Despite the current difficult situation in the Russian garment industry, CPM 2009 – Collection Premiere Moscow, recently ended on an overall positive note: 1,300 brands from 34 countries presented their Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 collections at Eastern Europe's leading international fashion trade fair. With 16,100 buyers there was a slight decline in visitors (1,800 fewer than last year), but a distinct qualification in the visitor structure was noted. The need for information and the search for workable solution processes were the main topics of almost all conversations at the show, indicating that buyers consider CPM an important initiator for the entire Russian clothing industry.

The show organizer and the exhibitors were especially pleased that more than half of the visitors held Executive positions (about 10% more than last year) and one out of four was a first-time visitor. Attendees gave high ratings for the varied assortment of products on display, the quality and relevance of the fashion shows and the overall excellence. According to the preliminary results of an independent market study, a primary reason for the decline in visitor numbers was the reduced travel budgets of many retailers. Smaller buyer teams travelled to Moscow this season, especially from abroad and from the more remote Russian regions.

"We are more than satisfied with the outcome of this CPM. The trade fair was in part far more successful for the exhibitors than expected. We couldn't have predicted this in advance," commented Philipp Kronen, Managing Partner of the Igedo Company, the organizer of CPM 2009. "All major buyers came to Moscow, which was not a given considering the tense situation on the Russian market. The industry utilized the trade fair as an information platform and as a source of inspiration. People talked to each other more than usual and the success of our seminar program showed how much information is currently needed in the market. The Russian retail is working very hard to adapt to the changing conditions and sees numerous opportunities for the future. This gives me hope that the storm will abate somewhat in the coming year."

Dr. Michele Puller, Chairman of the Board of Miro Radici AG, the largest German exhibitor at CPM, agreed: "We are very satisfied with the outcome of the trade fair. All of our customers visited us at CPM, even though there was as expected a decline in orders. Nonetheless, we will not leave our customers out in the rain. Russia was and still is an important market and CPM is its primary platform."

The Italian companies, who represented the second largest exhibitor contingent after Germany, also gave positive reviews. "In difficult times such as these, Italian labels will do everything they can to maintain their position in the Russian market," explained Antonio Gavazzeni, President of Ente Moda Italia (E.M.I.). "E.M.I. and its exhibitors believe in the importance of the Russian market and the charisma of CPM. For this reason we even expanded our activities at the trade fair this season. We are happy with the outcome of the trade fair and will continue on our current path."

The next CPM will take place from September 6 – 9, 2009 in Moscow. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at CPM 2009, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com. Or visit the web site www.mdna.com, www.igedo.com or www.cpm-moscow.com .