The second edition of ‘Tex Trends’, the complete showcase for the textile supply chain including garments and accessories, fabrics, home furnishings & made-ups, handicrafts, jute and carpets, is all set for action. The inaugural edition last year was a grand success with 734 participants from different segments showcasing to 1580 foreign buyers and 872 buying offices, generating orders worth $ 185 million. Confident of a repeat performance, V. Srinivas, Joint Secretary (Exports), Ministry of Textiles is personally interacting with the 11 textile associations involved in putting the event together and supervising day-to-day preparations for a bigger and better show this edition.
The fair has been positioned like the Canton Fair in China with the aim to give buyers complete product range from the diverse offerings that India has in different corners of the country as well as from both the organized sector and the unorganized handicraft and handloom industry. With AEPC as lead Council, the event is expected to see over 1000 exhibitors display their latest collections targeted at the international market. The apparel segment of the fair is a complete sellout with more than 250 exporters already registered for the show. “Despite all the talk of recession, the fair is generating great interest as we expect buyers to place orders at the show because most of them have not yet ordered for summer and would use this opportunity to buy close to the season,” reasons Lalit Thukral, Convener, Tex Trends.
He adds that many buyers have actually called to ask if they would be able to see and order collections directed at S/S 12. Indeed, the fair is rightly positioned and since Indian exporters are very strong in summer wear, buyers from across the world will be able to see latest collections for the summer season 2012 and place ready orders. Many of the exhibitors have the capacity to deliver goods in 30-45 days for immediate buying. For exporters also, some of whom have had a very difficult year, the opportunity to connect with both old and new buyers is a bonanza.
The promotion of the fair has been very aggressive and the response to the various promotional activities that include eblasts, tele-calling, Google campaign, through Chamber of Commerce and appointment of PR agencies in various countries, has been very positive. Already, 800 foreign buyers and 440 buying agencies have confirmed their participation. These buyers include many big chain stores who have little or no presence in India. “It is not only important to have footfalls, but it is even more important to have the right type of buyers who will generate business,” argues Thukral. There is also business opportunity for buying agencies as many new buyers also like to meet perspective agencies to set up offices in India.
Some of the important buyers with huge buying potential that have confirmed visitation include Tricot from Chile (US $ 200 million business), Group Disco from Uruguay (US $ 65 million – apparel business), Ann Taylor Loft from USA (US $ 2 billion business), Euro Diff from France (US $ 50 million business), Melon Fashion Group from Russia (US $ 57 million business), JB Korea Company Limited from Korea (US $ 17 million business), Tatsuno from Japan (US $ 170 million business), Spirit Group Srl. from Argentina (US $ 12 million business), Cape Union Mart from South Africa (US $ 200 million business) and a 10-member delegation of Japan which comprises of a total worth $ 8 billion business potential. Among the major attractions is Group Beaumanoir of France, which bought garments worth $ 13 million in 2011 and is now looking to establish its buying office in India. The Group President of this $ 1.2 billion turnover company, Luc Mory will be present at the event.
The fair will also see some focused seminars on current concerns, the most important of which is the fluctuating currency. “Many exporters are suffering as they are unaware of the options available to them to hedge their risk, so we have invited the National Stock Exchange and Master Trust to talk to the exporters,” says Thukral. With the changing dynamics of international business, exporters can no longer work with the same mindset that they were earlier working with and in this context the session on hedging currency risk is of utmost importance and very timely. Another attraction at the event is the daily fashion shows where 15 participants will display their design capabilities.
