Such fairs are a must for industry to showcase new innovations
The ministry of textiles organised Textiles India 2017, the first such mega-event,
to give the much-needed boost for the Indian textiles and apparel industry. Fibre2Fashion
caught up with top executives of some companies for their feedback and inputs.
We believe that exhibitors are the real buyers and since we are into yarns and fabrics, this show was like a business to us. We got to know what our competitors are selling and also the needs of the customers. Even if we are not seeking business, we got to make new contacts. People came here from all over the world; so, being a participant was a wonderful thing in itself.
Such fairs are a must for industry to showcase new innovations and capability of the industry to meet worldwide requirements. It is important to have it at the right time. They need to be organised keeping in mind: exhibition locations and dates worldwide; market scenarios / trends of markets to cater to; scenarios of countries of expected visitors; and what products are most likely to be exhibited.
They have wasted exporters’ money. I met three old buyers of mine who have vowed not to come back again. The bathrooms were messy, they had no proper arrangements for food, and there was no proper transport inside. People were asking prices of garments; we were not there to sell. I met a few buyers at my hotel. They were first-time buyers, and they said they will not come back again.
The fair was good; we got good exposure here. We launched our new product on suiting and shirting. We had held on to this collection only to launch it at this fair.
This was a good platform for me to introduce our collection to foreign buyers, especially for the collection of handblock printing, tie and dye and natural fabrics like chiffon, cotton and georgette. Our products like handblock prints, tie and dye were well appreciated by the garment buyers here. They selected few styles for orders and put in queries also. The overall response was good.
This is for the first time that I have participated in an exhibition. This is because I am planning to open exclusive stores in New York, Canada and London and participation in the exhibition has helped me work out total economics of the business including the rental and other recurring expenses. The exhibition is also helping to know the preference of foreign customers.
My personal experience is that foreigners and Indians working as wholesalers abroad are purchasing my products in bulk and are doing business. Visitors liked the clothing items displayed at the stall, especially the winterwears. In winter collection, we are using lot of fabrics like suede and the type of fusion and blends we create which is normally used for jackets abroad.
Published on: 16/09/2017
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
