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Hovering between the present and the future – Heimtextil 2010 Held last 14-17 January in Frankfurt, Heimtextil seemed livelier and more interesting than was to be expected given the current context. And whatever is said, the impression was that it was mainly Italian companies that failed to allot due importance to the date. But let’s make this clear: we’re not talking about the world market’s sole unmissable event as it was 15 years ago – and the figures confirm this. But Heimtextil 2010 highlighted that the global market is anything but stagnant. As announced with surprising swiftness by Messe Frankfurt, visitors stood at 72,000, with a 6% increase in international guests – significant statistics, confirming the importance of the event, and ones rightly welcomed with satisfaction by the organisers. This said, the most striking feature of the fair was the buzzing activity, the new ideas and the desire to communicate. The trend of re-launching time-honoured labels was once again confirmed, while a quickened pace in presenting innovative products and new marketing strategies could be easily picked up on. The central European companies – the French, Belgians and Germans – seemed to be riding a particularly positive wave: many of these entities already dealt with and got over the economic slump last year and have come out much stronger after optimising production and company structure. Today they look to the future tackling the market with a series of avant-garde ranges leaning towards the natural, wellness and eco-compatibility – the real new frontiers in soft furnishings and particularly in home linens. |
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