With a new slogan – Where next is now! – and high registration rates, even at this early stage textile and garment industry fair Heimtextil is preparing for the upcoming season. The international trade fair for home and contract textiles will take place between 8-11th January 2014 in Frankfurt
“The textile industry continues to rely on Heimtextil for impetus at the beginning of the year,” says Olaf Schmidt, vice-president of Textiles & Textile Technologies at fair organiser Messe Frankfurt.
“The large number of registrations we have received so far and, in particular, the fact that so many prominent European manufacturers again will exhibit here, show that industry leaders around the world are convinced of Heimtextil’s portfolio and global attractiveness.”
In particular, hall 3.1 continues to be well received. “Jobs in the booming crafts sector are in high demand, a fact that has been demonstrated recently by the large number of registrations received from renowned returning companies,” says Ulrike Wechsung, director of home textiles. “We are extremely satisfied with the acceptance so far.”
In terms of the German trade sector, the German Association of Textile Retailers has reported positive figures for 2012. According to the official 2012 statistics, household textiles and bulk goods recorded an increase of 0.9%, while curtains, carpets and wallpapers have grown by as much as 2%. In contrast, according to the association, in 2013 business had a weaker start – -5.9 and, respectively, -4.5% at the end of March.
A reason to be optimistic regarding an economic turnaround has been provided by a study on global economic growth between 2005 and 2014 conducted by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
For 2013, experts expect an upswing in diverse business sectors including the textile and garment markets. According to the World Trade Organisation, the development in sales over the past year – from -8 to -1% – is a sign of recovery.
