Industry players to make comeback at Intertextile Shenzhen in Nov 2023

Wilmet Shea, general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said: “With China’s borders opening up, we expect the return of in-person business to further stimulate the country’s textile industry. After an extended pandemic pause there is pent-up demand for this trade fair. We know from talking to exhibitors how eager they are to get back to business-as-usual, and they know Intertextile Shenzhen is the best place to meet influential buyers and trend-setters, including some of South China’s leading garment manufacturers.” Shea is confident that the fair will continue to be an effective platform for participants to make the most of this promising market.

China is the largest textile producer and exporter in the world. Despite the challenges facing the global economy, signs are looking positive for the nation’s textile industry. The Chinese textile market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of over 5 per cent from 2020-2026, organiser Messe Frankfurt said in a press release.

China’s fastest growing city aims to become a global fashion capital—Shenzhen is now home to over 2,500 clothing brands, with the vast majority being self-owned. According to Shenzhen Customs, in the first three quarters of 2022, the city’s garment exports reached $7.6 billion, increasing by 9.8 per cent year-on-year. Notably, there was a sharp rise in exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, the UK, and the US. 

By combining Shenzhen’s strategic value with the globally recognised Intertextile Apparel brand, the fair has gained immense industry support. At the fair’s previous edition in 2020, Prateek Agarwal, head fabric sourcing Vietnam of Asmara International Limited, said: “The Shenzhen edition of Intertextile Apparel is particularly valuable to us because we are based in northern Vietnam, which is in close proximity to South China. Sourcing from the region helps to reduce the lead time to just 12-24 hours after the orders are placed.”

Also speaking at the fair’s previous edition, Jane Han Zhang, creative director of FWS Fairbairn & Wolf Studio, UK, expressed her positive impressions: “Intertextile Shenzhen has been good for expanding our business. The fair is influential to the industry and is a strong drawcard for industry players. Shenzhen is also one of the most promising markets in China.”

With the return of international participation, the fair’s fringe programme, comprising Intertextile Apparel’s signature Trend Forum, seminars, and product presentations, will provide a platform for exhibitors to showcase their latest products to quality buyers from across the globe. Participants can also maximise their trading opportunities by utilising the fair’s online platform, Intertextile Hub. One of its features, Connect PLUS, administers business matching between exhibitors and buyers, and facilitates one-to-one meetings onsite, or online for buyers unable to attend physically.

As the fair is held concurrently with Yarn Expo Shenzhen, CHIC GBA, and PH Value, fairgoers will have the opportunity to source from the entire textile value chain.

Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of the Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)