Global Sources' Private Sourcing Events see strong buyer and supplier support in 2012 despite uncertain economic conditions

HONG KONG, December 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Sources (NASDAQ: GSOL) today announced the success of its Private Sourcing Events in 2012 with more than 320 sourcing teams from over 100 unique buying organizations attending. These events created invaluable opportunities for Greater China suppliers to reach out and sell to volume buyers even under the current uncertain economic environment.

Private Sourcing Events help both buyers and suppliers alike by matching internationally renowned, volume buyers with pre-screened suppliers who are able to reliably deliver quality products. "The continuing participation by big brands year on year proves the success of these events," said Spenser Au, CEO of Global Sources.

Amongst the organizations that have used Private Sourcing Events to find new suppliers are 32 of the world's top 100 retailers and key buyers such as Amazon.com, Auchan, Dollar General, Gloria Jeans, Li & Fung, OSRAM, Primark, Staples, Stockmann Group, William E. Connor & Associates and Woolworths Australia. In 2012 alone, over 1,500 high quality, one-on-one selling opportunities took place between buyers and suppliers.

One buyer, continental commodity business manager of OSRAM China Lighting, Kevin Kou, commented: "Private Sourcing Events facilitate a more efficient means of sourcing as it saves us the time and effort of screening a huge pool of suppliers. A lot of suppliers we met were reliable and capable of meeting our requirements in terms of volume, quality and on-time delivery."

"Even during challenging economic conditions, consumers still make purchases and hence buyers continue to source. However, there is naturally more caution in the air and Private Sourcing Events help buyers streamline their sourcing function by introducing them to quality suppliers whom they can rely on," explained Au. "For suppliers, this platform is hugely helpful by linking them with long-established and financially stable buyers who purchase in large volume but may otherwise be difficult to reach."

One participating supplier, general manager of Shenzhen Yes-Hope Co., Jenny Su, said: "The events provide an opportunity to meet some of the world's leading volume buyers on a single day, allowing us to present our unique proposition and to better understand their purchasing preferences through face-to-face discussions. The global background of buyers joining this event also matches our goal of tapping into overseas markets."

World's top buyers scheduled to attend upcoming Private Sourcing Events

Over 40 Private Sourcing Events are planned for the first half of 2013 with some of the biggest buyers in developed and emerging markets scheduled to participate including Carrefour, El Corte Ingles, Okaidi and Store Twenty One. All Private Sourcing Events are complimentary for qualified buyers and only Global Sources suppliers are eligible to participate. More information about Private Sourcing Events is available at http://www.PrivateSourcingEvents.com.

Suppliers wishing to participate should contact csm@globalsources.com.

Specialized Global Sources websites, face-to-face events, trade magazines and research reports

Private Sourcing Events are part of Global Sources' sourcing and product information services. These include Global Sources Online (http://www.globalsources.com), China Sourcing Fairs (http://www.chinasourcingfair.com), Global Sources monthly print and digital magazines (http://www.globalsources.com/SITE/MAGAZINES.HTM) and China Sourcing Report (http://www.chinasourcingreports.com).

For more information about Global Sources' products and services to connect quality buyers and quality suppliers, visit http://www.corporate.globalsources.com.

About Global Sources

Global Sources is a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China.

The core business facilitates trade between Asia and the world using English-language media such as online marketplaces (http://www.globalsources.com), print and digital magazines, sourcing research reports, private sourcing events, trade shows, and online sourcing fairs.

Over 1.18 million international buyers, including 90 of the world's top 100 retailers, use these services to obtain product and company information to help them source more profitably from overseas supply markets. These services also provide suppliers with integrated marketing solutions to build corporate image, generate sales leads and win orders from buyers in more than 240 countries and territories.

Global Sources' other businesses provides Chinese-language media to companies selling to and within Greater China. These services include online web sites, print and digital magazines, seminars and trade shows. In mainland China, Global Sources has a network of more than 30 office locations and a community of over 4 million registered online users and magazine readers of its Chinese-language media.

Now in its fifth decade, Global Sources has been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2000.