ISPO Shanghai: A barometer of China's fitness industry

For sports fans, ISPO Shanghai is a must-attend event where they can keep up with the latest trends in the industry and try on some new gadgets and sportswear.

ISPO Shanghai, one of the major trade fairs in fitness industry, drew more than 15,600 visitors to more than 450 exhibitors and 500 brands from July 5 to July 7.

Exhibitors see ISPO Shanghai as a crucial gateway to Chinese market. Italian brand UYN, a regular face at ISPO Munich, traveled eastward this year to present its new collections at ISPO Shanghai, displaying increasing interest in China's booming fitness industry.

"ISPO Shanghai represents a great opportunity to expand our business in China to gain visibility. And we are very happy to be here," said UYN marketing manager Mattia Bazzoni.

The brand, supplier of eight national ski teams with their socks and baselayers, has already been gearing up for China's growing winter sportswear market potential ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

"We are confident in the fact that the next Winter Olympic Games will represent for us a great opportunity for visibility. And we are also confident that we can help the best athletes in the world to gain a lot of medals," Bazzoni added.

This year's event also saw more classifications of products that promise to dazzle visitors with customized apparel for different sports. Runners and cyclists might end up buying socks. Visitors who may just want some topwear may eventually buy a top-end baselayer.

Industry insiders also said the companies now are shifting their role from sports equipment provider to service.

"We need to offer not only good sports equipment, but also offer good service to our potential customers and all the Chinese fans of outdoor sports activities," said Remigio Brunelli, managing director of TECNICA Group China.

Introducing their brand Mico, Brunelli added that their technical sportswear were designed to "make sportsmen feel more comfortable" by improving blood circulation and muscle protection.