MASEI & RYLAND ATTEND THE CANTON FAIR!

By Scott Murphy
International Consultant

Tariffs?! What tariffs?!

Though there were a few comments, the specter of U.S. tariffs on China didn’t seem to affect the 137th Canton Fair much, as a record 30,000 exporters and 148,585 overseas buyers attended the first phase of the event in Guangzhou.

The fair has been called “a barometer of China’s foreign trade”, and based on what we saw, business is alive and well for manufacturers, brands, and owners who attended this year’s event.

Sure there were a few comments about US President Trump made quietly — and jokingly — by the largely Chinese booth owners, but everyone realized that the real purpose of the event was to make contacts and deals. And nothing was going to get in the way of that mission!

The event itself has been split into three phases, with electronics, manufacturing equipment, hardware, vehicles, tools and lighting products taking center stage in the first phase. The second phase included houseware items, gifts, and decorations. The third session took place early in May, and included fashion products, toys, stationery, home textiles, toys, health, and recreation products.

Despite the massive space — at 520,000 square meters — and occupying several buildings, everything about the event ran smoothly. This included an easy registration process to get badges, and continued through the fair itself. Signage was clear, food was accessible and cheap, and booths were impressive and accommodating (25,064 booths were registered with 11,304 companies exhibiting!).

As for the products on hand, it ran the gamut from seasonal displays to smart products (refrigerators and cars, for example) and enough speakers, ceramic plates, lights, tools, couches and more to fill up overseas containers for the foreseeable future.

“Members of our sales team made dozens of important contacts at this year’s Canton Fair,” says Masei & Ryland CEO Alan Lee. “And there are many brands that we are now in the process of doing business with. If you would like us to consider your brand — or would like us to source a brand for your retail use, you are always welcome to contact us. The Canton Fair has always been a welcoming and useful platform for us.”

The Canton Fair, established in 1957, is considered to be the biggest trade show in China, with the 138th edition scheduled to take place in three phases this October and November.