F&A & Hometex visitors up 14%

By the time the 12th edition of the fabrics and accessories show, F&A Show 2015 and the 4th edition of home textiles fair- Hometex closed its doors on 14th March, more than 3,500 unique visitors had streamed through the KTPO gates in Bangalore, the venue of the twin shows, up 11 per cent from the 2014 editions.

The most satisfying indicator for the organizer, SS Textile Media was that most of the over 103 exhibitors polled at the twin-shows indicated that they were satisfied, with a few being overwhelmed with the response they received from buyers, with a good number even closing orders within the three-days of the fair and a general consensus that a majority of visitors were genuine or serious buyers.

On the other hand, a majority of visitors too expressed deep satisfaction with their visit to the shows, as again here too, most of the visitors who were polled said they were able to find whatever they came looking for, whether innovative yarns, fabrics or accessories, handicraft textiles or home textiles.

A few fabric innovations for both men and women on display included a mix of plain & mesh in the same knitted fabric, bonded fabrics, fragrance releasing fabrics, zero-count fabrics, tere-rayon fabrics, 2×200’s cotton shirting fabrics, Georgette Moss fabrics, a blend of the traditional Bandhani, Shibhori and Indigo-dyed in a single fabric, functional fabrics, etc.

In the accessories section, buyers came across an innovative 3D label, interlinings made from Net Resins, innovations in engraving technology in buttons, narrow fabrics in both spandex and latex, embroideries, Oeko-Tex certified zippers and many other new product developments in the category.

Yarns exhibited by several exhibitors with latest product developments on display included, water soluble PVA yarn, colour zero twist yarn, hollow yarn, grindle yarn, grindle blended with slub yarn, multi-colour fancy yarns, injection slub yarn, Flutter, Ferry, Lofty Linen and many other varieties of yarn.

Not to be left behind, the home textiles section also had on display products like blankets, foot mats, etc made from Mink and Polar Fleece, designer paper wall coverings, home furnishings, designer towels, bedsheets & curtains, comforters, colourful quilts, cushions, pillows and many more.

Notable exhibitors from India, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore included two companies from the Aditya Birla Group; Linen Club and Grasim Bhiwani, JCT too had two stalls; textiles and also the newly set-up home textiles division; JCT Homes, Raymond Home, Morarjee Textiles, Akij Textile Group from Bangladesh, Beijing Guanghui Textile Co Ltd from China, etc.

Visitors too came from all corners of South and Central India and even overseas and included representatives from global and Indian brands and retailers like George UK, a subsidiary of Wal-Mart, Adidas, Gokuladas Exports, Arvind Brands, VF Corporation, Madura Lifestyle, Crocodile, Ralph Lauren, Mothercare, Lifestyle, PVH, Shahi Exports and many more reputed companies.

The show was inaugurated by Atul Ujagar, Country Director – India, Sri Lanka & Pakistan at Nike and Anindya Ray, Head (Sourcing) at Arvind Lifestyle Brands Ltd. Sharing his opinion after visiting a few stalls, Atul Ujagar, said, “The level of this show seems to be getting better year after year. I saw a bonded fabric jacket, which I never believed could be produced in India.”

From the exhibitors side, Vishal Khanna, Asst Manager, Brands & Retailers at Grasim Bhiwani Textiles, a Aditya Birla Group company, which introduced two new fabric concepts said, lots of buyers came to their stall and although they knew a few beforehand, he felt it is a good opportunity for even their known buyers to have a look at their entire range. Alongside, he also had new and serious buyers and hopes to convert them and get business from them.

Thyagaraju – Sa