As the first fashion event after the outbreak of the pandemic, Asia’s leading fashion and lifestyle trade fair CHIC Shanghai welcomed 43,986 visitors on 23-25 September 2020.
Taking place over 53,000 sqm at the National Exhibition & Convention Centre in Shanghai, CHIC played host to over 500 brands from all fashion and lifestyle segments. Exhibitors were primarily national brands alongside international labels with agents in China.
The focus of the trade fair was sustainable fashion and the upgrade of fashion.
There is an upward trend in Chinese trade. For August, the National Bureau of Statistics published an increase of 0.8% for the first time since the beginning of the year. Domestic consumption will be the most important growth driver in the next few years. Also, higher quality, more expensive collections to meet growing demand for quality and style.
Notably, the smaller metropolises (lower tier cities with up to 3 million inhabitants) are recording high consumer spending. At the same time, digital platforms continue to develop rapidly with vast sales growth.
The market relevance of young consumers, in particular with regard to willingness to spend, is also increasing. Namely the Gen Z group (born after 1996), who make up 25% of the country’s population.
According to a recent PwC study on China’s “New Retail”, this group, together with China’s millennials, are willing to spend more on products that emphasise their individuality and values of life. Health and sustainability are also very important to this group.
Commenting is Chen Dapeng, president of CHIC and the China National Garment Association.
“The global clothing industry is exposed to enormous strains and faces great challenges. The industry is in a process of transformation and adjustment. The key points are digitalization, innovation, and the change in the entire development concept.
“Sustainable development has become a global consensus. A responsible and a sustainable industrial ecosystem and an ecological supply chain system have become an important part of the industrial “soft power”. CHIC is the microcosm of the development of the Chinese clothing industry and sees itself as a service provider for industry and trade to which the fair provides all resources.”
Among the trade fair’s highlights included the “Sustainable Development Zone”.
This presented the sustainable production approaches of fashion manufacturers selected by the China National Garment Association, the Social Responsibility Office of the China Textile Industry Federation, and Womenswear Daily.
The exhibitions “Fashion for Future CHIC” and “WWD Salon” included environmentally friendly biodegradable fibres and dyeing methods with natural products. Also, reduction of water consumption by 50% through laser methods and implanted chips for tracing product origin. Sustainability as a guide for the Chinese fashion industry will remain a core topic at CHIC in March.
Upcoming editions of CHIC are: CHIC Shanghai, 10-12 March 2021; CHIC Shanghai, 17-19 August 2021; and CHIC Shenzhen, 3-5 November 2021. For further information, please click here.
