14,038 visitors during the 4 days of Texworld marking – as compared to the show in February 2009 – a rise of 6% in terms of real visitors and 2.2% in terms of visitor traffic. This show saw a strong comeback by the Americans (+ 24%) who had been conspicuously absent from the Paris shows in recent times; similarly, good progress with the Australians (+ 29%) and Asians (+ 9%). Where Europeans are concerned, there was an abundance of visitors from Scandinavian countries, but there was less evidence of the Germans, Spanish and Greek (the absence of both the latter can be explained by the difficulties of their national economies). Texworld is experiencing sound growth in the numbers of French visitors (+6%), which are increasing with each show.

The décor and the new visual identity of the exhibition have been much appreciated by exhibitors and visitors, who found the surroundings pleasant, getting around easier and the services offered at the exhibition (like: i-tex, wifi, information tools, shuttle buses...) highly efficient.

Overall exhibitor satisfaction

Despite an international economic situation that is still weak the overall atmosphere was encouraging for business. Many stands were never empty and plenty of business was concluded at the exhibition. “This has been our best show since first taking part in Texworld,” said Vivek Sood, Textile Manager at Apacinti, with satisfaction. “Between the firm orders taken and the contacts we established we are very content with the exhibition. We will definitely be attending in September”.

And the overall satisfaction of exhibitors testifies to the importance of the show on the European market. There have been improvements in the quality offered by exhibitors that is now more in line with western fashion, and buyers have been attracted by the unrivalled value and creativity for the price and the upmarket products that are increasingly presented.

With Texworld’s tradition of being an exhibition where the range on offer corresponds exactly with demand, the products presented by exhibitors have been adapted to the European markets and to the changes in them. Evidence of this lies in the numerous companies that have a research & development department in order to “respond to special requirements, different to our textile traditions. Always challenging ourselves to better satisfy our customers’ demands, and sometimes even to anticipate their wishes” says Ayush Murarka, chairman and managing director of Ventures, an Indian silk producer specialising in the high-end market.

The exhibition has always been successful for accessory manufacturers whose stands welcomed a great many visitors during the entire exhibition. Petr Bartusek, one of the partners in Styl VD, a Czech company specialising in fancy, high quality buttons for the last 60 years, states that “this was our best show since our first attendance in 2002. We were able to meet up with our regular customers but we were also able to forge new and important ties for development of our activities on an international level”.

Several countries grouped a number of their exhibitors with features in common under one pavilion: like the HKTDC - the Hong Kong Trade Development Council - combining 8 exhibitors, to include 2 Aadmix and Apro International with a strongly ecological orientation, who claimed to be “very satisfied with their participation and the orders placed, especially in regards to clothing production or manufacture with recycled materials” remarked Jessica Lee, Marketing Manager at HKTDC

At the Mauritian Pavilion buyers were particularly on the look-out for denim, knits and fair trade cotton “Laura Ashley, among others” to quote Rt Knits.

The FCK – Fashion Center Korea – on the occasion of its initial attendance allowed western fashion to discover traditional Korean patterns that had been given a fresh interpretation.

The Fabrics China Creation Pavilion, which assembled 12 complementary companies with regard to their products, aimed to promote the development of its exhibitors that specialise in offering upmarket lines, in terms of both creativity and quality. All these firms are equipped with research & development departments and they do not hesitate to call on European designers in order to better respond to the expectations of a discerning western customer base, which is always on the look-out for innovative, sophisticated and easy-to-wear fashion. “Our attendance at Texworld is dictated by a wish to open up European markets to our members, to prevent their business becoming totally dependent on the American market and its uncertainties”, explains Gérard Plutta, a consultant for the association.

Among the international exhibitors we noted the presence of some Europeans whose stands were always well visited. Thus, for Jacques Lefebre, Export Manager at the Dutch company Nooteboom Textiel, the exhibition was “very good. We also have a policy of selling by the metre which allows us to meet requirements that at times other companies do not satisfy“.