Heimtextil recorded an increase of around three percent in the number of visitors over last year, and these visitors were pleased with the high quality of the products and designs displayed, keeping exhibitors busy throughout the fair.
The 2759 exhibitors from 68 countries at the show were pleased with the amount of orders placed by buyers this year, and the further increase in the level of internationality of the fair ranks as a major success factor. “This has been the most successful Heimtextil for many years,” says Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt.
“It means we have not only extended our lead as the world’s most important event for home and contract textiles but can also confirm the positive outlook for the economic climate. The significant increase in the number of affluent buyers once again demonstrates the high power of attraction exercised by our exhibitors and their products.”
Staged at the beginning of the year’s furnishing season, Heimtextil was able to boast the fifth increase running in the number of exhibitors and thus send positive signals to the sector. Heimtextil has been proven as an important opening event, especially for buyers.
Positive results were seen in both the visitor and exhibitor polls this year. 95% of all visitors achieved their goals for the fair – up 2% compared to 2014 – which underscores the high standard of exhibitors at Heimtextil. The fair was also given a very good rating by exhibitors: 77% of respondents said they were satisfied to extremely satisfied with the fair.
There were particularly large increases in the number of European visitors from Great Britain, Italy and Spain. From the Arabian Peninsula, more visitors came from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. More visitors also came to Frankfurt from overseas nations, such as Japan and the USA. As expected, there was a decline in the visitor numbers from the Ukraine and Russia.
The new Theme Park in Hall 4.0 proved to be a highly popular highlight in the heart of the fair. In addition to the main components such as the Material Gallery and the Colour Pavilion, particular interest was shown in the themed installations, such as the 7m high foot spa for the hospitality segment and a digital textile printer in the Technology Lab. Some new perspectives were also presented by showing ways in which retailers can present textiles virtually and thus create a symbiosis between online and offline sales.
At the beginning of the fair, Messe Frankfurt announced that next year’s Heimtextil would begin and end a day earlier, on the Tuesday and Friday respectively. With this change, the Heimtextil management is complying with the wishes of many exhibitors and visitors. The next Heimtextil in Frankfurt am Main will take place from Tuesday 12th January to Friday 15th January 2016.
