Kastoria Fair Called Success, Russia Still Biggest Customer, Trade Ponders: 2 Greek Fairs?, Final N. Amer. Sales Seen Strong

THE GREEK FUR FAIR LAST WEEK ENDED THIS YEAR’S MOSTLY SUCCESSFUL SERIES THAT BEGAN IN BEIJING IN JANUARY AND SPANNED THREE CONTINENTS BEFORE ITS CONCLUSION. As prime sources for retailers and others making plans for the fall-winter season ahead, the overall indication appears to be positive, that retailers are confident of healthy demand for their wares. Although Russia continued to flex its still-growing financial muscles as a major buyer, followed by former Eastern satellites and such markets as Korea and Japan, the huge Chinese market is yet to be heard from, but their buying schedule normally starts later and is expected to be at least as strong as it was last year because of its continuing growth.

RETAILERS WHO HAVE BEEN EDGING THEIR WAY INTO SELLING FURS ON THE INTERNET HAVE BEEN REPORTING GRADUAL SUCCESS, ESPECIALLY WITH MODERATE-PRICED ACCESSORIES AND STANDARD-SIZE ITEMS. Now, they’ll be facing competition not only from other furriers, but from Amazon, the giant online retailer. Having found success in the publishing, electronics and toy fields – much to the unhappiness of brickand-mortar stores – Amazon has set its sights on the luxury fashion field, including top designer lines. In a published interview last week, the company’s chief executive said it was making a “significant” investment in fashion to convince top brands that it wanted to work with them, not against them. Amazon has already signed hundreds of brands, among them Michael Kors, Vivienne Westwood and Catherine Malandrino.

NEW FRONTIERS DEPT.: Iceland is looking to join the ranks of major mink producers like its sister Scandinavian countries. It has consistently produced about 150,000 pelts a year but, eyeing the soaring price trend and profit potential, is looking for farmers elsewhere to expand their operations by establishing farms there. With a government that is friendly to fur farming – in contrast to some governments that are not (Holland, for one) – and favorable conditions, the state agency Isslandstofa has been courting potential investors in Denmark, Holland and elsewhere. Project manager Einar Hansen Tómasson, citing the government’s dedication to the program and low production costs, expects steady growth in Icelandic mink farming for many years.

Sandy Parker Reports is weekly International Fur News. Sandy Parker has been covering the fur industry for over 45 years. For the last 33 years he has published a weekly newsletter, detailing results of all the major international pelt auctions, wholesale price trends, business developments and movements within the trade, as well as economic and political activities that may impact on it.

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