When looking purely at the events of PREVIEW, last summer was very successful. "The fair is fun and enjoyable, but you hope that it is also successful for the business at the bottom line," explains Verschure when discussing the summer for the fashion industry as a whole. "Of course, we don’t ignore what’s happening in retail. Entrepreneurs have to do more to maintain the results they had, and even that doesn’t guarantee success."

Precisely because of the market instability, PREVIEW remains committed to the concept of "a reasonably affordable event where everything is product-focused." "We often receive feedback that the focus on the product is such a breath of fresh air. We emphasize to everyone working on the event that it’s all about the people who attend and the exhibitors who are there. They need to be relieved of stress and be able to focus on buying and selling."

The trade show season for FW25 will see several changes. For instance, the men's fashion trade show Shift is now on the agenda. "When thorough market research shows a demand for additional buying events, I encourage people to organize them. It’s also important for brands that, for example, don’t find a fit with PREVIEW to have a place," says Verschure when asked about this.


Professionalization at PREVIEW: Time Savings are Utilized to Further Support Brands

Since the inception of the PREVIEW trade shows, the events have established a strong position in the calendars of many buyers. As the events and planning grew, so did the need for a professionalization behind the scenes. "We began improving processes in terms of setting up the trade shows," explains Verschure. Starting January 1st, a system update will be implemented to make all software systems work more efficiently. "Of course, we’re a unique company because we engage in many different activities." CAST is, after all, an Exhibitors' Association for over 100 showrooms, event organization, meeting facilities, collection launches, and a digital B2B portal, making it a complete trade platform for the industry. "As a result, we have many different modules and systems. The update will allow us to assist people more quickly and scale information from all stakeholders more efficiently. This includes everything from HR to trade show setup." The CEO mentions that the time saved through these improvements will be invested in providing better support to the brands they collaborate with.

PREVIEW continues to grow. The upcoming season will offer more space for additional stands. The venue is currently undergoing construction, freeing up an additional 300 square meters for the trade shows. Over 50 extra brands will be accommodated as a result. "We will place stands both within the building [of the organizer CAST] and on the exhibition floor itself." The trade show floors are located in a specific section of the building in Nieuwegein. "We are creating a full routing and will make some adjustments to the layout of the trade shows," says Verschure.

For example, a section dedicated to more sustainable brands will be positioned near the entrance. "It’s important that these brands receive a separate platform. I think many buyers aren’t even aware that they are purchasing from a quite sustainable brand. It’s good to raise awareness about this. Sustainability is no longer just about 'hippie' brands; these are companies that are very commercially driven but do so with a different ethos."


CEO Behind the PREVIEW Trade Shows: "Dare to Differentiate with Your Purchasing"

The sustainability aspect may become even more prominent in PREVIEW's portfolio. There are ideas for an event specifically focused on this topic. However, it would be more of an informative gathering rather than a buying event. "Informative in terms of purchasing and collection development." The idea is still in its early stages, as becomes clear during the conversation. "The question will be whether we focus purely on product or on overall business processes. The saying ‘shoemaker, stick to your last’ still holds, so we mainly want to facilitate events within the fields of buying and selling." Conversations are already underway with Circular Textile Days to explore potential collaboration. "We have stated that we won’t compete with Circular Textile Days, but I do believe something is missing within the trade shows. I’d rather team up with Circular Textile Days than reinvent the wheel myself." Whether a sustainability event from PREVIEW will materialize remains to be seen, but it certainly sounds interesting, given the success of the other trade shows.

How does Verschure view the upcoming season? What are his expectations for the industry? "The start of the winter season has been very poor, which has caused delays. This will have an impact on the buying for winter '25." He also offers advice: "Buyers should focus on where they can bring innovation alongside the established players. Differentiating your purchasing from your neighbor is becoming increasingly important." According to Verschure, consumers are increasingly looking for individuality. "It’s important that the choice is more diverse, not just focusing on what brands have in common in their collections (and what your neighbor is buying), but daring to differentiate your purchases. I believe consumers will demand this much more in the future."

Curious about the PREVIEW events? Visit the website and register.

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