Source: HKTDC.
The 31st edition of the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair and the 11th Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair drew over 60,000 attendees from 134 countries and regions, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The Gifts Fair welcomed approximately 50,000 visitors, while the Printing & Packaging Fair saw over 14,000 attendees. Notably, there was increased participation from mainland China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
“Given the current global market instability, suppliers should be more proactive in promoting their products and brands. At the same time, distributors and retailers need to actively seek new and competitive products,” remarked Benjamin Chau, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director. “These two fairs offer a perfect platform for both product promotion and sourcing, showcasing premium goods and a wide range of options.”
The HKTDC coordinated 171 buying missions from 75 countries and regions for both fairs, totaling over 13,200 buyers. Business matching services were also offered at the event to facilitate business partnerships and opportunities. Additionally, in response to the rising demand for smaller orders, the HKTDC Small Orders showcase at the Gifts Fair presented more than 2,500 products available in quantities of 5 to 1,000 units, across 360 displays. During the four-day fair, 23,000 business connections were made.
Chau also highlighted that at the Gifts Fair, the HKTDC established a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Thailand, a key ASEAN member, to bolster business collaboration and promotion between Hong Kong and Thailand. The agreement includes providing a high-quality platform for Thai products through the HKTDC’s online and trade fair promotional services. This collaboration will cover various industries such as garments, fashion accessories, textiles, food, and agricultural goods.
Decorative gifts, figurines lead market growth
To gauge market outlook and product trends, the HKTDC commissioned an independent on-site survey during the Gifts Fair, interviewing about 920 buyers and exhibitors. The survey revealed a cautiously optimistic outlook for the gifts market this year, with nearly half of the surveyed individuals anticipating consistent sales in the coming year, and 20% predicting growth. Thirty-seven percent of respondents expect a rise in sourcing and production costs. However, over 60% do not plan to increase their free on board (FOB) selling prices or retail prices, implying an intention to absorb these rising costs.
Source: HKTDC. Tian.
When asked about the markets with the most potential, the majority of respondents highlighted mainland China, followed by Hong Kong and Korea.
The survey also examined product trends within the gifts and premium market. Most respondents predicted that decorative gifts and figurines would experience the most significant growth in the current year, followed by tech gifts and then advertising gifts and premiums. Regarding product features, the industry generally believes that consumers are placing a higher value on product practicality and quality, followed by price and aesthetic design.
Exploring business opportunities
This year marked the first time the Ministry of Commerce organized a delegation to the Gifts Fair, consisting of 10 companies from Yunnan Province, shared Tian Guofeng, Director, Exhibition Department, China International Center for Economic & Technical Exchanges, Ministry of Commerce. “The Hong Kong fair, being the world’s largest and most influential gifts and premium fair, will undoubtedly help Yunnan manufacturers tap into global markets,” said Tian.
Source: HKTDC. Fukushima.
“Exhibitors from Yunnan Province are presenting a diverse array of premium products, including metalware, silverware, wooden gifts, pottery, stone carvings, and gunny handbags. Buyer response has been very positive.”
Shosuke Fukushima, Director of Japan Pavilion, Business Guide-Sha, explained that due to positive outcomes at last year’s fair, Japanese exhibitors returned this year with their largest delegation yet, comprised of 17 companies. “Japanese exhibitors are showcasing a variety of on-trend items such as cosmetics, garments, stationery, toys, and video games. The Hong Kong fair provides an international platform for Japanese exhibitors to connect with a multitude of buyers and gain a deeper understanding of market demands. More crucially, Hong Kong acts as a crucial gateway for Japanese businesses to establish connections with distributors and retailers from across the globe. We are committed to organizing the Japan Pavilion again next year.”
Eco Concepts, a Hong Kong-based exhibitor participating for the fifth time, specializes in eco-friendly products made from PLA (polylactic acid), a biodegradable plastic sourced from renewable materials like corn or tapioca. Phoebe Wong, Director of Eco Concepts, shared that the company secured a US$9,000 order from a Thai buyer on the very first day of the event.
“Thanks to the business matching services facilitated by the HKTDC, we’ve connected with a larger number of buyers from Europe, likely due to our products meeting their stringent environmental standards. We secured a US$9,000 order from a Thai buyer just on the first day of the fair,” Wong said.
Source: HKTDC. A wide range of product samples were on show.
Another Hong Kong-based exhibitor, Gianna Company, focuses on integrating innovative design elements into its products. Lawrence Tong, the company’s Managing Director, highlighted the growing market trend toward creative designs. “We received over HK$2 million in on-site orders from existing clients. The fair also allowed us to connect with numerous potential buyers from various countries,” shared Tong.
At the Printing & Packaging Fair, Hong Kong exhibitor Tommy Yu, Senior Manager of VersaTech Energy Innovation, and Environmental Consultant of The Hong Kong Printers Association, emphasized that cleaner production is crucial in the face of rising environmental concerns. The Hong Kong Printers Association actively leveraged the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair to advocate for new, cleaner production technology. “Many large-scale printers are taking this responsibility seriously, and we aim to use this exhibition to encourage more SMEs to adopt these practices. Within the initial hours of the exhibition, we were approached by around 50 visitors, including printing companies from Hong Kong, mainland China, the Philippines, and Taiwan, all expressing strong interest in how new, cleaner production technologies can be beneficial for printers.”
New products and onsite orders
First-time visitor to the Gifts Fair, Sia Yew Ming, Senior Corporate and Trade Marketing Manager, Mediacorp TV Singapore, attended with the goal of sourcing products related to their television programs for potential sale to consumers through convenience stores and bookshops in Singapore. She expressed satisfaction with the vast array of products offered at competitive prices by the numerous suppliers present. On the second day, she placed an order for 500 USBs and 500 power banks. “I’ve encountered many fresh ideas and products here. I’ve identified ten potential suppliers and will be following up with them after the event,” she stated.
B. Food Product International from Thailand markets its food items domestically and internationally, including Asia and Europe, under two main brands: S-Pure and Betagro. Sakhorn Jullarat, the company’s Product and Process Development Director, remarked, “We prioritize the quality and safety of the food we produce daily. This is our first time attending the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair, and we have already identified five potential suppliers for packaging materials for our frozen and chilled food products. We have discovered many interesting packaging products and concepts here. We are planning to return to the fair next year.”
Interested?