Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics returned with its Autumn Edition from 23 - 25 September, welcoming over 73,500 visitors, alongside nearly 3,400 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions.

Complementing the physical trade fair, new online platforms and digital solutions were added to the mix of services on offer, enhancing business opportunities amid the international travel disruptions. The combination of onsite and online services worked to further stimulate the industry’s recovery and maintained the fair’s leading global position in the textile apparel market.

Intertextile Apparel running as planned has been another significant step for the industry which has received enthusiastic support from both domestic and overseas participants. Feedback from this edition and the absence of trade fairs earlier in the year has stressed the value and irreplaceability of in-person business interactions, with fairgoers keen to meet with potential buyers and suppliers face-to-face.

Particularly in the textile market, where products should be seen and felt up close, visitors appreciated the chance to comprehensively source for their needs in-person. Meanwhile, exhibitors experienced a strong demand for their products from quality buyers, making up for lost business earlier in the year.

Following the conclusion of the fair, Ms Wendy Wen, Senior General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd acknowledged, “It’s apparent that the industry has greatly appreciated the return of Intertextile Apparel following the Shenzhen edition in July, as it's still recognized as an ideal platform to reconnect with business partners and to allow participants to see and feel products in-person.”

Sourcing efficiency increased thanks to Debut Hybrid Showcase

The debut Hybrid Showcase was well-received by buyers and exhibitors alike. Virtual exhibitors benefitted from fairgoers being able to touch and feel their products displayed onsite, whilst buyers enjoyed the advantages of a wide-ranging and efficient sourcing experience.

Combined with the brand-new online business matching tool – Connect PLUS, which features video calling and instant messaging functions – Intertextile’s digital solutions successfully allowed businesses to stay connected, despite the global travel restrictions.

Over 500 virtual and onsite meetings were arranged during the fair through Connect PLUS and the VIP business matching programme, which connected VIP buyers with suppliers via pre-scheduled Zoom meetings.

Market insights shared at the fringe programme

The fringe programme invited industry leaders to share practices and market insights with the audience through a range of seminars and forums. The Wool Industry and e-Commerce Forum: Upgrading Supply Mode for e-Commerce welcomed speakers from key players in the field such as The Woolmark Company and Tmall.

Meanwhile, the new ‘Fabric to Fashion’ Buyer Forum explored how businesses can develop their supply chains of the future to improve productivity, increase product quality and reduce costs.

What’s more, market changes triggered by the pandemic were also discussed during the Analysis of Current Textile Industry Environment and Emerging Covid-19 Success Story Sharing Forum, to help steer the industry forward and realize the potential of post-pandemic opportunities.

Positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors

“For this edition, our main goal is to promote our brand influence in China as well as to launch our newly developed products to our existing customers. The momentum of visitors has been really strong and we are happy with the number of buyers at our booth,” said Mr Hunter Liu, Senior BD Manager, Dormeuil, France.

“The fair opening as scheduled means a lot for the industry as it’s a crucial platform for textile businesses. Despite the pandemic, many renowned denim suppliers for example are gathered at the fair. Face-to-face interaction is the bread and butter for any business and to be able to be here at the fair, reconnecting with the industry is extremely valuable and important to us,” said Dr Bei Hu, Vice President, Business Management, Greater China, BASF, Germany.

“At the moment, we urgently need to source one kind of functional fabric so I sorted through the exhibitors I wanted to meet on the fair website in advance. I’m very thrilled to have found the breathable fabrics I needed today at the Toray booth in the Hybrid Showcase area,” said Ms Elaine Miao, Asia Pacific Purchasing Manager, Sportboleh Sdn. Bhd, Malaysia.

“I have been working in the apparel industry for nearly 30 years, and have been visiting Intertextile Apparel, both the Spring Edition and the Autumn Edition, on a yearly basis. This platform enables me to meet and communicate with our suppliers,” said Mr Sun Xu, Sourcing Manager, Richland Liaoning International Co Ltd, China.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2020 was held concurrently with Yarn Expo Autumn, CHIC and PH Value from 23 – 25 September at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. The fair is co-organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre.

The next edition of the fair, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition, will again take place alongside Yarn Expo Spring, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition, CHIC and PH Value, from 10 – 12 March 2021, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center.