CMAI Summer Fair: High on business & networking

The 56th National Garment Fair (NGF) organised by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) from January 28 to 30 in Mumbai ended on a high note. The bi-annual fair this time had 155 participants. CMAI introduced a new concept

of networking and interaction sessions to help manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, distributors and agents connect and work out good business deals.

Since its inception, the fair has been widely acclaimed by exhibitors and visitors as a means to diversify their distribution base, absorb new trends in product-mix, style-wise, design-wise etc, and to increase their domestic business. And in keeping with the trend, the January fair managed to generate good business for stakeholders. As Rahul Mehta, President CMAI points out, “We had 155 exhibitors which is quite good as January fairs are reasonably smaller compared to the July one. And we were expecting a good turnout of retailers. The main feature of the January fair is that there are very few casual visitors. Most retailers who visit the fair come with a specific idea of doing business. So the bookings are normally good, although the total number of exhibitors may be small.”

There were two interactive sessions for buyers and manufacturers. Giving details about the networking sessions Mehta says, “We had two networking sessions for buyers and manufacturers which generated a good response. We observed good business taking place during these sessions. We are also focusing on improving our level of services and increasing the number of participants at the fair.” On day two, CMAI organized a panel discussion on the topic: ‘Future of Indian Retail.’ This panel discussion was organized specially for the CMAI’s Ivy League members. An eminent list of panelist which included Gaurav Mahajan, CEO, Westside, Suresh Patel, Owner G 3, Surat, Chirag Gada, Owner, Trios and Sanjay Vakharia, Director Spykar Lifestyles, deliberated on various issues facing the retail sector in India.

On day three, the CMAI committee organized a business meet with Japanese delegation for fabrics. This was one of the main attractions of the event as it managed to pull the maximum number of participants. As Ashok Shah, Chairman, Fair Sub-Committee points out, “We got a good response for the Japanese delegation that visited our fair. Japanese fabrics are very rich and in demand these days and so we thought it would be good if we organize this for our local manufacturers.”

Another highlighting of the fair was the increased presence of number of kids’ and ethnic wear brands at the fair. CMAI fairs that are mainly dominated by menswear manufacturers this year had some 70-75 kids’ wear brands and some five to six women’s ethnic wear brands participating in the fair. Rohit Munjal CMAI Jt Chairman, Fair Sub-Committee, said, “Normally, we have more of menswear participants. But this time close to 50 per cent were kids’ wear manufacturers. The kids’ wear market is growing and this has compelled more and more kids’ wear brands to increase their reach and expand their market. The same is true for women’s ethnic wear brands. Next year, we plan to have at least 30 to 40 ethnic wear brands at the fair.”

Thus in spite of being a smaller fair, with lesser number of exhibitors as compared to the July fair, CMAI managed a good response. Manufacturers benefitted as it helped them in doing good business in terms of bookings and order placements.