| China's
luggage export industry has been experiencing steady
growth over the past couple of years. After a 15
percent increase in exports in 2003, the country
shipped out close to US$4 billion worth of luggage
last year, up 18.5 percent from the prior year.
Exports continue to grow, with sales in the first
seven months of 2005 increasing 7.5 percent to
US$2.4 billion.
Prices have been increasing because of higher raw
material costs. But more makers in China are also
exporting higher value luggage to move away from
keen price competition in the low end.
| The following
are some of the key trends we see in China's
luggage industry:
|
| • |
More suppliers are expected
to expand into upscale production in coming
months. Makers that have already shifted
into midrange and high-end manufacture are
experiencing robust growth. This has
encouraged many luggage makers to venture
into these segments as well. |
|
| • |
Even though many companies
are producing upmarket designs, low-end
luggage will continue to be China's mainstay
for the next several years. |
|
| • |
Rising material costs will
still have a major impact on prices.
Regardless of product focus, the majority of
suppliers will be increasing prices by up to
15 percent in coming months. |
|
| • |
Although softside luggage
will remain China's largest export product
in the line, shipments of hybrid models are
expected to increase. More makers are
venturing into the production of hybrid
luggage, which combines the strengths of
soft and hardside models. |
|
| • |
Buyers can expect lighter
and more durable luggage from China in
coming months as more makers are now using
stronger materials that can also reduce
overall weight. |
|
China luggage makers produce softside, hardside
and hybrid models. These are also the scope of this
report.
While most suppliers offer a range of luggage
across all categories, some specialize in one or two
lines. More than half of the suppliers in this
report make at least two types of luggage, with
about one-third making all product categories for
export. Suppliers focusing on only one type of
luggage usually offer softside models.
Of those suppliers offering at least two types of
luggage, about two-thirds focus on softside models
as well. While there are companies focusing on
hardside luggage, none of the suppliers in this
report manufacture only hybrid models.
The features and prices of each kind of luggage
are discussed according to low end, midrange and
high end in the Products & Prices section.
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