The eleventh CPM – Collection Premiere Moscow, that took place from 10 to 13 September in the Moscow Expocentre, was notable for new official records: the fair was attended by 18500 people (which is by 500 persons more, than in February) and presented an exposition of 1500 companies and brands from 35 countries of the world (16% more than the quantity of participants in September 2007). The official press release notes that there was a qualitative change of the attendees - 84% of СРМ visitors arrived from the Russian regions, such as Yekaterinburg, Nizhni Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don.
It is possible to get acquainted with the official figures on the web site of the organizers though. We will share our own opinion and ideas.
CPM – is, undoubtedly, the major fashion fair in Russia. There are no competitors on the scene that could be more or less approximate to CPM by scope, state, richness of business program and level of organization. The situation can change only in case if there will come another strong western player to Russia, who has enough experience, financial funds and reputation. The Russian organizers of the fairs at the moment can attract participants only at the account of lower costs of the fair ground.
This autumn for the first time of the CPM’s history the forth day of the fair was on the weekend. In relation to the main subject of the Collection Premiere, one of the Expocentre pavilions was occupied by trade equipment exhibition - Shop Design, that brought together the largest representatives of this sphere of business on a comparatively small space.
Impressive quantity of exhibitors, free seminars and fashion shows: CPM is, obviously, of interest to people who attend the event for the first time. However, it is not that interesting to come back for the second and the third time. Substantial spaces are occupied by the companies, who, most likely, have been exhibiting here from the very beginning, while the newcomers look more like outsiders of the European market, than trend setters. If you want to discover something truly outstanding and new, you will scarcely enjoy what you see.
Exhibitors, are, most possibly the major problem of any fair. The organizers could make more efforts in regards to that problem, however, if we think of that, it is difficult to attract new brands and companies to Russia, who do well in their local markets and do not think of conquering the vast territories of our motherland. In any case, it is better to search news and fresh trends abroad, which must be obvious for Moscow buyers, whose share of the CPM visitors is very small.
The vast fairground of Expocentre was divided in a traditional way for CPM. The significant part of the ground was occupied by different countries-participants. The large hall of the forum was given to Germany, the second pavilion was shared by Spain, Italy, children wear manufacturers CPM Kids and underwear CPM Lingerie. Comparatively small Premium, Premium accessories + shoes were neighboring with youth clothes in the Young Fashion area. Halls seven and eight were also given to national expositions. The spacious first pavilion was occupied by the local manufacturers.
The major flow of attendees was in the first days of the event, on Friday and Saturday it was rather calm there. The majority of the stands were empty and on Saturday some part of the exhibitors started packing their stuff long before the end of the fair.
Fashioner traditionally asked the participants, whether they were satisfied with the event. The opinions about the efficiency of the fair were different: expectations of some exhibitors were not justified at all, others, on the contrary, were satisfied with the results. Such situation is typical for any fair – after all the fair only gives a chance to present yourself, but it can not secure neither interest of the attendees, nor profitable contracts – this fully depends the companies themselves, and not on the organizers.
Overall we can say, that: CPM – is still in the lead, however, as attendants we would like to see more new and interesting brands in February. To those who consider exhibiting in the event, we would advise to evaluate their capabilities more realistically.
A few words about JustCaviar: This event took place for the first time and was positioning as the Russian response to Bread&Butter in some press releases, though it was rather an alternative response to CPM. Hidden somewhere in the territory of “ARMA” factory in the industrial quarter on Kursky railway station, tiny, in the spirit of an underground rave in a deserted workshop, against a large scale, German style well coordinated, polished Collection Premiere – it is unlikely that one can create two such different concepts.
Over one third of the exposition was occupied by the brands of “Bersaglio” company (one of the organizers of the event, jointly with "Expodesign" and magazine "Sportswear International"), who, somehow, did not turn down exhibiting at the CPM as well, the rest of the space accommodated not numerous brands of street&sport segment. According to some participants of the event, there were not many attendees, nobody was expecting the welter, though. Sound and free bar for friends will not surprise anybody. However it is nice, that the event somehow took place, so lets hope, that in some time JustCavier will really become an event that can be indeed compared to Bread&Butter.
