The Apparel, Textile and Footwear (ATF) show will take place in South Africa from November 21 to 23. Buyers from chain stores, independent retailers, boutiques, importers, distributors, factory managers and other decision makers will meet 140 international manufacturers and suppliers from China, South Africa, Indonesia, India, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Belarus and Estonia.

Manufacturers from China will display a range of products exclusively for Southern African buyers which include fashion garments and footwear, sportswear and sports footwear, safety boots, denim, home textiles, fashion fabrics, yarn, interlinings, trims and fasteners, fashion accessories such as bags and scarves, and much more.

Fashion, lifestyle and pop culture trend analysts will focus on trends from global-to-local, local-to-local and local-to-global perspectives. This will include pioneering African trends and the effect these will have on lifestyle, fashion, advertising, retail and emerging consumer markets.

A presentation will look at the disruptions that businesses and retailers are facing. It will cover areas such as macro trends affecting business and retail; current consumer attitudes, technology and the retail space; the future of retail; the changing face of corporate culture; and evolving company structures.

A cut and paste approach does not always deliver results in South Africa. Consumers’ fashion appreciation is unlike that of other regions. There will be a discussion on the challenges of and opportunities in apparel retail in South Africa.