Texworld group of shows in Paris reported a buzzing season of intense activity and record attendance

Messe Frankfurt Paris

Messe Frankfurt, organisers of the Texworld and Apparel Sourcing group of shows in Paris, held under the banner of “Fairyland for Fashion”, reported a new record high for attendance, registering 13,929 visitors at this season’s show held February 11 – 14, a 2.35% increase over the February 2018 figures.

Messe Frankfurt Paris

The group of shows held at Le Bourget, Paris twice a year encompass Apparel Sourcing Paris, Avantex Paris, Leatherworld Paris, Shawls&Scarves Paris, Texworld Paris and Texworld Denim Paris.

Europe saw an increase in visitors of almost 2% totally this session, with the highest number from French trade visitors, up 7% as in February 2018.  The second largest group was from Spain, disbanding the UK (due to impact of Brexit) to third place and Turkey to fourth place, followed by Italy at 5th position where attendance growth was stable and posted the strongest growth, up by almost 12%.

Other European countries posting healthy attendance included the Netherlands (up 11%), as well as Poland (+5%), Belarus (+14%), and Bulgaria (+10%).   Ireland and Greece also registered growth in attendance, up 7% et 8% respectively.  Organisers emphasised that Portugal also stood out with an increase of 44%, “which attests to the rise in this country’s capacity in clothing production.”

Elsewhere, from the Americas, the organisers also saw high growth in visitor numbers.  From Brazil, attendance went up 22%, followed by the USA up 20%, Colombia up 9% and Canada up 6%.
As for Asia, the overall growth in attendance was 14%, and in particular from India it went up 13%, South Korea up 6% and Japanese visitors went up 30.

“Business got going extremely quickly. Buyers were intent on determining how feasible their projects were and on getting in first when it came to exclusives,” said Michael Scherpe, President of Messe Frankfurt France.

Messe Frankfurt

Mr Scherpe continued: “From the very outset we were focussed on what is central to our work: trade talk and business. The atmosphere remained very vibrant throughout. Prime contractors attended the shows in the first place for work and to satisfy their curiosity. I am delighted to see the full effects of our strategy – encouraging contact with the materials, the skills and the people who offer them. It is an approach that I want to keep pursuing.”

Highlights of the fairs included shining a spotlight on environmentally friendly materials and sustainable developments, along with a series of lectures and presentations.

Dates for the next Messe Frankfurt France shows will be from 16 to 19 September 2019 at Le Bourget in Paris.

All photos from  Messe Frankfurt Paris.