Like every year, Japan will witness two important sourcing fairs – 36th India Garment Fair and 26th India Home Furnishings Fair, Osaka, (Japan) by India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) and JFW International Fashion Fair (JFW-IFF) by Senken Shimbun Co. Ltd./ICS Convention Design, Inc. in Tokyo, clashing on the same dates, July 22-24. To a large extent these fairs decide the whole coming season for exporters working in the Japanese market. In our last issue (AO July 1-15), under our World Wrap segment, it was highlighted how Tokyo is one of the hottest retail destinations today. But as far as Indian exporters are concerned, many feel that the market is slow and will take at least another six months to pick up pace. Between mixed opinions, Indian exporters participating in these two fairs are gearing up with new developments. Apparel Online discussed with them their expectations and preparations.
Whereas the Osaka fair is concerned, its last edition had 128 participants from India while this year it has only 100 partakers (till July 7th) which give us an indication that participants or exporters catering to Japan are not too enthusiastic of the market. Regular exhibitors, who go each year also, expressed that they too don’t have high expectations from the event. “Whatever feedback we have got from our buyers indicates that the market is still slow, but yet we are participating with a hope to get one or two new buyers apart from meeting with the regular ones. Overall not too much order bookings is expected,” says Rajesh Surana, Director, Sabnam Exports, Mumbai. The company is working with the Japanese market for almost two decades and participating regularly at the Osaka fair where comparatively big buyers are expected. Currency fluctuation and weak economy are also the reasons why fewer orders are anticipated from Japan. Vineet Kumar Sadh of Ellora Enterprises, Noida and many other regulars are not participating this time due to slow market.
Though Japan is having a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India from the last 4 years, but on ground level India’s share has not increased into the Japanese apparel market.
Another reason that is de-motivating the Indian exporters from participating at these fairs are the high participation charges, and many exporters having Japan as their focused market are not participating just because of this reason. “A normal booth, travel and allied expenditures cost at least Rs. 6-7 lakh which does not seem the right investment as of now looking at market conditions and small order size,” says Ashish Jain, Director, Swami Textiles, Ludhiana. Many other exporters have the same opinion.
Jaipur is a city where many exporters are working with Japan and few of them are totally based with Japanese buyers; some of them are a little positive and are expecting more orders in coming season. Doing Japan from 1993, Mohit Gartex is participating with some hope, as Ashok Kumar Chippa, Director of the company says, “Yes, market is slow but buyers are asking for samples, so we can hope that in the next few months there will be some good orders.” Wholesalers will be first priority in the fair.
Another player from Jaipur, Jahota Craft claims its product development is totally dedicated to Japanese market, so it has continuous orders, and regular business is expected in the future also. “Though we are working at small level but due to our focused approach on Product Development we have not seen any impact on orders from Japan,” says Bhagwan Sahay Chippa, Proprietor of the company. Rupam, a Mumbai based export house is also hopeful to get some orders and is participating for the third time at the fair.
Most of the participants accepted that they have used embroidery very well in their collections which they will display in the fair. Jahota Craft is sure that machine embroidery, which was earlier also in demand will attract the buyers this time also, especially floral designs. Sabnam Exports offering ladies tops is majorly into knits but this time has prepared a mix & match collection with the use of woven fabric also. It has also used embroidery and handwork, burnout look is prominent in its collection. Mohit Gartex is using one of the top Mumbai-based varieties of velvet fabric and khadi with a mix collection rather than focusing on particular product.
