Rebound in Asian visitors boosts spirits of Paris trade shows

By

Anaïs Lerévérend

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Mar 15, 2017

The second-round trade shows held in Paris in the month of March, simultaneous with the French capital's Fashion Week, enjoyed satisfactory results, with visitor numbers generally growing. It was a welcome upswing, after the 2016 editions were plagued by a shortfall in visitors in the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks. 

What stood out for the show organisers was the new influx of Japanese buyers, and in general of buyers from Asia. A spokesperson for the Tranoï show mentioned how visitor numbers were "well up" in March, noting how the show reconnected with Japanese buyers who were absent last year, as well as with buyers from China and Korea. Visitors from France and Italy were once again the most numerous, but Asians were right behind them and more numerous than the Germans or the Spanish. Tranoï figures showed a remarkable increase in attendees from Spain.

The assessment was similar at the Première Classe and Paris sur Mode shows, which claimed a "slight increase" in the number of visitors, in their case also driven by the return of Asian buyers. The organisers said that a strong US contingent also boosted attendance numbers.

As for the Woman show, relocating the event closer to the Première Classe and Paris sur Mode venues was a success. The fair showcased 85 brands with nearly 50% more visitors attending."The new central location in Place Vendôme played a major role in this success, as did the consistency in [exhibitor] selection," said Antoine Floch, one of the event's co-founders.

"The improved links between the shows, and their pooling resources to reach the same goal is also a highly positive sign," he added. "The new, shared shuttle services for example boosted the footfall for all [shows]," said Floch.

Exhibitors from the various shows echoed these encouraging reports, highlighting the quality of the visitors, which came from all over the world and represented the pick of the department and concept store crop. French visitors were the only disappointment at the March shows, as their numbers still are still mostly flat.