Baby sweaters: Makers enhance releases, provide flexible terms

Under efforts to boost competitiveness, manufacturers of children sweaters in China are investing in product upgrades and revising export strategies.

Amid the economic slowdown, buyers from key markets, including the US, the EU and Japan, have been purchasing smaller quantities while asking for steeper discounts. Companies were compelled to decrease prices by at least 2 percent in the past six months despite narrow profit margins and rising material costs to revive business. Overseas sales of children garments, however, reached only $1 billion during that period, about 10 percent lower YoY.

To attract more orders, suppliers are increasing output of models with added features. Most new releases are machine-washable, and shrink- and wrinkle-resistant. Some do not require ironing anymore. Pilling is prevented by adopting longer fibers or through chemical treatments.

Additionally, a number of enterprises are introducing models that protect against UV rays. Incorporating this function raises costs by 20 percent, therefore causing quotes to go up as well.

Sweater styles are also updated regularly. Design teams, which consist of three to 10 members, attend exhibitions in Paris, Italy and Sweden to get the latest trends in garments and fabrics. Further, they consult with clients, and gather data from fashion magazines and websites.

Keeping in mind the changes in buyer behavior, companies are becoming more flexible regarding MOQ, delivery time and payment terms. Some now accept orders between 300 and 500 pieces, when in the past purchases should be at least 1,000.

Shipment has also been shortened from 60 to 45 days. Material preparation and production processes are streamlined for faster turnaround.

Moreover, some makers have become amenable to 60-day credit periods backed by an L/C, although this can be a cause of financial strain. Payments via TT or L/C at sight were typical prior to the economic slump.

There are currently about 3,000 suppliers of children sweaters in China. The majority is involved in mixed production, offering adult sizes and other types of garments suitable for young people.

Zhejiang is the country largest hub in the line, accounting for more than half of national output. The province has an abundant resource of materials and labor.

Many companies are located in Puyuan, a town in Jiaxing city with about 30 years?experience in making sweaters. Enterprises in the area boast a mature production chain that includes spinning, knitting, dyeing, finishing and inspection. They usually build partnerships with local universities for R&D and marketing.

China-made children sweaters can come in various materials. Pullover and cardigan styles are available.

Cotton is used because it is breathable, moisture-absorbent and warmth-retentive. Acrylic is preferred for its light weight and durability, while wool is popular for being hypoallergenic and naturally moisture-wicking. These are sometimes blended with other fibers, including nylon, spandex and cashmere.

Models are knitted on 6 to 16GG machines. Weighing between 100 and 300gsm, designs typically have a cable, honeycomb or jacquard pattern.

While fabric applique, beads and sequins can be adopted as trimming, most makers opt to decorate their releases with embroidery. Apart from being durable and child-safe, the last is more cost-efficient than other types of adornment. Cartoon characters and animal motifs are commonly employed.

Yarn and other components are procured domestically, with Jiangsu, Shandong, Zhejiang, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia as the main sourcing locations.

Under efforts to ensure quality, many companies require lab dips for color approval, and samples for physical and tactile inspections before making bulk purchases. They also request for certification that materials meet GB standards.

In addition, some makers send fiber swatches to third-party institutions such as SGS and Intertek for further tests.

Finished products are examined as well to determine dimensional stability, colorfastness, pilling and shrinkage resistance, and tear and tensile strength.

Increasing environmental awareness in key markets is urging many suppliers to take the eco-friendly route. Apart from complying with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and EN requirements, manufacturers are lessening the use of harmful chemicals in dyeing, printing and finishing. Substances containing alkylphenol ethoxylates, for instance, are now generally avoided because the compound is said to be a pollutant.

The type of material, trimming and finishing adopted are the main price determinants for children sweaters. Products knitted by means of manual or mechanical flatbeds are also less expensive than those processed by computerized machines.

Low-end models, which come in pure acrylic or acrylic-cotton, are between $2 and $4. They typically have minimal embellishments.

Upscale releases boast more trimming and elaborate embroidery. Going for $5 to $7, midrange designs can be made of 100 percent cotton. The fiber is sometimes blended with acrylic, rayon or wool.

Pure wool and cashmere are popular material choices for high-end sweaters, which range from $8 to $14.

Some models undergo treatment for added functional properties, including radiation resistance.

This article "Baby sweaters: Makers enhance releases, provide flexible terms" is originally posted in Global Sources.

Jiaxing Mengdi Import & Export Co. Ltd (Sweater Branch)
Shanghai B&K Co. Ltd
Zhejiang Orient Creation Imp. & Exp. Corp.