Seoul International Sourcing Fair

Overview:

Started as a promotional gifts exhibition in 1991, the Seoul International Sourcing Fair has evolved into a global manufacturing and distribution B2B event, supporting market expansion for a wide range of consumer products. While maintaining its legacy as one of the top B2B trade shows, it has steadily transformed into a trendier fair, appreciated by professional exhibitors and buyers alike. As a UFI-approved exhibition, it facilitates trade between sellers and buyers.

If you’re looking for new opportunities to energize your business and discover connections in Korea, the Seoul International Sourcing Fair is the perfect place to be.

2023 Review:

In 2023, the event featured around 400 booths (including 102 overseas booths) and attracted 3,600 buyers and 11,000 visitors. The exhibitors’ profile included the following sectors: Home & Living (29.8%), Beauty & Fashion (22.6%), Gifts (18.4%), Wellness (6.6%), Solutions (6.1%), Smart (4.4%), Food (4.4%), and Others (7.7%).

These sellers eagerly sought distribution channels and opportunities for overseas export. The buyer profile included wholesalers, retailers, importers and exporters, e-commerce MDs, and store owners looking for unique items and quality manufacturers. According to a survey conducted by the secretariat, the types of buyers included: Buy and Sell (20%), OEM/ODM manufacturing (20%), Overseas distribution (16%), Selling on a consignment basis (15%), Offline & Online launching (15%), Company merchandise purchases (15%), and Others (1%).

Colorful Events:

The fair was enhanced by colorful unit events that added vibrancy to the event’s trendy keynote. In particular, the specially organized ‘Goodstore’ (Merchandise Zone) allowed visitors to explore successful collaborations between conglomerates and merchandise.

By presenting marketing case studies from merchandise companies, visitors were provided with insights into how branding works in current marketing. This zone also featured a special ESG merch zone, showcasing socially conscious products and attracting significant attention. Additionally, the fair hosted seminars on related industries, aiming to create a platform for sharing intellectual assets and enhancing the competitiveness of manufacturing companies.

Product Examples and E-Sourcing Promotions:

Let me briefly introduce a successful matching case from last year’s fair. HEAT FLEX, developed by Mcell, is a safe and optimal surface heating fiber. Utilizing a patented method, carbon nanotubes are printed onto the fiber, allowing for the development of thinner and more comfortable heating products. It can be produced in various sizes and shapes, suitable for multiple electrical environments.

“There were many opportunities to meet not only domestic companies but also various overseas firms at the exhibition. Through the event, we continued our collaboration with two new partners located in China and Singapore. Additionally, the overseas purchasing agency site ‘Brinko,’ which we connected with through the 1:1 Biz Matching Program, provided an opportunity to sell our new products and led to actual sales. Furthermore, the feedback we received from buyers and participants on-site greatly assisted our business. By reflecting on those opinions, our product renewal and shopping mall reconstruction efforts are proving to be very beneficial.” said an official from Mcell in an interview with the Sourcing Fair.

You can check more at the Sourcing Fair website.

Business Matching Program:

There are three types of biz-matching programs available:

Distribution Buyer Consultation: Special sales marketing, wholesale, consignment sales, and distribution. On-site biz matching schedules will be provided based on the companies and products registered in e-Sourcing (sourcingfair.co.kr).
MD Purchase Consultation: Large distribution MDs

Organizer: Korea Merchandiser Association

Approximately 100 large-scale on/offline distribution channel MDs are invited by product category to conduct store placement consultations. (MDs pick products.)

Overseas Buyer Consultation: Overseas export

COEX invites overseas buyers, as well as buyers from the Korea Grand Sourcing Fair and the Tokyo Gift Show in Seoul.

2024, What’s New?

To actively reflect consumer demand, Sourcing Fair has established a new category that includes digital health devices, which are in high demand in Korea amid an aging society. Visitors and buyers will discover diverse ideas and products tailored to aging customers who want to take care of their health with digital devices.

Most importantly, the fair will be co-located with two mega events—the Tokyo Gift Show in Seoul and the Korea Grand Sourcing Fair—at COEX, which is expected to widen the buyer pool through trade with related fairs.

For more detailed information, check out the Sourcing Fair introduction and Fact Sheet attached!

Source your dream in South Korea!