WSN Développement eyes stronger ties with Asian buyers
Confronted by a renewed drop in visitor attendance at the most recent edition of Première Classe and Paris Sur Mode -- coupled with the unsteady calm of the last Fashion Week season -- WSN Développement is on the hunt for a solution to attract more buyers. And with the key to growth being a boost in international attendance, a focus on Asia looks to unlock this. Under-represented in the tradeshow halls, in comparison to the number of brands coming out of Asia, buyers from China, Japan and South Korea in particular are at the heart of a new strategy lead by the tradeshow organiser.
Hence, since the month of January, WSN Développement has placed a permanent representative on the Asian continent. With the firm already being promoted by agents there, the French group is now strengthening its presence with the appointment of Jean-François Nicholaï, as head of business development in Asia. Nicholaï, now based in Taiwan, has worked for Who's Next-Première Classe since 2010, previously serving as head of VIP buyers before taking on his new functions.
Attracting new clients, such as specific Chinese concept-stores, as well as strengthening relationships with those already known to the firm, will be Nicholaï's mission.
WSN Développement is also preparing to launch new activities aimed toward buyers from three main countries -- China, Japan and South Korea. Undisclosed for now, these future initiatives are intended to link the tradeshow and its brands with Asian buyers and help establish appointments in Paris during the seasonal Fashion Week.
In Paris, the position formerly held by Jean-François Nicholaï dedicated to VIP buyers was reassigned by WSN Développement to Patricia Chelin, who until then had been in charge of "personal shopping" services at the shows.
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