imm cologne Wraps Up Strong Show

March 15, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on March 16, 2012 The imm cologne and LivingInteriors markets closed the end of January with a strong showing, according to Koelnmesse, show organizers.

During the seven-day market, 1,157 companies from 54 countries exhibited at the show while 115,000 buyers shopped the wares.

"Cologne is the key business platform for the global furnishing industry," said Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse. "We are proud to say that we are right on course. More exhibitors with a higher degree of internationality and happy attendees who got to see lots of product innovations."

The market set the stage for a strong year, according to Dirk Uwe Klaas, chief executive of the Association of the German Furniture Industry.

"2012 looks like a good year with lots of momentum for the international furniture industry," he said. "As far as Germany is concerned, our domestic furnishing market may well become the engine that drives consumption."

Buyer attendance was up14 percent compared to the comparable show in 2010, and foreign visitors accounting for 42 percent. The event saw an increase of buyers from Europe, especially from the Russian Federation and Italy. Attendee numbers from North America and Asia were up as well. The public days were attended by 40,000 consumers seeking inspiration from the interior worlds on show.

"We see this result as proof that our many and varied activities, aimed not only at national and international trade visitors but at consumers as well, have been successful," said Katharina C. Hamma, COO of Koelnmesse. "The imm cologne 2012 has thus established itself as an order-writing and information platform."

Highlighted trends for 2012 were:

* The major trend theme is nature. Natural-looking and natural materials exude a sense of honesty and authenticity. Solid wood and veneer furniture is just as popular as parquet flooring. As for covering fabrics, real leather, lots of wool and wool felt are popular, the latter often knitted.

* Furniture items are becoming smaller. A growing number of singles are living in smaller spaces and need petite and multifunctional furniture. Merging of home areas, lighter furniture with more flexible applications. Reduced size upholstered furniture with smaller tables and home office equipment.

* Wall units are becoming more compact and slender. Chunky TV units are replaced with flat screens, less need for storage space due to digitized records. LED and energy saving lighting integrated in furniture items.

Show dates for 2013 are set for Jan. 14-20.