In the first half of the year, Zhuzhou’s garment export volume increased by .2 times year-on-year.

Zhuzhou has the largest clothing market group in Central and South China, but it has always focused on domestic sales and rarely goes abroad. With the impact of e-commerce, competition has intensified. Since last year, some Zhuzhou apparel companies have begun to target foreign markets.
On August 5, reporters learned from Zhuzhou Customs that in the first half of this year, Zhuzhou City’s clothing exports reached US$26 million (equivalent to RMB 160 million), a year-on-year increase of 2.1 times.
​
​From “zero export” to 160 million yuan
In a seemingly ordinary office on the 16th floor of Dadi Commercial Plaza in Lusong District, every overseas export business is heard here. In August 2013, with the joint support of the Municipal Commerce Bureau and the Lusong District Government, Jinlusong Garment Import and Export Group was established, becoming the first apparel company in Zhuzhou City to go abroad. In just five months, the company’s total export volume reached more than 10 million yuan that year.
“We are like a platform. After receiving international orders, they are then transferred to Zhuzhou clothing companies for production.” The relevant person in charge of “Jinlusong” said that exporting clothing is different from domestic sales. It is difficult for ordinary companies to figure out the routine and receive orders. , this company mainly helps enterprises build a bridge for export. At present, there are seven or eight manufacturing companies cooperating with “Jinlusong”.
Now, “Jinlusong” has established offices and branches in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and other places, and is preparing to set up branches in Dubai and South America. “Strive to allow Zhuzhou clothing brands to truly go abroad and go global.” said the person in charge.
​
​Fast return, no off-season
​Strengthening exports will help increase the competitiveness of enterprises. The relevant person in charge of “Jinlusong” said that all clothing exports are settled in cash, and the company’s funds return quickly. In addition, “international orders” often have large orders, and one order may contain tens of thousands, or even more than 100,000 pieces, which is far beyond the reach of domestic sales.
In the past, a problem that Zhuzhou’s clothing bosses often faced was that April to June each year was the traditional off-season. There were few orders and workers had no work to do, leaving equipment idle and brain drain. “There is no distinction between off-season and peak season for apparel export. It can maintain normal production of factories all year round and retain talents. According to preliminary calculations, if a medium-sized garment factory has enough export orders, it can increase its output value by more than 25% every year.”
In addition, exported clothing has higher quality requirements, which helps companies improve their production technology and competitiveness. The person in charge of Zhuzhou Customs said that insisting on the joint development of domestic and international markets will be conducive to the clustering of Zhuzhou’s apparel industry and accelerate the speed of industrial agglomeration. It is also of great significance for undertaking the transfer of the apparel industry in the eastern coastal areas and adjusting the industrial structure.
​
​When going abroad, brand is the key
Although Zhuzhou City’s garment exports are developing rapidly, there are still many problems. There is still a long way to go to truly achieve internationalization.
“Currently, Zhuzhou’s clothing manufacturing companies have not yet gone global in the form of brands, and most of them are engaged in OEM.” Jiang Lin, a teacher in the Department of Economics and Management of Hunan Vocational and Technical College of Chemical Industry, once conducted a special survey on Zhuzhou City’s clothing exports. She introduced that the products exported by Zhuzhou garment companies are mainly mid- to low-end products with low added value.
“Without a good brand, it is difficult to attract foreign businessmen.” Jiang Lin said that after more than 30 years of development, Lusong Clothing has produced some local brands, but its popularity is still not enough, and brand is the key to going abroad. “Zhuzhou also needs to cultivate and introduce high-level professional clothing design talents to create local famous clothing brands.”
The relevant person in charge of “Jinlusong” also said that the company will have the opportunity to receive high-end orders, but because Zhuzhou companies have difficulty in production, they have to give up. “The lack of well-known brands and industry talents is an important reason that restricts the export of local clothing brands.”