Event organiser The Furniture Shows says this year’s Manchester Furniture Show (MFS) reaffirmed its position as the UK's essential mid-year furniture and interiors buying event, bringing together retailers, buyers and brands for two days of business, networking and product discovery at Manchester Central …
“Throughout the two-day event, the exhibition floor remained busy with commercially focused buyers spending quality time with exhibitors, progressing conversations, placing orders and strengthening relationships with both existing and prospective suppliers,” says the fair organiser.
“Visitor attendance remained in line with the 2025 edition, demonstrating sustained demand despite ongoing economic challenges. The show also welcomed 50% more new brands than the previous year, underlining continued investment from exhibitors despite wider market pressures. This commitment reflects growing confidence in MFS as the industry's most important mid-year marketplace and a platform where meaningful business gets done.
“The 2026 event welcomed a highly engaged audience representing every sector of the furniture industry, including independent retailers, multiples, department stores, ecommerce businesses, buying groups, contract buyers, interior designers and manufacturers, highlighting the show's continued relevance across every buying channel.
“The quality of visitors was equally impressive. VIP attendance continued to grow, with buyers in the £2-5m annual purchasing bracket increasing by 5% YoY, alongside growth across several other significant spending categories. These figures further strengthen MFS’ reputation as the place for retailers to make key buying decisions ahead of the second half of the year.”
Feedback from the floor
The Furniture Shows adds that buyers consistently praised the show's efficiency, welcoming atmosphere and breadth of product on offer.
One visitor comments: "It was really good to see new product with key suppliers in one place. The show is great for ideas and newness."
Another says: "Compact, friendly and there's always some new ideas and suppliers."
The Furniture Shows continues: “The feedback reflects MFS’ continued strength as an efficient buying event where retailers can maximise their time, discover new products and build valuable supplier relationships.
“That confidence was reflected by exhibitors themselves. Early rebookings from leading brands including Whitemeadow, La-Z-Boy, Furnico, Baker, Buoyant, Lebus, Image Furnishings and Avriio demonstrate exhibitors' confidence in the quality of buyers and commercial opportunities generated during the show.”
Exhibitors also highlighted the value of the event in helping them launch new collections, strengthen customer relationships and generate new business.
The owner of Scatter Box, Caroline Horgan, says: "It's great to exhibit at Manchester. This year the hall was full and there was a great buzz about it. We met the people we wanted to meet, as well as some fantastic new customers."
La-Z-Boy UK's head of marketing, Adam Morley, adds: “MFS has been a very successful show this year. The show is one of the foundations of our business and is the essential place for retailers to gather, with all the key players in the furniture industry, to launch new products into the market.”
Image Furnishings also highlighted the show's role in supporting long-term business growth, saying: “We have been exhibiting at MFS for more than 20 years because it's a pivotal part of our business. We meet the right retailers, including some we have been trying to reach for several years."
More to explore
This year’s edition showcased a strong mix of established market leaders, returning favourites and new names. Buyers explored collections from brands including Hill Interiors, La-Z-Boy UK, Buoyant Upholstery, Scatter Box, Whitemeadow and Ashwood, alongside more than 100 exhibiting brands spanning upholstery, cabinet furniture, beds, mattresses, accessories and interiors.
A new addition for 2026 was MFS Springboard, giving emerging furniture and interiors brands a dedicated platform to introduce themselves to buyers and retailers, helping inject fresh creativity and innovation into the exhibition.
Beyond the exhibition floor, MFS continued to strengthen its sense of community through networking and professional development. One of the most talked-about highlights of this year's show was the Women in Furniture Network (WIFN), whose Networking Brunch attracted a full audience and exceptional feedback.
Archie Baker, commercial manager at Loxa, comments: "One thing the Women in Furniture panel highlighted for me was how often the advantages of the female perspective are still overlooked. The industry remains male dominated, and men need to recognise that progress is not a threat but an opportunity. Businesses that make room for female voices in leadership will simply make better decisions than those that do not."
Reflecting on the event as a whole, its head of sales, Paddy Wallace, concludes: "MFS has always occupied a unique place in the industry calendar, and this year's event demonstrated exactly why. The quality of buyers, the calibre of conversations taking place on the stands and the level of early rebookings all point to a market that continues to value doing business face to face.
“It was fantastic to welcome so many new brands alongside established names, and to see the industry come together once again in Manchester. We're already looking forward to building on this momentum in 2027."
Manchester Furniture Show will return to Manchester Central for its 30th year on 4–5th July 2027.
Discover more of the highlights in August's issue.
