Rupert Hodges, Executive Director, Oritain.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)