Introduction
China’s socks and hosiery industry plays a pivotal role in the global market, supplying a vast array of socks that meet diverse needs and preferences. As the world’s leading manufacturer and exporter of socks, China hosts numerous exhibitions that showcase the latest trends, innovations, and technologies in the hosiery sector. The chart below shows the sock export figures for the top 3 countries globally over the past decade, highlighting that China is far ahead of the competition (Source: Xinhua News (English Edition)).
While the Canton Fair is a well-known platform, the increasing difficulty in booth application and stricter document review in recent years have resulted in a higher proportion of trading companies and fewer factories participating. This article explores a range of specialized Chinese sock exhibitions, offering valuable insights and tips to help you find the right partners.
Comprehensive Overview of Socks Exhibitions in China
I will list the sock exhibitions in each province or region below, starting with those that exclusively focus on socks.
SHANGHAI
Established in 2006, the Shanghai International Hosiery Purchasing Expo (CHPE) is an annual trade fair every March in Shanghai. Covering an exhibition area of 50,000 square meters, the expo showcases a wide range of socks, from cotton socks to silk stockings. Additionally, suppliers of sock raw materials and accessories also participated in the event. Here’s the photo we attended last time.
HAINING, ZHUJI, HANGZHOU, ZHEJIANG PROVINCE
Datang Street in Zhuji City boasts the world’s most comprehensive sock industry supply chain and is the largest sock production base globally, accounting for about 35% of global sock production and 70% of China’s output. It is known as the ‘International Sock Capital.’ The China International Hosiery Industry Expo in Zhuji was established in 1999 and is held every September in Zhuji, covering an exhibition area of 20,000 square meters.
Like Zhuji, Haining is also known as a sock industry hub, but it follows a mid-to-high-end quality route, leading to different market positioning between the two regions. The Haining Hosiery Expo was established in 2019 and is held twice a year, but in two different locations. It takes place in Haining every February and in Hangzhou every June. The Hangzhou exhibition features a broader range of products beyond just socks, including apparel accessories and an e-commerce section.
LIAOYUAN, JILIN PROVINCE
Those familiar with the sock industry know about Zhuji and Haining, but may not be as familiar with Liaoyuan. In the 1960s, Liaoyuan was famous for its coal and textile industries. However, starting in the 1990s, coal resources began to deplete, hindering economic growth. In 2005, the Northeast Sock Textile Industrial Park was built, and with government and national policy support, it successfully achieved industrial transformation and became a sock production base.
The Liaoyuan International Hosiery Expo was established in 2012 and is held every July, covering an exhibition area of approximately 30,000 square meters.
The above are the five major sock-focused exhibitions in China. Next, I will introduce exhibitions related to socks, where socks are a secondary focus alongside other primary products.
SHANGHAI
Shanghai hosts the following three related exhibitions:
SPINEXPO Shanghai International Fashion Yarn Exhibition: Established in 2003, this exhibition primarily features garments, knitwear, socks, sportswear, and loungewear. It covers an area of 30,000 square meters and is also held twice a year, in March and August.
East China Fair: Established in 1991, the exhibition covers a range of products including apparel, fabrics, decorative gifts, daily necessities, and socks. The exhibition area spans 110,000 square meters and is held once a year in March.
PH Value Knitting Expo: Founded in 2012, this exhibition showcases a wide variety of products, including knitwear, woolen sweaters, cashmere sweaters, fancy yarns, hats, scarves, underwear, loungewear, knitted fashion, and socks. The exhibition area is 120,000 square meters, with two editions held annually in March and August.
DALIAN, LIAONING PROVINCE
The Dalian International Textile Fabric, Accessories, and Yarn Expo is held every September, covering an exhibition area of around 40,000 square meters. The expo features garments and apparel, fabrics and accessories, textile yarns, garment manufacturing, printing industry, packaging, home textiles, and socks.
GUANGZHOU, SHENZHEN, GUANGDONG PROVINCE
Canton Fair, the most famous trade fair in Guangzhou, has been held since 1957. It takes place twice a year, typically in April and October, with each session lasting for one week and divided into three phases. The first phase focuses on auto parts, chemicals, hardware, and building materials; the second phase features daily commodities, decorations, gifts, and toys; and the third phase covers apparel, textiles, socks, home textiles, sports and leisure goods, bags, shoes, and hats. The fair spans an impressive 620,000 square meters and is held in the world’s largest exhibition complex.
The Shenzhen International Fashion Supply Chain Expo was established in 2001 and is held every November. The exhibition covers a wide range of products, from yarns, fabrics, and accessories to garments, underwear, socks, shoes, and bags. The exhibition area spans 80,000 square meters.
HANGZHOU, ZHEJIANG PROVINCE
The China (Hangzhou) International Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Expo (Winter) was established in 2000 and is held every June in Hangzhou. The exhibition features a full range of products, including fabrics, accessories, yarns, garments, socks, underwear, hats, scarves, and gloves. The exhibition area exceeds 80,000 square meters.
I have organized the following table for easier viewing. The highlighted ones are exhibitions primarily focused on socks. Please note that the exhibition dates may sometimes change; the exact dates should be confirmed on the official websites of each exhibition.
| Exhibition Name | City | Established | Exhibition Dates | Product Categories | Exhibition Area |
| Shanghai International Hosiery Purchasing Expo | Shanghai | 2006 | March | Socks, Sock Raw Materials, Accessories | 50,000㎡ |
| SPINEXPO Shanghai International Fashion Yarn Exhibition | Shanghai | 2003 | March, August | Garments, Knitwear, Socks, Sportswear, Loungewear | 30,000㎡ |
| East China Fair | Shanghai | 1991 | March | Apparel, Fabrics, Decorative Gifts, Daily Necessities, Socks | 110,000㎡ |
| PH Value Knitting Expo | Shanghai | 2012 | March, August | Knitwear, Sweaters, Yarns, Hats, Scarves, Underwear, Socks | 120,000㎡ |
| China International Hosiery Industry Expo | Zhuji | 1999 | September | Socks | 20,000㎡ |
| Haining Hosiery Expo (Haining & Hangzhou) | Haining,Hangzhou | 2019 | February (Haining), June (Hangzhou) | Socks, Apparel Accessories | 20,000 ㎡(Haining), 30,000 ㎡(Hangzhou) |
| China (Hangzhou) International Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Expo (Winter) | Hangzhou | 2000 | June | Fabrics, Accessories, Yarns, Garments, Socks, Underwear, Hats, Scarves, Gloves | 80,000㎡ |
| Liaoyuan International Hosiery Expo | Liaoyuan | 2012 | July | Socks | 30,000㎡ |
| Dalian International Textile Fabric, Accessories, and Yarn Expo | Dalian | 2006 | September | Garments, Apparel, Fabrics, Accessories, Textile Yarns, Home Textiles, Socks | 40,000㎡ |
| Canton Fair | Guangzhou | 1957 | April, October | All catagories | 620,000㎡ |
| Shenzhen International Fashion Supply Chain Expo | Shenzhen | 2001 | November | Yarns, Fabrics, Accessories, Garments, Underwear, Socks, Shoes, Bags | 80,000㎡ |
Tips for Navigating Socks Exhibitions in China
The table clearly shows that there are sock trade shows happening almost every month throughout the year. If you’re planning a trip to China to source sock manufacturers, this table can be a helpful guide. I’ve included a map highlighting the locations of these trade shows for your convenience.
March appears to be the peak month for sock-related shows, so it might be a good time to plan your visit. For those looking to attend trade shows in the second half of the year, the Canton Fair is a popular choice. Our factory typically exhibits our socks in the third phase of the Canton Fair, which is usually held in late October or early November.
When visiting exhibitions, you may want to know how to distinguish between trading companies and factories. One of the key indicators is the socks range. Generally, trading companies tend to have a more diverse selection of products. They might offer not only socks but also other unrelated items, or they might showcase all types of socks without clear categorization. On the other hand, factories usually focus on specific types of socks with more detailed categorization.
Additionally, don’t hesitate to directly ask the exhibitors if they are a factory and where their production facility is located. Understanding the origin of the products can provide further insight. I have previously written an article about different sock production regions, you can click here to check out.
For us, we usually attend China International Hosiery Purchasing Expo, the spring and autumn Canton Fair, and some other related shows worldwide. Here’s a vlog when we attended the Dubai Show. If you want to know us more, just review our website: www.icompressionsocks.com, and feel free to visit our factory anytime!
FAQ
1. Where is the absolute heart of China’s sock industry located?
The undisputed center is Datang Town in Zhuji City. Often called the “Sock Capital of the World,” this single area is responsible for producing an incredible one-third of all socks worn globally. For anyone serious about sourcing socks, understanding Datang is absolutely essential for your business.
2. What is the most important trade fair for sourcing socks and other goods in China?
The Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) in Guangzhou is China’s largest and most famous trade show. While it covers many industries, its textile phases are a vital destination for sock importers to connect directly with a vast number of experienced manufacturers and suppliers in one place.
3. Are all major sock and textile fairs held in one city?
No, major exhibitions are held in key business hubs across China. While the Canton Fair is in Guangzhou, other important textile and hosiery fairs take place in cities like Shanghai and Yiwu. It is crucial to research and confirm each event’s specific location when planning your sourcing trip.
4. What makes China the undisputed global leader in sock manufacturing?
China’s leadership comes from its highly efficient and massive textile industry, combined with competitive production costs. This powerful combination allows the country to produce an enormous variety of socks—from basic cotton to advanced athletic designs—at a scale and price point that is currently unmatched globally.
5. Besides the huge Canton Fair, are there any specialized sock exhibitions?
Yes. For a more focused experience, consider specialized regional shows like the China Yiwu International Hosiery & Garment Industries Fair. These events provide deeper access to suppliers who specialize specifically in socks and related items, offering a more targeted and efficient sourcing experience for your business.