World’s 3rd biggest apparel importing nation – Japan is a crucial market for Bangladesh’s apparel manufacturing industry. In FY22, Bangladesh exported $1.09 billion apparel worth of apparel products in the market.
As part of more penetration in the key market, leading Bangladeshi apparel companies have been trying to establish their foothold in this market.
As a continuation of this, Hossain Dyeing & Printing Mills Ltd. of Anwar Group participated in the recently concluded FaW TOKYO fair – FASHION WORLD TOKYO –which is the country’s largest international fashion trade show.
Anwar Group of Industries one of the new generation promising leaders, Deputy Managing Director, Faizah Mehmood led the Tokyo fair team.
In a conversation with Textile Today the key recipes to break into the Japanese market.
Faizah said, “This is the second successive year Hossain Dyeing & Printing Mills Ltd. has participated in the FaW TOKYO fair. The response is much more engaging and positive.”
“For example, we have showcased our full range of products to understand the market feedback. In addition, we have also exhibited some linen and linen cotton mixed products and sustainable fashion ranges.”
Faizah emphasized the reasons for the Japanese market focus. She said, “Our export basket is heavily reliant on the USA and EU markets. Meaning, that competition in these markets is extremely intense. To create uniqueness, we have targeted the Japanese market. For instance, the market expectation, trends and quality are unmatched with any other fashion trends globally.”
“Japan’s fashion market is really unique in the sense that gaining Japanese buyers’ trust is not something that comes easily. Their emphasis on quality is extremely high and their parameters are 10 times higher than any other global buyer. For instance, our existing Japanese buyers groomed us for a year before placing an order. It takes years to develop a sample as per their requirement.”
In terms of value-addition in the market, Faizah said, “The important aspect of the market is that their order quantity is less but belongs to the value-added category. For instance, we have brought some unique product samples from the FaW TOKYO fair. One interesting fabric is pineapple fabric. Another one is a cotton twill fabric – which is unlike any cotton fabric. Thanks to Japanese innovative textile processing. We want to develop such type of product in the future. So, having the special product mix allows us to play with the market and marketing strategy.”
“Most importantly, besides showcasing our products, the FaW TOKYO fair was a learning experience for us. Taking innovative ideas from the Japanese market, we can replicate in other leading markets like the USA and EU,” Faizah Mehmood concluded.
