Furniture

Interestingly, the economic barometer for the consumer-goods markets in Germany continues to point to fair and this resulted in an eight-percent increase in the number of German trade visitors. On the other hand, the economic situation led to a fall in the number of visitors from abroad, especially from companies directly affected by the financial crisis, e.g., Great Britain, Spain, Russia, Japan and the USA. As in previous years, the best represented nation in terms of visitor numbers was Italy ahead of the USA, Great Britain, Greece and Switzerland.



“Many companies have elected to take advantage of the opportunities offered by difficult times. And, as we could see at the fair, this commitment pays off. The trade – particularly the German trade – is grateful for all new and potent ideas. With a stable and healthy Ambiente, Messe Frankfurt remains a tower of strength for the worldwide consumer-goods sector”, said Dr. Michael Peters, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt GmbH.



The vast majority of our members is delighted with the course of business at this year’s Ambiente”, said Jens-Heinrich Beckmann, General Manager of the German Knives and Housewares Association (Industrieverband Schneid- und Haushaltwaren e.V. IVSH), con¬firming the success of Ambiente 2009. “The fair was much better than expected at first. There were enough visitors from Germany, especially the big and important buyers. However, there was also a large number from abroad – and they all placed orders. Although the total was down on last year, presumably the result of cuts in travel budgets, visitors showed great interest in new products. Compared to competing fairs in the early part of the year, Ambiente was by far the best event.”



Thorsten Klapproth, Chairman of the Board of Management of WMF AG, also mentioned the good atmosphere at the fair: “The crisis has not affected us so far. At present, consumers have more money in their pockets than in 2008. And, when the crisis comes, the right things will be done.” Wilhelm Seibel, General Manager of Seibel Designpartner GmbH with the Mono and Pott brands described the international situation as follows: “Despite the decline from certain countries, such as the USA, we had a particularly large number of visitors from outside Germany. Surprising in this connection, however, was the fact that the most important buyers from the USA came to the fair.” Bernd D. Ehrengart, Managing Partner of the furniture and home-accessory supplier, Lambert GmbH, echoed this: “Our sales are actually slightly up on the previous year, and we are very pleased about this. There was only a small drop in our export business, which was due primarily to a decline in the number of buyers from Spain, England and the USA. Although there was no sign of a general unwillingness to place orders, customers have become more selective. They know what they want and make their decisions carefully. Ambiente left no doubt that active companies and trendsetters are less susceptible to economic fluctuations. In difficult times, it is important to set accents and to generate enthusiasm with new, innovative ideas. Given the current economic situation, rates of growth as in the past are unrealistic.”



Altogether, two thirds of the exhibitors said they had achieved their goals for the fair. On the visitor side, this proportion climbed to over 90 percent. Two thirds of trade visitors polled were top managers and had appropriate purchasing and decision-making authority. “The new products for 2009 have been ordered. Demand in the home segments is very good. The themes and trends of the sector are proving popular. Now, all we have to do is sell them and do some good business. Despite the fact that success is always relative, something that hold equally true for this year’s forecasts, Ambiente certainly attracted the trade, as shown by the large number of visitors in the halls. Although gaps are never attractive, the organisers cannot be held responsible for the exhibitors who dropped out at short notice”, said Thomas Grothkopp, General Manager of the German Association for Tableware, Housewares and Home Decor (Bundesverband für den Gedeckten Tisch, Hausrat und Wohnkultur e.V.).



The assessments of the individual companies and representatives of the trade associations are also reflected in the results of polls on the current economic situation, which tend to be considerably less optimistic in the case of international exhibitors and visitors than those from Germany where the current situation is not seen in such a negative light. Almost three out of four consider it to be satisfactory to good.