sourcing partner. We usually go to see trends in other trading
companies or if we can find any unique vendors.
It was my second time at this fair organized by 9 provinces (From
Shanghai, Nanjing, Fujian, Anhui, etc)
Quick stats:
3,600 Exhibitors
50,000 Attendees
Venue: New Int'l Expo center (Longyang rd, pudong)
When we arrived, it was chaos. Less of the normal lots-of-people-in-
china sense and more in the mass exodus akin to the last day of
university. It was the last day of the fair and exhibitors were
already scrambling to escape after 5 sun-less days in a cubicle. Hand
trucks of boxes blindly passed us, trucks were being loaded, and it
was muddy.
Since it was the last day, they only charged us 25 rmb to get in,
instead of the usual 100rmb. They quickly snapped a blurry photo of me
for an official badge, and camera in hand we headed in for battle. We
only had some vague idea of our strategy.... introduce me as an
American representative, and hope they aren't a trade company. When we
got inside the first of some 8 halls... half of the booths were empty
or packing up. We climbed over crates and bubble wrap trying to catch
as many booths as possible.
Is it export quality? What experience do you have with exporting? Can
you do custom manufacturing? Is this really 100% cotton? How much does
this TPU bag cost? The small size?
Since it was the last day, it meant that some exhibitors were also
looking to get rid of their samples- so they wouldn't have to haul
them back. Mostly big heavy stuff like suitcases and ceramics. I
scored a metal bread box (roll top lid) for 25 rmb and a teflon cookie
sheet and pan for 5 rmb EACH. They were desperate to get rid on them,
and I was one of the few foreigners who would want such a thing.
Each section was more or less organized either in the textiles or
gifts wing, then by region (i.e. ningbo) then by type (crafts,
apparel, bags, etc). Its completely overwhelming and underwhelming at
the same time. Every square inch is covered in one type of object-
Straw handbags, LED wall decorations, sandals- the eyes are overloaded
with info. And then we'd look at each other- it didn't have to do
with bath ensembles or home organization we passed it by. Home
organization is funny category. It's not really a gift per say, and
not really a textile (curtains, linens, fashion). Its just a somewhat
practical product. We found maybe 5-10 vendors of interest. I liked a
stacking wooden stool, that you could store stuff in. Worst of show
had to be the resin owl infested post boxes.
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