Apparelsourcing Paris is asserting its role as a major platform for European sourcing in terms of the diversity of exhibitors and the range of products offered. With one month to go before the doors open, the show is recording an increase of almost 15% in exhibition space compared with the same period last year.
You will find both, firms which participated in the exhibition in previous years and new exhibitors who come from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Hong- Kong, India, Pakistan and Tunisia. The organisers are doing their utmost to improve and diversify the lines of products offered in order to make buying easier for companies in terms of quality, competitiveness and geographic mobility.
“We are working closely with Messe Frankfurt’s offices in the main countries for sourcing and with organisations for export assistance in addition ring companies are encouraged to come to Paris. Last September, three Pakistani companies came to Paris, augmenting the ranges offered at the exhibition thanks to the support of CBI - a Dutch organisation that helps to promote exports from developing countries to Europe. CBI will attend this show with new exhibitors from Mediterranean countries,” explains Michael Scherpe, President of Messe Frankfurt France.
Shirting - experiencing significant growth
Current market conditions and the economy benefit the market for shirts. Firstly, the expansion in the market for menswear is demonstrated by vigorous growth and the number of specialist firms that sell online as well as openings of shops dedicated solely to shirts. Secondly, the economic climate favours the sector. It is true that in difficult times end consumers tend to buy smaller, practical items of clothing like shirts to pep up their wardrobe. They are popular with men and are among the garments most purchased across all distribution channels.
From the outset, Apparelsourcing Paris offered an interesting range of products with manufacturers from Belgium, Turkey and China, boosted since then by the addition of new firms. Demand is increasing steadily as Frans Bourgeois from the Belgian company Mabo Fashion emphasises.
They have attended ApparelSourcing Paris since it was launched: “The growth in sales has been around 45% over the last two years. Companies rely on shirts as an essential item of clothing, easy to sell and to update stocks with. “Fast delivery, flexibility and above all creativity: nowadays these are the important points for buyers. For example, launching our trendier collection played a considerable part in our success with international buyers!”
In order to respond to this demand, Apparelsourcing which is always quick to react to changing trends in the market is expanding its range with new exhibitors from Turkey and Tunisia. Their full-service package or their product development coupled with logistics services (rapid delivery, flexibility) should satisfy those who develop products.
“We have noticed that in this period of challenging economic conditions, buyers prefer to count on quality. We are selling more premium-quality shirts than in previous years”. Buyers no longer take the risk of ordering an entire collection by sourcing from far-off countries. Many want to concentrate on articles that sell well during the season. When it comes to replenishing stocks, our geographical situation and our responsiveness are great advantages!
Apparelsourcing Paris is the ideal platform to develop and expand our customer base”, underlines Frans Bourgeois from Mabo Fashion. Firms are offering collections that offer a wealth of designs and styles, from the ultra-classic to the very imaginative; they cover all types of lines. Shirts are available in a range of fabrics, even if cotton does still predominate.
