It’s hot here in China…outside in steamy Shanghai and inside on opening day at Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles, the industry’s largest trade fair in Asia.

More than 1,100 exhibitors from around the home textiles globe — primarily domestic producers from China but also exhibitors from elsewhere in Asia, Europe and the Americas — opened their stands here for what is expected to be more than 40,000 visitors by the time the fair wraps up on Saturday, one day longer than in previous years.

Wendy Wen, senior general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, a co-sponsor of the fair, said the show remains the prime trade event for the Asian market. “The strong international nature of the fair shows that overseas brands are still seeking out opportunities in China and Asia, and that Intertextile Shanghai is their preferred platform to do so.”

While few American companies exhibit here, a fair amount of English could be heard in the aisles of the fair, being held for the second time at the new National Exhibition and Convention Center.

The fair comes as the textiles world is increasingly looking at the authenticity of its products, particularly as it relates to labeling and the specificity of product identifications. There is also much turmoil in the supply chain models used by textiles importers, who continue to shift sources in the big three countries — China, India and Pakistan — while secondary textiles resources from Asia such as Bangladesh and Vietnam and European players including Turkey and Portugal try to gain share.

(Source: Home Textiles Today  Author: Warren Shoulberg)