Unlike in the other similar exhibition shows held over the past eight years, wherein bulk of the clientele were purely consumer retail buyers, now, it evolved into a wholesale bazaar, although it continuously caters the consumer or end-user market, said organizer Lilibeth Ducut-Abais.
According to Abais, the Cebu market, including the visitors for the Sinulog festival have realized the opportunity to take advantage of the Sinulog Export Overrun exhibit, wherein it showcases hard-top-find products from over the country in one venue.
Abais said, she noticed a growing number of wholesale buyers from Visayas and Mindanao, also those from Luzon who are making deals with the exhibitors for long term supply business partnership.
Significantly, the balikbayan-community, who are visiting Cebu primarily for the festival, have seen the potential of doing business with the exhibitors. Aside from buying Filipino-made products, some balikbayans have also taken the opportunity of making bulk orders.
This yearly event organized by L.A. Ducut and Company, Inc. gathers some of the best indigenous finds in the regions, including delicate embroideries from Laguna, carvings from Baguio, wood crafts from Palawan, bamboo products from Southern Leyte, dried flowers from Saranggani Province, and furniture from Cebu.
"Cebu, being the center for trade in Southern Philippines has contributed to the success of this annual event. And now, the show has not just attracted retail consumers, but also the wholesale buyers," Abais said in an interview.
"We are committed to bringing to Cebu every Sinulog the best of the regions, not only to promote Filipino products, but to add a different character and shopping experience to the Sinulog festivity," she added.
This year's bazaar which opened on January 12 and will run until the 22nd, has drawn a number of new exhibitors who brought with them fresh bazaar finds like affordable Pakistan-made fashion accessories and poncho by Rainstorm and Bangkok-imported garments by RS Espiritu, Aside from bazaar staples like handicrafts from Palawan, export-quality leather bags by Vedasto, Cebu-based exporters like Ish Fashion Accessories, KCL Kecyl Export Philippines, El Niño Fashion Accessories Export Manufacturing, VSA Silhouette and Cebu Gifts and Fine Arts have all made their presence felt this year, she emphasized.
Over the years, the bazaar has been a favorite stopover among tourists looking for affordable finds. It is also the place to be for fashionistas looking for branded garments and accessories at reasonable prices. "This year, more garment-selling exhibitors have joined the bazaar, giving shoppers more options and reasons to update one's closet. Companies like Orig D2, Caruz, X.O. Garments, LML Excess Fashion, Beltex Trading and May 2 Fashion offer a wide range of export-quality children's wear, sportswear, men's and ladies' apparel and corporate fashion," she said.