Shanghai show traffic suggests China is ‘back to business’
Final figures following the conclusion of China-based trade show Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics (Intertextile Apparel) suggest that almost 100,000 trade buyers from 101 countries and regions attended the three-day fair, which ended on March 30.
Said buyers met with close to 3,000 exhibitors, hailing from 22 territories, organisers said. Compared to figures from the previous spring edition, which last took place in 2021, the number of international companies who exhibited at the show had grown by 25%. Among these, 46% were returnees.
Representatives from Belgium, Portugal, Pakistan and Cambodia all participated for the first time, as did delegates from the Macao special administrative region. The post-show report noted that pavilions dedicated to Japanese, South Korean, Taiwanese and Hong Kong suppliers, in particular, had experienced "high traffic”.
The event's "overwhelming visitor flow" points to the prevalence of a "back-to-business mentality" in China right now, suggested general manager at fair organiser Messe Frankfurt (HK), Wilmet Shea.
Yarn Expo, meanwhile, staged concurrently, reported visits from more than 28,000 buyers who had travelled from 70 countries and regions, up from 21,204 visitors and 16 territories in 2021, when the event last took place. The number of exhibitors was 451 versus 2021, when 387 companies exhibited. Ms Shea said she had observed “a stronger-than-usual appetite” for establishing and renewing business relationships at the show.
“Yarn Expo is the only textile fair that we join and the most influential for yarn,” commented marketing and communications lead for Switzerland-based machinery manufacturer Rieter in China, Li Qian.
“This edition has met our expectations and there have been many visitors and more international buyers," she added. "This year, we are promoting the [use of our machines to make yarns from] recycled and green fibres, such as lyocell, for our downstream partners. Sustainability has gained traction in China in the wake of the government’s 14th five-year plan and we are focused on [helping partners to] meet these targets.”
The autumn edition of Intertextile Apparel will take place from August 28 to 30 and will once again be held inside Shanghai’s National Exhibition and Convention Center.
A look inside Chinese fibre manufacturer Sateri’s booth during this spring's Yarn Expo.
Credit: Messe Frankfurt (HK).
