Retail in Asia

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HK Fashion Week attacts 17,000 buyers from 76 countries

The 20th Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer attracted over 17,000 buyers from 76 countries and regions, up 3 percent over the previous year.

Attendance from many markets also recorded significant growth, including Canada (up 46 percent), India (up 18 percent), the Philippines (up 22 percent), Singapore (up 12 percent), Taiwan (up 24 percent) and Thailand (up 22 percent).

"With the expansion of the middle class and retail channels in emerging markets, consumers are increasingly looking for what’s in vogue, and they demand high quality fashion," said HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau.

To create more business opportunities, HKTDC organised 88 overseas buying missions – with close to 5,000 buyers – to come to the fair. Among them were representatives from renowned brands, large-scale chain stores and distributors. From the emerging markets there were Brazil’s Cavalera, the Chinese mainland’s VANCL, Poland’s Top Secret, Russia’s Ledi Sharm, South Africa’s Truworths Limited, UAE’s Namshi.com, and Vietnam’s CT Retail, etc.

Responding to market demand, a Small-Order Zone was set up at the Expo Drive entrance. Close to 150 showcases and garment racks displayed fine fashion products and accessories available for order in small quantities, with the MOQ ranging from 20 to 1,000.

Hong Kong exhibitor X Zero Limited was attending the fair for the first time. Its Brand Manager Kammy Law said they had received almost 50 buyer enquiries on the first day, from markets including the Chinese mainland, Singapore and Malaysia. Some even placed orders right away.

Law said that her company used to export mainly to European and the US markets, but with the poor economic conditions in recent years, the frequency and quantity of orders from these markets have continued to decline.

“The Chinese mainland economy is booming, and so is the country’s consumption power. Customers often care little about the price, and that presents enormous potentials," Law said.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese exhibitor Hoya Knitwear Factory, a women’s knitwear manufacturer, said they received orders from the Chinese mainland, Japan, Korea, Turkey, on the first day of the fair. Vivian Yin, Hoya’s owner and designer, said she expected total orders generated from the fair to amount to USD600,000.

Brazilian buyer Alberto Hiar said his company, Cavalera, operates 30 shops in Brazil and supplies garments to over 800 retailers. The company had placed a total of approximately USD1.3 million worth of orders at Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer last year and the Fall/Winter edition this year. Hiar said that since they started sourcing from Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer last year, their sales have increased 30 percent as the products are highly popular with Brazilian consumers.