#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2024-09-20

EOG and Messe München establish Retail Advisory Council

Retailers are calling for more brands, and brands are seeking greater retailer participation at the trade fair. This initiative aims to facilitate proactive exchanges, forge new business contacts, and collaboratively advance the industry. The European Outdoor Group (EOG) and Messe München have established the Retail Advisory Council to directly gather feedback from international retailers on their needs and requirements for the trade fair concept. The council will play a crucial role in shaping OutDoor 2025, ensuring closer retailer involvement in its development.

The overarching objective is to enhance industry support, evolve the trade fair concept, and solidify OutDoor’s position as a global platform for business, inspiration, and growth. The new OutDoor concept will be unveiled at the European Outdoor Summit, 18-19 September 2024 in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Extensive feedback from retailers indicates a strong consensus that trade shows must evolve into more inclusive, efficient, and inspiring events that are closely aligned with the practical needs of the outdoor industry. Additionally, there is a clear emphasis on the necessity of a global platform that facilitates effective exchanges at all decision-making levels within the industry. These insights stem from the Retail Advisory Council, established by the EOG and Messe München. Key international accounts such as Globetrotter, Sport 2000 International, Intersport, Sport Conrad, Frilufts, Partioaitta, Unterwegs AG, Der Aussteiger, WN Alpin, and JD Outdoors are actively involved.

THE CENTRAL DEMANDS OF THE TRADE INCLUDE:

Maintaining a central, leading trade fair as a comprehensive platform for presenting the latest trends, products, and industry expertise.
Ensuring broad participation and representation for all international market participants.
Revising the trade fair concept to enhance the efficiency of visits while simultaneously reducing costs for exhibitors.
Placing a stronger emphasis on retailers’ scheduling needs.
Developing trade fair concepts that extend beyond mere product and sales presentations.
Offering more curated spaces and personalized or segmented experiences.
Further developing networking formats within the platform.

OUTDOOR 2025 – FROM BUYING TO SELLING

The new OutDoor concept will be unveiled at the European Outdoor Summit (18-19 September 2024) in Cambridge. It will feature expanded subject areas tailored to different stakeholders, along with creative and more cost-effective participation options for increased flexibility. For example, the new Freestyle area will offer an intimate, innovation-focused environment with smaller, staggered stands along a guided discovery route, emphasizing product and brand stories. This layout provides retailers, media, and participants with an ideal, highly concentrated overview of the sector and its trends.

Personal contact remains a top priority. OutDoor is the world’s largest gathering of industry professionals, offering a focused and time-efficient opportunity for business and networking. It perfectly embodies the identity of the outdoor sector and serves as a platform for opportunity and growth.

On behalf of its members and all retailers in the outdoor and sports industry, the Retail Advisory Council is sending a strong message of support for trade fairs to all brands in the industry. Brands that register for OutDoor 2025 by 31 December 2024 will receive a 20 per cent discount on the square meter price of the 2024 event, setting a positive example.

SELECTED RETAILER VOICES FROM THE RETAIL ADVISORY COUNCIL

“We need a market overview at the trade fair. [...] The trade fair naturally has the function of providing a platform for new companies and innovations. That has been completely lost.” – Hans Conrad (Sport Conrad), on the importance of trade fairs that include the entire spectrum of industry participants and offer a complete market overview as well as a platform for innovations.

“I have always been a big supporter of trade fairs [...] but if you want to do them, everyone has to be there. If 25 or 30 per cent of their suppliers are missing, it is no good for them to attend because they cannot cover the same number.” – Lee Bagnall (JD Outdoors), on the importance of full supplier participation to make trade shows worthwhile for retailers. He emphasizes that incomplete representation reduces the value of the event.

“The show has developed into a meeting show …. I think it’s important to have the small guys there as well... You want to kick off the new season and get inspired somehow, see where the market is heading, and find unique small products and brands that you might not otherwise encounter.” – Henrik Hoffmann (Frilufts), emphasizes that trade fairs need to inspire attendees by showcasing a wide range of products and brands, including smaller companies that might otherwise be overlooked.

ISPO 2025: Dynamism, innovation, and strong impulses through close industry dialogue

Sports are becoming increasingly diverse and blending with many new areas. As a result, the sports industry is growing larger, customer demand is changing, and its fields of application are becoming more varied. New technologies, data-driven business models, sustainability, and international networking are shaping the market. In this dynamic environment, ISPO exhibitors demonstrate how change can be actively shaped.

EOG and Messe München decide to pause OutDoor 2025

“Sometimes, courageous decisions are needed”, said Christian Schneidermeier, who recently took on his new role as Director of the European Outdoor Group at the beginning of February. “But beyond being courageous, our decision not to hold OutDoor in 2025 is logical. Despite our best efforts – ranging from a new trade fair concept to thorough discussions and appeals – the number of registrations that we have received to date indicates that we will not achieve the goals set for OutDoor 2025.

Sport, health, fashion: The highlights of ISPO Munich 2024

Rethink the world of sports and shape it together: that’s what ISPO Munich 2024 (3 to 5 December 2024) is calling for with this year’s main topics Retail & Sustainability, Health & Fashion, and Tech/AI & Sports Extended. With over 2,400 exhibitors, topic-specific hubs and an extensive programme featuring prominent speakers, the upcoming event will set new standards and show how technology, sustainability and health are revolutionising the sports industry. With a total of five conferences, the accompanying conference programme offers deeper insights into various topics.

YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.

Coats to showcase innovative reinforcement and filler materials for leather goods and accessories at APLF 2026

Coats, a world-class Tier 2 manufacturer and trusted partner for the apparel and footwear industries, will be promoting four advanced materials from its ‘Lifestyle Solutions’ portfolio at APLF 2026 in Hong Kong in March. Each innovation has been specifically engineered to help luxury and premium brands elevate the craft, durability, sustainability and creative expression required in the manufacturing of handbags, purses, and other high-end designer accessories.

Design, innovation and sustainability propel VIATT 2026’s expanding role in ASEAN textile sourcing

At its third edition, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT) further reinforced its role as a key sourcing and business platform for ASEAN’s textile industry. The three-day fair welcomed over 17,000 visits from 54 countries and regions, and featured over 460 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions across 18,000 sqm. The 2026 edition was marked by the introduction of new international pavilions and zones, broadening the fair’s sourcing scope across new geographies and product categories. The fringe programme, headlined by the debut Trend Forum, further distinguished VIATT as the region’s most integrated textile trade platform – uniquely spanning the entire value chain.

KARL MAYER strengthens partnerships in the composites industry at JEC World 2026

KARL MAYER further strengthened its role as a reliable and competent partner to the composites industry at JEC World 2026. The global market leader in textile machinery manufacturing used the trade show to meet key customers, establish numerous new contacts, and engage in in-depth technical discussions.

ABB and Syre partner to explore technologies for industrial-scale textile recycling

ABB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swedish textile impact company Syre to jointly explore technologies to support the development of Syre’s first textile-to-textile recycling plant in Vietnam. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to investigate how ABB’s automation, electrification and digital technologies could contribute to safe, efficient and scalable operations. It will also explore how these capabilities could further optimize process and quality control performance as Syre advances its ambition to produce circular polyester at industrial scale.

From Nature Performance to Circular Economy: Techtextil 2026 focuses on the future market for technical textiles

Alternative materials and recycling technologies are one of the most important future segments and drivers of innovation in technical textiles. Sustainability goals and regulatory requirements increase their relevance, while advances in performance and economic viability enhance their market competitiveness. Taking place from 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil reflects this key industry trend with a growing number of specialised exhibitors. With the new “Nature Performance” label, the leading global trade fair bundles relevant market offerings and facilitates access to new solutions – from natural fibres and yarns to bio-based materials and circular approaches.