Peruvian trade officials have struggled to lure major retailers such as David Jones, Myer, Just Group and Specialty Fashion Group to preview the country’s capabilities as a fashion manufacturing destination.
Australian trading organisation WFC International (Peru) has been working with Promperu, a trade department of the Peruvian government, on an 18-month campaign to promote the market’s fashion, clothing and apparel industries to domestic retail chains.
Integral to this is upcoming trade show Perumoda, which will be staged in the country from April 28 to 30 and feature textile, fashion, jewellery and manufacturing products and services.
Buyers from David Jones, Just Group, Retail Holdings, Specialty Fashion Group and Myer were among the key domestic retailers targeted to attend the event by both trade firms. However, WFC International (Peru) officials have now revealed they are targeting the second-tier retail market after major buyers declined the invitation due to other commitments or a lack of current interest in the Peruvian market.
Major retail groups did not respond to Ragtrader’s request for a statement at the time of press, but the move comes at a time when the sector struggles with price increases in the Chinese manufacturing sector.
According to business information firm IBISWorld, average wages in the sector have increased by 42 per cent since 2006, adding an estimated 20 per cent to the cost of garments produced in the market. Record cotton prices have also affected the bottom line, with China’s demand for cotton imports jumping by 86 per cent in 2010 year on year.
