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:
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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. |
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Even though many companies are producing
upmarket designs, low-end luggage will continue to be China's
mainstay for the next several years. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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