Focus China

China`s fast economic recovery is an opportunity for exporters

Asian Development Bank (ADB) says that Asia and especially China contributed very positively to the worldwide recovery. Bottom of the recession has been left in the first Quarter 2009 in Asia. Overall the Asian Development Bank is raising the growth expectation (gross domestic product) for 2009 from 3,4 % to 3,9 % for Asia.

Chinese national emblem

Still exceptional high growth rates of Chinese economy
The Chinese economy grew in the first half of 2009 by 7,1 % - in real terms (constant prices). ADB expects for the whole year 2009 an increase of 8,2 % after 9,0 % in 2008. The growth rates for the future will be less high than in the past, however an expectation of 8,9 % real GDP growth for 2010 is remarkably high compared to growth rates in the other large economies of the world. 

Chinese furniture retail expenditure increased by 28%
According to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics, the national total retail sales of consumer goods in the first half increased by 15%. Furniture retail sales for example increased by 28.3%! Retail sales throughout the crisis are reported to grow in stability in the 2tier cities and regions, whereas 1tier cities saw a decline and subsequent growth. 

China as import market
Thus China is giving numerous opportunities to develop business and is becoming a more and more attractive market for exporters worldwide. Subsequently the trade shows are increasingly important to supply the internal chinese market and there are numerous products, which chinese companies are importing to sell to domestic companies and consumers.
TE 12.10.2009

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles - Interview with Director, Trade Fairs Ms Wendy Wen

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles will open its doors from August 24th to August 26th in Shanghai, SNIEC.The event is increasing rapidly in importance, because of China`s excellent economic performance, which nurtures the buying power of the home market. But also as a sourcing event the show increases strength for example by targeted matchmaking programs with companies liket Target, IkEA and others.

We spoke with Wendy Wan, Messe Frankfurts Director Trade Fairs in Shanghai about Intertextile Shanghai Home Textile.

Wendy Wen, Director Trade Fairs Shanghai

Expoport: What kind of exhibitors will the buyers expect? You have an extended international exhibitor presence. What will these companies exhibit?

Ms. Wen: This year, we are pleased to welcome over 1,000 suppliers from 24 countries and regions to showcase their home textile products at the fair. Among them, 240 exhibitors are international suppliers. They include country and regional pavilions from Pakistan, Portugal, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey. With vast amount of curtain products exhibiting, Turkey will form the biggest pavilion at the show. On the domestic side, Chinese suppliers from important manufacturing bases will be grouped in 7 pavilions.
 
Other show highlights include:
A New European Zone
A special area to highlight luxurious from European countries including Marutx and Rafael Catala from Spain supplying upholstery products; Eisenkolb from the Netherlands and Aznar from Spain supplying curtain products; plus more companies from Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Italy and Sweden.

The first lifestyle products and wall coverings zone
This new product zone will highlight renowned suppliers from China. Products include decorative lighting, ceramic and glass house wares, decorative paintings, mirrors and frames, textile made and other home décor plus wall covering products and accessories.

Brand bedding and towelling hall
With positive feedbacks in 2009 fair, this zone will once again gather renowned international and Chinese brands such as Wood Wedge from the UK, Kuan’s Living from Italy, Menglan, Sunvim, Veken and Yuyue from China.

More product zones will be clearly signposted at the fair including the down products zone in Hall W3 and the non-textile related home textile products zone in Hall E6.

As the Chinese market demand more sophisticated design home textile products, the show also attracts designers from around the world to attend every year. This year, the show will have a special Designer’s Studio to present extensive range of home textile design concepts. This special area will gather 23 home fashion designers from France, Italy, Japan, Korea and UK to present the best designs, prints and patterns at their country. 

©2010 Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.

Expoport: Tell us more about the matchmaking program at the show, please?

Ms. Wen: Exhibition is not just a meeting place for both suppliers and buyers. It is also a tool to create business opportunities for the attendees.  As a professional trade fair organiser, we have been organising the pres-show business matching programmes since three years ago and has helped international key retailers and brands such as Marks and Spencer, CK Home to source suitable suppliers at the show. To continue the same concept, this year we have invited Target from the US, IKEA from Sweden, VIP buyer delegation from USA and senior representatives from China’s department stores to join these programmes.

Expoport: What do you expect as design directions presented at the show?

Ms. Wen: As we have exhibitors coming from all over the world, we will expect that there will be a mix of eastern and western home textile design. In fact, this is what we intended to promote at the show. To further illustrate the essence of interior design from these two cultures, a series of design and trend events are set up at the fair.

The international and China’s home textiles and interior trend forums
World renowned trend forecasters from Italy, China and the US will direct the trend zone, providing attendees with new inspirations for their 2011/2012 collections with exhibitors’ fabrics and home products. Leading trend forecasters from Paris, Milan, New York and Hong Kong will give detail presentations on 2011/2012 interior trends at the designs and trends seminars on-site.

A Cultural Heritage Zone
This special zone will present the traditional Chinese, European and Southeast Asian textile weaving patterns and techniques, demonstrating the synergy effects of eastern and western traditional textile cultures.

Expoport: Where do you see the role of Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles for the development of the market?

Ms. Wen: Under the umbrella of world renowned home textile event – Heimtextil, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles trade fair has contributed invaluably to the growth of the home textiles industry through the strong partnership with Chinese trade associations The Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT and China Home Textile Association. Today, we are proud to say that the show has developed into the leading home textile trade fair in Asia and the second largest in the world, right after Heimtextil Frankfurt. To offer more targeted business opportunities in China, we will organise a new spring edition of Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles in China. Further details of the new show will be announced at the coming August fair.

Profile of Intertextile Shanghai Home Textile