Press Release Copenhagen Fashion Fairs August 2009

Fair Resumé & Figures

This time around, CPH Vision and Terminal-2 have been exceptional in many ways. For the first time ever the fairs were presented under the umbrella of Copenhagen Fashion Fairs - an umbrella organization created with the aim of introducing more activities to Copenhagen Fashion Week.

This was the first time that the CPH Vision show was moved out of the fair area and presented in a completely new venue at Børsen - the old stock exchange building in Copenhagen - an iconic, yet ironic location considering the challenges facing the fashion industry at the present time. Going back to the old stock exchange building was an attempt to go back to basics and create new beginnings.

The new outdoor area in Terminal-2 was launched along with the new remodeled facilities and upgraded bus transfer services between the two fairs.

Not unexpectedly, there was a decrease in visitor numbers compared to last fair. Between Thursday 6 and Sunday 9 August 2009, 20,619 fashion professionals visited CPH Vision and Terminal-2. This represents a decrease of 12.7% compared to the August 08 fair. In February we had a decrees of 15% mainly based on the many shop bankruptcies in the Nordic region, therefore we are optimistic about the numbers for this fair, and expect that the market is stabilizing.

Despite the decrease, there was great optimism in the air and a boost in purchase orders and sales was reported by exhibitors. The reduced visitor numbers did not affect the flourishing business as it was clear that the people who had come to the fairs were decision-makers who had the authority to place orders then and there.

"The decline in visitor numbers did not take us by surprise as we are very much aware of the difficult times currently facing many companies. It has been a time of bankruptcy, especially in the fashion and textile industries, and fashion retail is of course being cautious. We experienced that the purchasing period became concentrated into fewer days and that activity was at its most intense on Thursday and Friday. There were fewer representatives from each shop, but the qualitative buyers where definitely present and, as was the case in previous years, orders were signed, new contacts made and the overall feedback from exhibitors was that the fair provided excellent business and great new networking opportunities. This just goes to show that there is no actual correlation between visitor numbers and what can be achieved at the fair."

Jan Busch Carlsen, Founder of Copenhagen Fashion Fairs

Last but not least, and definitely worth mentioning, was the exceptional weather that hit the city as Copenhagen Fashion Week kicked off. Luckily, the sun shone from a cloudless sky on both sales figures and participant enthusiasm.

• SAS*
• Penther*
• Heineken*