30th August 2021, Mumbai:
Mumbai-based Red Scooter International was incepted in 2018 to help struggling brands promote their businesses. Over the years it has evolved into a major fair organizer. The company organizes fairs and with each successive fair footfalls have been increasing leaps and bounds. Ably supported by the brand owners in its endeavor and it has evolved steadily. Girish Sharma, Owner and Vinayak Evra, Partner, talk about the upcoming fairs and plans to sail through difficult times.
How are you facing these challenging times?
We have not been as severely hit as others. However, we have had to be generous with our hotel and other accommodation rates. We have also directed our participants to produce their vaccination certificates or RT-PCR reports at the event.
How many editions of the fair have you organized so far? What was the response? Has COVID impacted participation?
Organized on January 4, 2018, the first Mumbai Garment Trade Fair was a huge success. It encouraged us to organize the second edition on June 2, 2018. In 2018, we organized four fairs followed by another four in 2019. In 2020, we held two fairs in January and one in September.
In 2021, we have organized two fairs till date. Of these, eight fairs were organized in association with our partners and the remaining four were organized by us. Starting with 30 brands as participants, the Indian National Garment Fair has grown to include 122 participants now.
We also organized a fair for the Fabric Suppliers Association in May 2018. We have been approached by associations like the Kidswear Association, Women Wear Association and Ethnic Wear Association to organize fairs.
This year, manufacturers are keen to attend the fairs as COVID has played havoc with their businesses. They are eager to get back to business. However, the number of participants is likely to decline from last year as manufacturers from outside Mumbai are unable to participate.
What are the product categories this year?
We are offering a mixed product basket at the Hotel Orchid. Our product list includes club wear, party wear, casuals, ethnic and formals. These products are available above a certain MRP making it easier for retailers to choose. They offer a complete value for money.
Tell us about the fair at Sahara Complex-- the Mumbai Fashion Week
Since last year, we have been organizing the Mumbai Fashion Week at the Sahara Complex for casualwear brands. It has attracted brands like Spykar, Twills, Grammer, River Blue, Sunnex, Exhile, Got It, Freak Denims, Kozak, Body Mark, Chops Stick and Kuch Kuch on a common platform. Last year, the fair witnessed 8,000 visitors comprising dealers, retailers and buyers. This year, it will welcome only buyers, of which 50 per cent in Mumbai have been vaccinated while the remaining will provide their RT_PCR reports. The fairs are being promoted on all social media channels including Facebook, WhatsApp, Emails, and Instagram.
How do you visualize year 2022 and what are your plans?
We expect 2022 to be a rocking year for the garment industry, and for Red Scooter. We intend to promote Mumbai-based brands in cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Cochin and Ahmedabad. We also aim to organize fairs in these cities to promote local brands. I would also like to start a new fair in January/February to promote women’s ethnic and kidswear. Five years from now, I would like to organize a fair on approximately 5 lakh square feet where I can conduct all my heart’s wishes to match international standards like seminars and fashion shows.
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