57th India International Garment Fair: Spring/Summer 2017 collections attract buyers

Most of the buyers, many of whom are regular visitors seemed satisfied with the displayed products though many did suggest that Indian apparel exporters need to work more on product development and cost competitiveness. Kathreyn of Guru, Canada and a regular visitor to the IIGF, said that exporters need to be truly committed when it comes to delivery time as she has experienced delays in recent years. Many of the new buyers at the event were spending time exploring the displays and few even expressed disappointments that the men’s section was very small and for buyers looking into that area could not find much.

Another Canadian buyer, Inder Pal Singh of I & K Imports Inc, a wholesaler sourcing mainly ladies garments worth US $ 3,00,000 from India and working with 4 vendors also expressed the need for wider vendor base. “I feel the fair should have more and more exhibitors, especially big exporters. This will attract more buyers and enhance the reputation of the event,” he said. For the first time a delegation from Iran was visiting the fair and members showed interest in the garments, especially high-end ladies wear with embroidery. While the American buyers were looking for new concepts, most of the European buyers and especially the UK buyers were more concerned about price.

57th IIGF was inaugurated by Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for Textiles, Government of India, who stressed that events like these give a boost to the ‘Make in India’ programme as the platform encourages smaller players to exhibit their products which meet international quality and technology standards.

In an effort to invite new buyers by the organisers many regular visitors were not extended air tickets due to which they preferred to stay away. Vishal Dublish from Silver Line Export was one exporter who was very disappointed as few of his buyers could not make it to the show. “Many of the exporters come here as it is a meeting ground where we can show the latest collections to our buyers and get orders. While regular buyers place orders, new buyers take time in deciding upon new vendors,” he argued.

After a slow respone in the last few editions of IIGF, the exhibitors seemed more content this time; and though few disclosed order placements, most did admit that the overall quality of buyers was better than previous fairs and many of the buyers were keen to place orders after negotiations. ‘Price’ again was a challenge and many negotiations, mostly with new buyers fell through because of cost constraints. “We have business as of now, but getting new orders is becoming difficult as buyers are facing tough market conditions in their countries and expect us to squeeze our margins to accommodate them, but how much more can we squeeze,” questions Uday Sehgal, Director Mariko.

Held twice a year, the IIGF has become a major sourcing event for small and medium exporters with many boutique and wholesalers/importers frequenting the event. This edition was very significant as exporters riding on the wave of the new textile package were very keen to interact with buyers and promote business. The positive outlook in the approach of exporters was visible in the swelling numbers that participated. While the January edition witnessed 322 exhibitors, this time the show had 416 exhibitors.

The recently concluded 57th India International Garment Fair (IIGF) in New Delhi, organized by AEPC (Apparel Export Promotion Council), which saw 416 exhibitors display apparels and accessories for the S/S ’17 collections, was visited by 1,500 international buyers from countries like the US, UK, Iran, Israel, Canada and Mexico, besides visitation from around 1,000 local buying agents. Though the event is dominated by womenswear, few booths with kidswear, menswear, accessories and footwear were also present at the show. Prints, crochet work, lace details and acid wash on cotton garments were seen at many stalls.

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