The ASW Marketplace platform is about continuity of presence, continuity of business opportunities and continuity of interaction with buyers who keep visiting the platform seeking the right suppliers for their sourcing needs. For the buyers, the very fact that the exhibitors are from various manufacturing destinations, offers them a platform to explore not only variety in manufacturing destinations, but also product categories, order sizes, production capabilities and market needs.
Since its launch in December, many buyers from different markets have visited the Marketplace and found the same useful and dynamic. Though the market conditions are very subdued as of now, buying is at an all time low, but the concept of Marketplace has been appreciated and moving forward many of the buyers are looking to actively engage with the platform and its exhibitors. Sharing his thoughts on the same, William Seward of PIPE CANDY, a Jeans Buyer from the US said, "The experience of Marketplace has been really very nice. I see a lot of potential of sourcing from the region. Earlier a lot of my products were imported from China and more recently from Turkey, but on the platform, there are a lot of new things that I haven't seen before; many new things which can make my original product more appealing and sellable.
" With exhibitors that represent compliant and ethical manufacturing, the buyers are impressed with the collections that include sustainable products. "It's admirable to see such a variety of recycled, eco-friendly and sustainable products at the Marketplace. I have found what I was looking for and it is always pleasing to see that manufacturers are doing a lot to tune in with the trends prevalent worldwide," averred a happy visitor, Annemarie Vlaming, who is Owner & Designer of Holland-based brand, AAI made with Love.
The opportunity to see so many reliable and world-class manufacturing companies on one platform without travelling is another reason to appreciate the Marketplace. As Berni Ducrocq, an agent for many companies in Europe in textiles and apparel puts it – “I spend a lot of time dealing with the clients, so I am not able to look for new products. So, it’s easy for me to look for new designs at the Marketplace, sitting in the comfort of my office. Currently, one side, our country is facing lockdown which is another reason to use this time for finding new products and suppliers for the future.
" The positive feedback on the responsiveness and quality of exhibitors at the Marketplace has travelled far and wide. When contacted Ildiko Nagy, a buyer for Next Hungry online store expressed a desire to register as a regular visitor. "It is amazing to work with Indian manufacturers since they understand the needs of buyers and agreeably make changes in their products to make them more compatible in our market. The ASW Marketplace is playing an active role in bringing various links in the supply chain together and I am really thankful for this"
No doubt, the depth in product range, manufacturing capacities and capabilities makes the platform very exciting for the buyers. For a supplier, the ability to sit in the comfort of the Marketplace, have a video chat with possible partners and show them your products, is a definite plus. If you haven’t had a look yet, it’s time you do!
Apparel Sourcing Week 2024, a two-days Sourcing Show not only provides the Asian manufacturers a platform to showcase their products & manufacturing capabilities to the Brands & Retailers from all over the world including India, but also extends them a chance to attend the multiple seminars (headed by industry experts), workshops, open-house discussions and networking opportunities organised during these three days, which would help the manufacturers get a better understanding of Indian and International Retail and evolving dynamics of sourcing in various markets and retail formats.
Apparel Resources is well known for its benchmark publications – Apparel Online, StitchWorld and Resource Guide published from India, Bangladesh & Vietnam. These publications have been around in the industry for over 35 years, supporting, guiding and standing by garment exporters and the retail industry globally, providing them a platform to source better.