ATSC on track for record-breaking shows in Canada

18 Apr '19

3 min read

Pic: Apparel Textile Sourcing

With pre-registration numbers already exceeding forecasts, Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada (ATSC), which will take place from August 19-21, 2019 in Toronto, and on August 23, 2019 in Montreal, is on track for another series of record-breaking shows. Apparel Textile Sourcing tradeshows are the apparel industry’s link to the entire global supply chain.

New to ATSC 2019 will be a range of first-time offerings, from expanded product variety and a new ‘wholesale supplier’ section, to the latest in fashion technology, eco-friendly textiles, and sustainable supply chains. The leading roster of speakers headlining the three-day event includes Bob Kirke, executive director of the Canadian Apparel Federation; Julie Hughes, president of the US Fashion Industry Association; Diego Diaz; trade commissioner representing Guatemala; Avedis Seferian, president and CEO of WRAP; and Tony Sciarrotta, executive director of the Reverse Logistics Association; among many others, according to a press release on the show.

With a global shift in consumer preferences and social consciousness, Kirke and other ATSC speakers will provide important updates on sustainability, in addition to repairing fragmented supply chains and trade, importing and exporting issues. On the opening day, the subjects of communication, growth potential, free trade zones and compliance, among others, will be discussed in a panel on the topic of sustainability in Your Supplier Evaluation and Decision-Making Matrix.

Import and export is all-encompassing — whether orders are the size of an ocean container or a few cases — and businesses today need to have multiple options for how to transact and move merchandise to their buyers. As show attendees will learn, the next frontier for Canadian apparel businesses is export through ecommerce, now more relevant for B2B buying and selling than ever, and Canadian companies need to adapt. This year’s seminar series will provide valuable resource options to move bulk merchandise in and out of the Canadian market by leveraging cross-border ecommerce platforms and other omni-channel solutions.

Returning to ATSC on a significantly larger scale, the Indian Pavilion will give attendees the ability to source wool products, basic knitwear with several finishing techniques, suiting and other woven items, leather accessories, and other specialised items from selected manufacturers. This year, India’s representation will also expand to include home textiles and silk products brought in through The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, among others to be announced.

Indian exporters will showcase their emerging position in the textile and apparel world market and cater to the rise of micro-brands that are becoming the norm in North America. While India has traditionally been known for accommodating larger purchase orders, many factories have now adapted to facilitate the needs of smaller brands and enterprise level buyers, who produce goods for six to eight seasons per year.

The three core factors in buying decisions to nominate a vendor are centred on quality, price, and speed-to-market. Out of these, speed-to-market from suppliers to the brand or retailer — and consumer — appears to take more priority each year for many businesses throughout the supply chain. In 2018, ATSC introduced AVENUE at ATS, where attendees were able to meet brand exhibitors with merchandise that could be ordered and fulfilled immediately. With thousands of retailers attending the event, demand for a wider assortment of buying options grows with each show cycle. As a result, this year, ATSC is opening its doors for brands and wholesalers to exhibit, in order to cater to the immediate product needs of many retailers. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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