Global Sources has announced a series of private sourcing events aimed at enabling international buyers to get new children's fashions to market faster.
The events cover baby an children's apparel and footwear; and summer garments and fabrics. Both events are scheduled to be held in Wuxi and take place on August 13 and 14, respectively.
Global Sources' chairman and CEO, Merle A. Hinrichs, said that styles change quickly so, for fashion buyers, it is particularly important to go from product discovery to retail shelves in the shortest time possible, while ensuring quality.
He added that private sourcing events are an ideal solution because they connect buyers with pre-screened suppliers in one day at a single location. And, since meetings take place privately between one buyer and one supplier, the format facilitates in-depth discussions and negotiations.
Representing USD213 billion in annual sales, buyers scheduled to participate in the baby and children's apparel and footwear event are, Auchan — One of the world's 10 largest retailers; C&A — a European retailer representing 10 exclusive brands and an enterprise of COFRA Holding AG; Caben — a wholesale trading company and Hong Kong subsidiary of Italian corporation, Artsana S.p.A.; Casino — France' s largest convenience store operator; Kmart Australia — one of Australia's largest discount chains; Metro — the world's fifth-largest retailer; Polo Ralph Lauren — one of the world' s top fashion brands; Otto International China — part of the Otto Group, a leading international trading organization; and Woolworths UK — one of the UK's largest retailers of home, family and entertainment products.
Buyers with combined annual sales of USD157 billion scheduled to participate in the summer garments and fabrics event are Casino, C&A, Decathlon, Metro, Otto International China, QVC, and Spotlight.
Eighty private sourcing events are scheduled for 2008, with dozens of buyers including Best Buy, Carrefour, Circuit City and Lowe's have confirmed their participation.