Press Releases

Press Release 16 September 2019

Simply the best sourcing show in India

A platform curated on the three pillars of opportunity, knowledge and inspiration, Apparel Sourcing Week (ASW) attracts sourcing specialists from India and around the world seeking manufacturing partners from South East Asia. The event hosts 100 global top garment manufacturers, handpicked for their focus on creativity, quality, delivery commitments and compliance to social obligations, as exhibitors. An additional 50 producers/suppliers of fabric and accessories also present their latest collections at the event. The upcoming ASW 2020 is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors from Indian and international retail during the span of 3-days, from 20-22 February 2020 at the Sheraton Grand in Bengaluru.
India is an emerging fashion consumption market
The current fashion retail market in India, which is worth US $ 50 billion today, is projected to grow at a promising CAGR of 9.7 per cent to reach US $ 115 billion by 2026. More than 100 international brands and retailers have entered the Indian market in the past 5 years. The market is getting stronger as 200 local brands and retailers with 100+ stores & 300+ brands & retailers with 30+ stores are all on an expansion spree, while e-commerce is bridging the consumer divide between the metros and Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. All these retail formats are searching for manufacturing partners.
Window to sourcing in South East Asia
Political stability, rich cultural heritage, modern outlook and strong communication skills make India an ideal location to set up sourcing operations that oversee the region. 1500 big and small international brands have already established offices in India or are working through agents in India for the region. International buyers and manufacturers from all major consumption centres and manufacturing destinations frequently visit the country to create collections and source fabric, yarns and other fashion accessories. An obvious extension is to develop India as a window to sourcing in Asia. ASW is the first step in this direction.
Need for an Indo-global sourcing platform
Although India has a huge and growing fashion retail market, the country does not have an international sourcing event that covers the needs of major retail markets, including India. Indian retailers are searching for the right platform to source with their peers from other retail destinations. The need is to have one consolidated sourcing platform for sourcing for all retailers around the world.
Exchange of ideas is the need of the hour
Exhibitions now have to be more than just product displays, as the time of the buyer and exhibitor is very precious; so adding value to any event is of supreme importance. There is an urgent need for a platform that allows the participants – visitors and exhibitors – to interact and discuss business opportunities in an environment that is charged with purpose. At ASW, equal focus is given on the exhibition and knowledge platform.
Buyers and suppliers want to collaborate
International business is no longer about buying and selling, it is about collaborations along the supply chain. There is no event that fully understands and allows for interactive discussion that perpetuate collaborations, to forge relationships and understand concerns of the manufacturers from different destinations. The product development teams of both the retailers and the producers would also like to see latest display of fabric and accessories so as to begin their PD process in earnest. There is no such platform as yet that covers the entire gamut in garments.
Regional synergies critical to growth of the region
The world is getting smaller and buyers look at regions and not individual countries when sourcing. Asia as a manufacturing hub has been at the centre of all sourcing teams, yet no buyer likes to place all their eggs in one basket and they spread out their sourcing needs to different countries to mitigate risk and also play on individual strengths. Recognising this, ASW has created compatibility among competition, so that the buyer finds all his needs at one source, as per specific market requirements.
Networking with Peers and competitors
The days are gone when a competitor was looked upon as a rival, now it is important to have dialogue with peers and competitors to understand where the industry is going. This transparent exchange of ideas is only possible through extensive networking opportunities that ASW has devised. From networking lunches and dinners to golf tournaments and meditation sessions, ASW promises to create relations that are meaningful.
Fun and enjoyment along with business
Doing business need not be a tiring and tedious job. ASW is a wholesome experience. Well-designed booths, all-day-long food and beverages, curated knowledge and inspirational platforms…, all add to the exclusiveness. Post the three-day event, the fun continues with activities for our visitors and exhibitors that include options like tours to places of religious importance, after all, India is the birth place of Buddhism and Hinduism; visit to tourist spots like Mysore, Coorg and Ooty, tour of Vineyards in south India; Post Event Retail Tour and Trend/Design Inspiration Tour.

About Apparel Sourcing Week 2023

Apparel Sourcing Week 2023, 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.

About the Organiser

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.