Trade Tips - Austrade

Austrade Madrid's business development manager Elena Obiols offers exporters a lowdown on the Spanish TCF market.

What you need to know

Spain is almost triple the size of the Australian market and exports over EUR$3.3 billion ($A5.2 billion) worth of clothing and footwear, with almost 70 per cent of all outbound products destined for other EU markets. High profile uber-brands Zara and Mango lead the way with a host of emerging names also gaining recognition worldwide. It is also a desirable market for European, US and Latin American brands, and competition for the local and tourist market can be intense.

Aussie brands are most well known for setting the pace at street level. Billabong, Quicksilver, Mambo, Roxy and street jewellery brand Bico are sought after by hipster and surf-scene teens. Sally Jones and AussieBum have also gained a foothold, as well as childrenswear brand Eeni meeni miini moh.

Aside from this, a sense of Australian style is almost unknown, and a perception of risk can exist for local buyers when considering Australian designs, with distributors most receptive to brands already selling in Europe.