The 56th IIGF was a very slow affair this year with very few buyers turning up at the fair grounds for the three-day event though the organizers claimed that 800-plus buyers from across the globe were expected to visit. The general response among most of the participants was ‘disappointment’. Many of the exporters blamed the bad timing of the fair as the reason for poor footfall. They stated that holding the fair twice a year serves no purpose, particularly the one in January, which is an A/W show, a season that is not the strength of India.
Most of the exhibitors who have been taking part at this event for years were of the opinion that the fair was never as dull as it was this year. One of the biggest reasons for this was the collision of dates with the world’s second largest and one of Asia’s largest fashion events, organized by the HKTDC, the Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter, held at the HKCEC from January 18 to 21. Another big show ‘Who’s Next’, Paris, held from January 22 to 25, is also very similar to the IIGF and most of the international buyers preferred these two fairs rather than IIGF at this time of the year.
However, even in the dull scenario there were few garment exporters who expressed satisfaction at the enquiries they received, and Apparel Online also managed to meet a few buyers who said that though the fair had far less participants this time as compared to their expectations, yet they did find some interesting products. It is good to know that these buyers are reasonably happy with the Indian products, suppliers and their way of working, also most of them are enthusiastic about growth in the coming months. Greater flexibility and more knowledge about the global market and business practises are two important suggestions made by the buyers to get more orders.
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Varvara Belova (L), Head of menswear department and Trofimova Yana, Buyer, Befree brand (Melon Fashion Group), Russia
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Profile: 600 stores in Russia and Ukraine, three brands – ‘Zarina’, ‘Love Republic’ and ‘Befree’.
Looking for: Menswear – shirts, tees.
Sourcing from India: In Spring/Summer 70 per cent (last season) of products come from India and in Autumn/Winter 30 per cent.
What do you like about Indian suppliers/Indian products: In shirts and tees, quality is fine and some interesting styles can be seen, like exporters are using mélanges, garment dyed and other types of techniques.
Growth: Last year we grew 22 per cent and this year we expect 15 per cent.
Any suggestion: Indian exporters should be more flexible when client asks for some specific goods; exporters must also come up with more ideas, suggestions for product improvement.
Comment on fair: Small fair as we are used to visiting the Canton Fair, China.
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Nancy Mendele, Senior Buyer, Apparel and Footwear Catalog Classics, Universal Direct Fulfillment Corp., Hudson (US)
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Profile: Catalogue and online retailer.
Looking for: Ladies apparels and accessories.
Sourcing from India: Our direct sourcing from India is less than 10 per cent, but overall we are buying 70 per cent of Indian products. We also source from US-based companies and importers that directly source from India.
What do you like about Indian suppliers/Indian products: I found some exporters who were very professional and it is easy to deal with them.
Growth: Business is good and we are expecting double digit growth and are happy with this growth.
Suggestion: Indian exporters should know more and more about US business practices; it will help them to deliver better.
Comment on fair: We found a lot of new vendors at the fair, offering good variety of products at a descent price level; and appropriate products for my business.
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Mona K. Gyllenhammar, Manager, Peter Korseth AS, Norway
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Profile: Agent and associated with most of the buyers in Norway.
Looking for: Mainly ladies garments, but some kids and menswear also.
Sourcing from India: Not sourcing much from India, as most of our sourcing is from China and I see some buyers who are little reluctant to source from India, reasons are not known to me.
What’s new: Starting sourcing of all kinds of bags which is a new product category.
Growth: Business is just okay and I don’t see much of growth in this year also.
Comment on fair: Interestingly, I met a rainwear manufacturer; overall most of the exhibitors are having same kind of collections.
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Gail Botha, Frock N Roll,
South Africa
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Profile: Wholesaler and associated with more than 35 stores.
Looking for: Importing fabric and recently started ladies garment (dresses and tunics).
Sourcing from India: Initially we will source about 3,000 pieces per company, as we have limited sales, but later it will increase.
What about pricing: I am happy with pricing.
Growth: Our currency has gone down. Business is a bit tight.
Comment on fair: This is my first visit to this show and I found some fantastic collections.
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Marina, Owner/Designer, Rosarito, Argentina
Profile: 15 shops and used to sell women accessories (multi brands). Sometimes we source more in collaboration with other companies of Argentina.
Sourcing from India: Summer garments, we like the styles and cotton fabric. We are sourcing from India for the last 8 years through other importers and now sourcing directly from manufacturers. We will increase our sourcing from India. I am sourcing from Pushkar, Jaipur and Delhi. Pure white dresses with embroidery and multi-colour dresses are impressive.
Growth: Last year was good for us, current year should be better from the previous one.
