Ambiente confirms leading global position

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With 4,543 exhibitors from 87 countries (2011: 4,442 exhibitors, 85 countries), Ambiente 2012 is the world's most important consumer-goods fair and has grown again in terms of exhibitor numbers and internationality.

With 140,000 visitors, Ambiente 2012 was slightly down in terms of visitor numbers compared to the record level of 2011 (144,991 visitors). However, this was still an increase of five percent and significantly more over the last economically comparable year, 2010. Despite the difficult economic circumstances in Southern Europe, the number of international visitors remained stable with an increasing number of visitors being registered from the expanding markets of Eastern Europe, as well as from Russia, the USA and Japan. The top five visitor nations in 2012 were Italy, France, the USA, The Netherlands and Switzerland.

The power of attraction exercised by the Ambiente brand was given a further boost by a package of measures focusing on the contract business. For exhibitors of the consumer-goods sector, the contract business offers a worldwide potential for growth.

This year, Ambiente welcomed its first Partner Country – Denmark – which resulted in a 42 percent increase in the number of Danish exhibitors. The overall level of satisfaction expressed by the visitors from more than 160 countries (2011: 154 countries) was also stable on a very high level and, at 95 percent, was only slightly lower than the 96 percent registered in 2011.

Trends: intensive colours 'in'
In line with this year's home trends, gift ideas are also fresh, cheerful and optimistic. Intensive colours are 'in'. Items for bringing order into everyday life, e.g., key fobs, mobile-phone cases, mugs and notebooks, are available in all colours of the rainbow. However, choosing a colour is no problem because all shades can be mixed and matched according to whim. Anyone who prefers even more colourful combinations has the choice of gifts made of patchwork or in a flower-power look.

Creative cases for iPhones, tablets & Co
Modern communication media, such as smartphones and tablets, also generate a wide range of trends accessories. Now, the impressive selection of creative phone cases to be seen last year has been joined by creative covers for tablet computers. Playful or sober, cuddly or smooth, plain or colourful, with old-fashioned patterns or brazen slogans – anything goes providing it is an expression of the user's personality.

Imaginative gifts in great demand
The trend is towards sustainable and adaptable products, as well as unique, high-quality items. Plastic, awnings, parachute silk and woollen blankets are turned into individual bags of varying sizes, or into cases of all kinds. Anyone interested in sustainability but not recycling uses natural materials such as felt, leather and bamboo. Naturally, gifts can be cheerful items with practical benefits, e.g., an amusing eye mask for frequent flyers, unusual hot-water bottles or breakfast plates with cheeking mottos. Tags or magnets with greetings are popular presents this year, too.

Jewellery and decorative items from far-away worlds
While antlers, pigtails and checks were to be seen everywhere last year, the trend this year is more towards a touch of exoticism. In the case of jewellery, pieces standing for Asian philosophy and lifestyle can be found with Buddha heads or figures, and Om symbols in all colours. Accessories are also graced with attractive decorations from distant worlds, e.g., Buddhas made of stone, wood or bronze, and are attractive eye catchers.

Costume jewellery in an explosion of colour
Reduced or fanciful, modern or nostalgic, folkloristic or chic – this year’s costume jewellery is also characterised by an explosion of colour. Not only freely combinable system collections but also chains, rings and earrings combine several different colours. And there are no limits on charm bracelets with everything permitted from flowers and figures to symbols and animals.

Genuine jewellery: timeless elegance and refined reduction
With timeless elegance and refined reduction in demand, genuine jewellery continues to be restrained. Chains, earrings and rings have matt or brushed finishes. And jewellery makers are reacting creatively to increasing precious-metal prices with more filigree creations. Thus, the economic crisis and raw-materials market mean that opulent and pretentious styles have virtually no hope of being ‘in’ at present. Red gold continues to be popular and is also used for watches.

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