SA cosmetics companies target Italian trade fair
SOUTH African cosmetics manufacturers participating in the Cosmoprof Worldwide exhibition have arrived in Bologna in Italy to showcase their health and beauty products, the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) said at the weekend.
“Cosmoprof Worldwide is a trade fair for the beauty industry. It is intended for beauticians, hairdressers, owners of nail salons, beauty salons, shops for natural products, and perfume. Buyers, wholesalers, and manufacturers of beauty products are also represented at the fair,” the dti said.
Speaking ahead of the opening ceremony, Cape Town-based Bellabaci general manager Nicolette Schonken said the company’s aim for the show was to find more distribution channels from countries visiting the show.
“We supply our body oil products to the professional and retail market back at home. Our intention is to target the same clientele in Europe. In the next few days we will be meeting our European distributors to come and test our new products that we launched recently. This will assist in strengthening our relationship and building trust,” Schonken said.
High Rollers Trading and Projects representative Karien Jafta said the Johannesburg-based company’s objective for the trade fair was to get distributors for their Cancer Bush capsules, tea, and drops to target the European market.
“We are looking at expanding our footprint into Italy and the rest of Europe. I have also set up two meetings with potential clients from Ghana and Italy who I have been in contact with prior to the show.
“The network opportunities are endless in these types of platforms, I am optimistic that I won’t leave Italy without a trade lead,” she said.
The trade fair would encompass export seminars, business-to-business meetings, and site visits, the dit said.
Participation of companies had been made possible by the dti through its export marketing and investment assistance scheme, which aims to increase exports of South African manufactured products to Italy and beyond.