Abundant business opportunities for global textile players at next spring’s Intertextile Apparel

Once again, the global apparel flagship is ready to welcome the entire textile value chain to the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), to showcase innovation, engage in trade, and discover up-to-date fashion trends and market insights. Following the success of this year’s spring show, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition is set to take place from 6 – 8 March 2024, with China’s textile industry in a state of growth. Many times over, the fair has proven to be a leading platform for exhibitors to spark new business opportunities in growing markets and for buyers to source effectively. The value-added fringe programme running concurrently with the fair will help guide fairgoers towards informed, cross-border business connections.

The recent 2023 autumn fair attracted 95,000 trade buyers from 117 countries and regions and nearly 4,000 exhibitors from 27 countries and regions. With the overwhelming visitor flow, and positive feedback from exhibitors and buyers alike, it is no surprise that the organisers are optimistic about next year’s show. Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said: “The fair has far-reaching influence and, running concurrently with four other industry trade fairs, is an exceptional platform for practitioners from across the textile and apparel spectrum to gather and do business. It is the place where new innovations are commonly unveiled, and where forthcoming fashion is decided. Following recent positive market forecasts, we are even more eager to welcome industry players on site again and bring further opportunities to them.”

The fair is set to welcome visitors from all over the world, representing some of its largest textile markets. Due to the ever-increasing demand from the fashion industry, the meteoric rise of e-commerce platforms, and a steady global retail recovery, the USD 1.7 trillion textile market is expected to record strong CAGR of 7.6% from 2023-2030.

Many participants appreciate the fair as a platform that facilitates some of their most important business interactions. Between meetings at this year’s fair, Ms Abbey Yu, Manager of Sales & Marketing Dept. at Framis Italia, commented: “We have exhibited at Intertextile Apparel for more than ten years. The good feedback we have received at each edition makes us return consistently. The wide reach of professional buyers here is very in line with our product applications.”

Buyers attracted to fair’s wide range of apparel sourcing
Mr Edmundo Velazo, Supply Chain Manager Sr. at Telas Lúa, was impressed with the products on show: “It is my first time sourcing at this fair. My favourite part is the abundance of new and interesting suppliers to meet. I have achieved my business goals, as I managed to find new fabric suppliers, and to learn about new trends and products that we can offer to our customers in Mexico. I will definitely return, as I always need to look for innovation and Intertextile Apparel suits all of my needs.”

To ensure exhibitors meet their target buyers and to facilitate buyers’ sourcing in Spring, domestic halls will be allocated by product end-use, while many international exhibitors will showcase in specialised zones. These include Accessories Vision, All About Sustainability, Beyond Denim, Functional Lab, Premium Wool Zone, SalonEurope, and Verve for Design. In addition to these areas, country and region pavilions featuring some of the industry’s leading international mills will showcase their latest innovative fabrics and services. They include Hong Kong China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan China.

At every edition, Intertextile Apparel offers more than its core function as a sourcing platform for fabrics and accessories via its insightful fringe programme. Fairgoers can discover Spring / Summer 2025 trends at the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum, conceptualised and created by fashion forecasting experts. Meanwhile, the latest market insights, product innovations, and more will be presented by prominent industry players at various seminars and forums. Topics include Design and Trends, Market Information and Business Strategies, Sustainability Issues, and Technology and Solutions.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2024 will take place alongside Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition, Yarn Expo Spring, CHIC and PH Value from 6 – 8 March at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). The fair is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre.