Tailor-made to accommodate China’s Spring sourcing season, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition ended last week on a positive note with 279 exhibitors and 10,304 buyers, 27% and 6% increases respectively as compared with last year's figures. A majority of the suppliers displayed their seasonal curtains and upholstery fabrics collection from 29 February to 2 March 2012 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre.

“The overall mood has been optimistic, reassuring us that we made the right decision by adding the extra Spring edition,” said Ms Wendy Wen, Director Trade Fairs for Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, the fair’s organiser. She added: “We’re pleased to know that industry professionals trust the Intertextile brand and continue to take part in all of our China trade fairs.”

Mr William Wang, a local buyer representing Cosmos International Trade Co Ltd agreed with Ms Wen. “March is a great sourcing period for us to prepare our upcoming collection.” He added: “It’s a convenient time and location to source quality upholstery fabrics from China.”

Exhibitors were equally impressed with the additional fair date. “We have been participating in the Autumn edition for years,” commented Mr Zhao Tong Yong, Sales Manager for Hightex Co Ltd, a local curtain and home furnishing fabrics supplier. He further noted: “So it was a logical business decision to also take part in the Spring fair to connect with seasonal Chinese buyers.”

Many of the exhibitors and visitors surveyed were found to have participated in both Spring and Autumn editions of Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles.

“We produce two collections every year and always promote them at the Autumn fair. Now with the Spring fair, we can introduce our latest collection earlier in the market,” said Mr Zhao Zheng Zhong, Marketing Director for Wellcomma, a leading curtain and upholstery fabrics supplier from China, showcasing its new Spring / Summer curtain fabrics made with soft and light materials.

Second show date praised for catering to a growing Spring sourcing season

Domestic suppliers also provided new seasonal collections specifically for the domestic consumer market. “Apart from displaying our new 2012/ 2013 curtain and upholstery collection, we also act as agents for Spanish upholstery brand Castilla Textil, “said Mr Winston Ho, Sales Director for Zhejiang Hanboo Home Textile Co Ltd. He further commented: “Nowadays Chinese consumers want quality living space, imported home brands and products that can guarantee consumers with better design and quality, which ultimately help us in maintaining a competitive edge in the domestic marketplace.”

Buyer Ms Chen Juan Li, Sourcing Manager for Shanghai Uart Home Deco Ltd from China also found the added Spring fair date very useful. “I am here to look for new curtain and decorative fabrics for our new collection and Spring is the best sourcing time.”

Debut seminar programme declared a success

The first ever seminar programme was held on the first day of the fair, providing the latest innovations in sustainable development and quality improvement.

“This has been an effective platform for us to introduce consumer safety, environmental protection and energy saving solutions to Chinese industry buyers,” said Mr Alex Tai, Senior Manager, Marketing Textile Chemicals East Asia for BASF (China) Company Ltd, one of the seminar speakers.

More than 100 delegates across China took part in the debut programme. “Sustainable development is still at its infant stage in China, so it’s important for us to learn more from international experts, “said Ms Deng Qiong, Vice President for Sichuan Beaupy Silk Group Company.

In addition to a wide range of products, China Home Textiles Trends Research and Extension Atelier displayed a unique interactive Trend Area forecasting upcoming home textiles and colour trends. “It’s been very inspiring for me to see how I can mix Chinese and Western trends with my designs, it’s a great tool for designers,” said Ms Tracy Chen, Interior Furnishing Decoration Product Design Director for Chongqing Yava Aristocratic Family Co Ltd from China.

Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s leading trade fair organiser, with 457* million euros in sales and more than 1,769* active employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events “made by Messe Frankfurt” take place at more than 30 locations around the globe.