Survey of the European Fabric Fairs for Spring/Summer 2005

published in Issue 111, May-June 2004   Report price: Euro 275.00; US$ 365.00

Judging by this season?s fabric fairs, the European textile and fashion industry is gearing up for a colourful time in the spring/summer 2005 season. The hope is that the bright and ebullient mood which radiated from the season?s fabric collections will help to revitalise consumer confidence and be reflected in more positive trading conditions.

European fabric manufacturers face a number of difficulties. The decline in textiles and apparel consumption has brought about a severe crisis of overcapacity, particularly for manufacturers catering to the mid-market level. This situation has been made more difficult by imports of relatively cheap fabric, particularly from Asia. Also, the quality of these imports is improving, and Asian fabrics are being marketed more effectively. And the rise of the euro against the US dollar has made it more difficult to export?particularly to the USA, which is a major market for European manufacturers.

There were, however, encouraging reports from the fairs. While there was some decline in numbers of visiting buyers from the European industry, international visitors, particularly from America and Japan, are returning. Exhibitors were relieved to find that many visitors had come to do business, rather than merely study trends and collect ideas for their own use.

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