The global furniture industry is moving through a moment of deep transition, and seeing new consumer behaviours, shifting trade patterns, rapid digitalisation and the rising demand for smarter, greener living reshape the way companies design, produce and bring furniture to the world – states CIFF Guangzhou, which, within this new landscape, will present its new theme – CONNECT · CREATE – at its 57th edition, returning to the China Import and Export Fair Complex and PWTC EXPO in Pazhou, China from 18th-21st and 28th-31st March …
“More than a concept, it is a direction,” says CIFF, “a way of interpreting change and giving shape to the opportunities emerging across the global market.”
A strong 2025 edition laid the foundation for this evolution. Last March, more than 4,900 exhibitors and 363,000 professional visitors from 187 countries gathered at the fair, marking a 10.91% increase in overseas attendance.
“This remarkable growth reflects the renewed centrality of China within global sourcing, manufacturing and design,” states CIFF, “and underlines CIFF’s responsibility to offer not only a marketplace, but a vision – and in 2026, this vision takes the form of CONNECT · CREATE.
“CONNECT expresses CIFF’s role as a platform where flows of people, ideas, goods and information converge. Today, international buyers are again looking to China for competitive and reliable sourcing, while manufacturers accelerate innovation in materials, technology and R&D. At the same time, consumers are embracing new digital models – VR home design, social commerce and omnichannel retail are transforming the shopping journey and raising expectations for products that are more adaptive, sustainable and personalised.
“CIFF Guangzhou 2026 positions itself as the place where these dynamics meet. A space where manufacturers, designers, distributors and ecommerce operators can explore new partnerships, understand market shifts and build more resilient value chains.
“If CONNECT describes the industry’s vital network, CREATE captures the energy that pushes it forward. Innovation today is not only about technology – it is also about rethinking design, improving sustainability, addressing new lifestyles and embracing creative collaboration. With CREATE, CIFF aims to encourage companies to translate global trends into real competitive strategies, from smart manufacturing and digital innovation to new approaches in retail and international business.”
Spanning 850,000m2, CIFF Guangzhou will offer the Home Furniture Exhibition (phase 1) which highlights contemporary design, smart sleep innovations, outdoor living, pet-oriented products and new international collaborations and, in phase 2, the Office and Commercial Space Exhibition, alongside CIFM/interzum Guangzhou.
“Together, these areas provide a comprehensive view of the industry – its present and its upcoming future,” CIFF concludes. “With CONNECT · CREATE, CIFF reinforces its mission to serve as a bridge between manufacturing and retail, domestic and international markets, innovation and design culture.
“More than an exhibition, CIFF Guangzhou 2026 aims to be a catalyst – a place where companies can understand the changes ahead, find new inspiration, and build the connections that will guide the furniture industry into its next phase.”
