Heimtextil highlights: more exhibitors, increased hall-capacity utilisation and first-class companies

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"Heimtextil in Frankfurt am Main continues to expand for the fourth year running: with 2,718 exhibitors from 61 countries, the fair is opening the new furnishing season under excellent auspices (2013: 2,616). The top line-up with the leading international manufacturers underscores yet again the outstanding position held by Heimtextil as the world's leading trade fair for home and contract textiles", says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. From 8 to 11 January 2014, the unrivalled product spectrum and an attractive programme of events promise new highlights in terms of design, functionality and high-quality textile products.

"Positive signals for a successful start to the year are also being generated by the improved situation of the textile industry", adds, Braun. Business in Europe during the last quarter of 2013 was characterised by economic recovery. Additionally, exports to certain countries, e.g., Russia, China and Turkey, developed positively. Thus, according to Euratex, the trend indicates an upturn in the situation of the European textile industry in 2014. The driving force behind this recovery is likely to be an increase in domestic demand. According to Germany's textil+mode federation, the German textile industry is also in a good position with increasing sales on the cards. One of the reasons for this is that, according to the GfK consumer-research institute, the Germans will have an additional disposable income of € 586 per capita in 2014. This good prognosis is supported by the IFO economic-climate index. The situation is similar for the German home and household textile industry: the indications for 2014 permit an optimistic outlook for the new year thanks to the positive prognoses for private consumption and, in particular, economic developments in the building and modernisation sector.

'Conceptual Living' presents new sales opportunities

In cooperation with the 'Zukunftsinstitut' (Future Institute), one of Europe's leading trend-research think tanks, Heimtextil has been able to identify a future-oriented trend theme: 'Conceptual Living' illuminates changed interior-design expectations and the resulting reorientation in the world of textile furnishing. Thus, home and household textiles are growing in importance for the creation of individual living space. Heimtextil has investigated the development towards 'Conceptual Living' and presents the ensuing opportunities for trade and industry. "Textiles are an excellent way for people to give expression to their personality", says Braun. "For around two thirds of Germans, home textiles give the home individuality and the final touch." In addition to the survey of German consumers, the study has been given an international orientation with the results of polls conducted in Italy and Russia.

Great hall-capacity utilisation and a unique product spectrum

Heimtextil 2014 is characterised by increased hall-capacity utilisation. As in the past, Hall 3.1 is one of the major draws and is fully booked up. There, a veritable Who's Who of the international wall-covering sector is making presentations together with renowned textile publishers. Also fully booked-up is Hall 4.1 where the leading brand-name manufacturers from the curtain, furniture and decorative fabric segments present their new collections. European companies are particularly well represented there. In Hall 4.2, around 200 studios are showing their designs within the framework of 'Design live', which is once again the world's biggest platform for textile design. There has been an outstanding development in the 'Digital Print' product group in Hall 4.2 where the exhibition space and the number of exhibitors for the expanding digital-printing market have increased significantly.

Another fully booked-up hall at Heimtextil 2014 is Hall 8 where prominent manufacturers form the focal point for bed linen, bedding and bathroom textiles. Additionally, 'Sleep Factory', a joint mattress presentation, spotlights exciting new products by international exhibitors. In Hall 11, premium suppliers are showing bathroom, bed and table textiles while numerous fashion labels present their new home collections. Additionally, many young companies are taking part with their inspiring and innovative textile developments: a special platform for start-up companies puts the spotlight on the coming design generation. Entitled 'New&Next', this newcomer stage is a source of creative product ideas from the world of bathroom, bed and table textiles, which sets new accents in the market for household textiles.

Conference spotlighting the expanding digital-printing market

The positive development in the field of digital printing will be given a supplementary boost by the 'European Digital Textile Conference', which is being held during Heimtextil for the first time. On 9 and 10 January 2014, leading suppliers of digital printing technology will talk about their innovations in 'Saal Europa' of Hall 4.0. To be held in English, the conference will offer an overview of new technologies, market opportunities, areas of application for industrial printing and sustainable production methods, with special reference to digitally printed home and household textiles. The conference has been organised by World Textile Information Network, an international news and information agency for the textile sector, in cooperation with Heimtextil. Participation is not included in the Heimtextil admission ticket.

'Webchance Academy': E-commerce in the retail trade

Heimtextil is offering a two-day programme of lectures especially for retailers and newcomers to the world of e-commerce: 'Webchance Academy', the lecture forum for successful advertising and sales on the internet, will provide an overview of the opportunities in the online trade and marketing during the fair. On 8 and 10 January 2014, e-commerce experts will discuss the latest online-marketing development at the 'Lecture Square' in Galleria 1. Additionally, retailers will report on their web activities, their first steps in the internet business and their way to becoming multi-channel suppliers. But that's not all: the 'Lecture Square' programme also includes several other interesting lecture subjects, e.g., Heimtextil and the German Hotel Association (Hotelverband Deutschland – IHA) will spotlight digital developments in the hotel business on 9 January 2014.

Supplementing the Heimtextil lecture programme is the redesigned 'Contract Square' in the foyer of Halls 5.1/6.1 where renowned architects and furnishing experts discuss the latest subjects of relevance to the contract business. The lectures have been organised in cooperation with AIT architecture magazine. As the main meeting place for everyone interested in the contract business, 'Contract Square' is also the starting point for guided architects' tours and the venue for relevant awards ceremonies.

Trend Show presents the 'state of the art'

One of the traditional highlights of the fair is the Trend Show in Forum 0. At Heimtextil 2014, the show is sure to be a great source of inspiration thanks to numerous interactive elements. The spectacular presentation by London's FranklinTill design agency enables visitors and exhibitors to enter four trend worlds based on the two superordinate trend themes – 'Progress!' and 'Revive!' – and offers a precise and tangible outlook on tomorrow's home interior design. Supplementing the show are lectures by renowned designers and trend experts, which give a solid overview of the latest trends.

Heimtextil in Frankfurt

Consumers are also invited to discover aspects of Heimtextil for themselves: the ‘Heimtextil goes City’ campaign, which is being held in cooperation with the Frankfurt Interior Decorators’ Guild (Raumausstatterinnung), presents new products from the fair and offers valuable tips for home decorating. On the Saturday of the fair, 11 January 2014, specialist retailers, galleries and public institutes in Frankfurt will present textiles in a variety of lifestyle and cultural spheres.

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