Three regions, three strengths.

For anyone working with textile or pet products in Europe, the practical sourcing map is three regions: India, China and Europe itself. Most buyers pick one — usually wherever they happen to know somebody. That works for a single product line. For a full collection it doesn't, because each region is good at something different.

India carries woven work and artisanal finishing. Rattan, wicker, basket weaving, jacquard with chenille yarn — anything that needs hand skill sits in workshops there across generations. Production is scalable: a workshop that weaves for your brand can also handle 5,000 pieces. Lead times are longer — 12 to 16 weeks from confirmation is typical — and the first run almost always needs an on-the-ground visual check.

China carries volume and engineering. Fillings, frames, zips, foam — anything that needs precision and repeatability. A Chinese factory delivers more predictably at scale than any other region. The downside: less room for small series with character, and you pay heavily for bespoke under 1,000 pieces per colourway.

Europe comes in when lead time matters more than unit cost. Short lines — Portugal, Poland, Italy, the Netherlands itself — deliver in 4 to 6 weeks, with certification (Oeko-Tex, GOTS) sorted and the option to re-order mid-season. Premium pricing, but a collection you don't have to forecast months in advance.

In practice: one supplier per category rarely works. A working collection combines woven baskets from India, upholstered models from China, and a short re-order range from Europe for seasonal peaks. That sounds complex but only becomes complex if you try to learn each region yourself. Which most retailers would rather not.

That's where an agency earns its place.