The fabric and suit label Scabal is anticipating further growth in fabric sales in China over the coming years despite a slowdown in the market over the past 12 months. The company, based in Brussels and with its flagship store on London's Savile Row, exhibited in the Premium Wool Zone at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics on 12-14 March. Neil Hart, the Scabal global sales director, told Twist that China's softer economic growth, combined with the entry into the marketplace of a number of other fabric suppliers, have contributed to a more challenging set of conditions. "We are still growing here, but that growth is slower now," he said. "The Chinese market is not quite what it was a few years ago and reflects the slower economy. At the same time, everyone wants to get into the cut length business, so the market has become a bit disturbed." However, Hart said that Scabal does not believe such challenges will create long-term difficulties for its business in China. "We still see room for further growth here, but it won't be as spectacular as previously," he said. "Scabal remains very strong in China, and we know what a merchant has to do in this market to keep customers happy." He added that the scale of the market remains huge. "One of our customers here, for example, has 2,500 shops across the country," he said.
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