This year, SIOF 2017 drew 97,439 times of visiting from 51 countries and regions, up nearly 30,000 over the previous year, underscoring Shanghai as a prime trading platform for the global eyewear industry
When: 15-17 February, 2017
Where: Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre
Organised by the China Optometric & Optical Association, and co-organised by the Orient International Exhibition Co Ltd The 17th China (Shanghai) International Optics Fair, the most sizeable optical trade fair of Asia, ended on a high note with a record number of visitors attending the three-day event. The fair drew 97,439 times of visiting from 51 countries and regions, up nearly 30,000 over the previous year, underscoring Shanghai as a prime trading platform for the global eyewear industry.
Hall 2 spotlights international brands
The fair took place on 15-17 February 2017 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre again, occupying all the 4 exhibition halls with a massive gross exhibition area of over 80,000 square meters. Same as the previous year, Hall 2 was the prestige international product hall. Halls 1, 3 and 4 are the showcase place for Chinese exhibitors.
In order to facilitates buyers to place orders on their desired products after viewing on site, Procurement Zone is tailor-made for international exhibitors in SIOF 2017. Renowned international exhibitors who have specially acquired space in the Procurement Zone include 101 Studio (Celine Dion, Fairwhale Jeans, Jill Stuart, Levi’s, Mark Fairwhale, New Balance) , Flair, Kalla, Porsche Design and Ports, while others are receiving the customers in their own booth area.
Promoting China’s best innovative eyewear
On the other hand, as Chinese eyewear brands might not be widely recognized by international buyers, the basement area of the SIOF 2017 was set up as the Chinese “Fashion Designers’ Masterpieces Exhibition Hall” while Hall 4 took on the important role of “Boutique Gallery” of Chinese products. Both of them are designated to showcase China’s best innovative eyewear to local and overseas visitors. This help the Chinese exhibitors to build up business partnership with international buyers ,collecting market information and extend their distribution effectively. Some big Chinese companies in Hall 4 including PARIM and WANXIN.
SIOF is always the top and prestigious：
- It is endorsed by China’s Ministry of Commerce as one of the most prestigious exhibitions of the country.
- 1 of the 10 most distinguished exhibitions of the light industry of China recognized by the China National Light Industry Council.
- SIOF editions top the Asian list of 1st class eyewear exhibitions in terms of the number of exhibitors, international brands and scale of exhibition area.
This year’s SIOF gathered a record of 272 international exhibitors from 21 countries and regions, and 376 global brands. 595 Chinese exhibitors participated in the show. As regards international group participation, full support was rendered to SIOF 2017 jointly by Korea Optical Industry Support Centre and Korea Optometric Association.
A total of 44 Korean exhibitors attended and showcased stylish eyewear products, which were one of the highlights of the show. Sizeable regulars such as Bando, Interojo, World Trend, Plan M and GEO were all present. Apart from Korea, the number of exhibitors from Germany is also one of the largest in SIOF 2017. Some of the major German brands participating include: Buhler, Carl Zeiss, IC!Berlin, Mykita, Stepper,Menrad, Flair, Lunor, Markus-T, Optotech, Satisloh, Schneider.
It was a breakthrough that world famous retail chain Alain Afflelou first joined SIOF. Alain Afflelou is a leading European group of eyewear franchises, with a footing in all five continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Australasia) and nearly 1,400 establishments in 13 different countries worldwide.
In 2014, they launched their own Label, graced by the world-glamorous Sharon Stone, now among their best-selling articles. The AFFLELOU group is now growing in three directions: multi-brand with the acquisition of Optical Discount and Optimil for their price positioning; multi-product (frames, lenses, contacts and hearing aids).
Another world class optical company Kering also joined SIOF the first time . Kering is a world leader in apparel and accessories in two fast-growing segments: luxury and sport & lifestyle. Kering Eyewear is the company within the Kering Group totally dedicated to the eyewear category of the different group’s brands. They design, manufacture and market desirable products in more than 100 countries.
Their brands are very well known in the eyewear business including GUCCI, SAINT-LAURENT PARIS, BOTTEGA VENETA , PUMA. And their brands fulfil customers’ desire to express their personalities, and to look and feel good. Currently 17 Kering brands are present in Greater China. The SIOF effectively stimulated the business of many exhibitors in the past years, that’s why many exhibitors applied for a bigger exhibition area, in order to showcase more products.
