Summary first convention day
The IAF’s 32nd World Fashion Convention has kicked off with a very motivated and attentive audience of about 250 Indian brands and manufacturers and industry representatives from about 20 countries across the world.
The Convention was opened by Rahul Mehta, President of both the co-hosts of the Convention, the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI).
The theme of the convention ‘Insights into new opportunities’ was very clearly carried by all four sessions of the day, with topics ranging from sourcing and supply chain management, to trade policy and from retailing in India to technology. With total global retail sales expected to grow from US$ 1.7 trillion to US$ 2.6 trillion in 2025, growth is sure, but making a profit and benefiting from this growth is not. That requires insights and actions.
Opportunities that were highlighted in the first day of the Convention include the Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU, lower costs through better cooperation between buyers and suppliers, opportunities in countries in Africa and in Russia, the dizzying growth of the market in India and the disruptive power offered by robotics and computing technologies.
The Convention will continue on Wednesday September 28th with a session on branding a session on denim featuring Gas Jeans owner Claudio Grotto
