Post Show Report:
The imm cologne show ended on Sunday, 24th January 2010 with a positive closing balance.
Despite being shortened by a day, the fair managed to equal the previous year’s result with around 100,000 visitors. The number of exhibitors even slightly exceeded last year’s level. From Koelnmesse’s perspective, the high expectations of the imm cologne as one of the most important fairs for the international furniture and interior design sector have thus been met. “The exhibitors have used their innovativeness to brave the crisis and been rewarded by doing good business,” says Koelnmesse’s CEO Gerald Böse. “Cologne is the business forum for the industry,” concludes the head of the trade fair company. The positive mood that prevailed in the halls for the entire duration of the fair was also emphasised by Dirk-Uwe Klaas: “This was by far the most successful furniture show for years. In the midst of the crisis, trade visitors and end consumers alike have given us impressive confirmation that the imm cologne has regained its former strength,” says the chief executive of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (Verband der Deutschen Möbelindustrie, VDM). As announced last Friday, Koelnmesse and the VDM as non-material sponsor of the imm cologne have extended their contract long-term to continue this successful collaboration beyond the scope of the imm cologne 2010.
The conditions under which the imm cologne 2010 took place could hardly have been better. The number of exhibitors grew by around one percent to 1,053 companies, with an impressive seven percent increase in the number of domestic firms taking part. Foreign companies accounted for 58 percent of exhibitors, the providers came from 51 countries. “That makes the imm cologne one of the few consumer goods shows in the world that has managed to remain extremely stable in spite of the trend,” says Gerald Böse. This pleasing result is also reflected in the number of visitors. In contrast to last year, the number of trade visitors from abroad increased again (+ 5.7 percent). The show reported particularly pleasing figures for North America (+ 23 percent) and Eastern Europe (+ 18 percent), two regions of vital importance for the export trade. Strong gains were also achieved in Asia and South America. The number of trade visitors from within Germany remained stable after a strong increase in the previous year. “I see this result as proof that the various activities we have undertaken to attract national and international visitors, such as our VIP packages, have been successful,” says Udo Traeger, head of Koelnmesse’s Furniture, Interior Design and Textiles division.
Satisfied exhibitors, good business and countless innovations combined to create an extremely good atmosphere. “This year’s imm cologne exuded a sense of optimism. The customers were in a cheerful, relaxed mood. And the fair itself is on a very good course – starting with the compactly planned and very full Hall 11, the great new pure village format for smaller providers, all the way to the new opening times from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” concludes Leo Lübke, CEO of interlübke and COR Sitzmöbel. “All in all, thanks to the short distances, the central location of the exhibition centre and the good organisation, the imm cologne is the working fair for professionals” adds Lübke. Exhibitors were delighted at the rush of visitors and well-filled stands too. The good international response also contributed to the excellent mood, as did the strong order intake. “We’re very satisfied with the frequency of the purchasing associations at our stand. We were able to take a lot of orders and got the impression there’s been an increase in the number of international visitors. On top of that, we’re expecting very good post-fair business,” says Giovanni Rossi, marketing consultant at Maronese International. All in all, around 95 percent of exhibitors were satisfied with the imm cologne, more than 80 percent are already saying they’ll be coming back to Cologne.
It wasn’t only the exhibitors who were thoroughly pleased with the event. Visitors were more than satisfied with the imm cologne as well. According to the visitor survey, around 80 percent were very satisfied or satisfied with how they had achieved their goals. As a result of this consistently positive assessment of the event, more than 80 percent of the visitors questioned would like to attend the imm cologne again in 2011.
pure village
With pure village, the imm cologne implemented a totally new exhibition concept that brought together heterogeneous product categories relating to all aspects of interior lifestyle. Renowned design brands from the furniture, fabrics, lighting and bathroom segments presented both exclusive individual design items and entire concepts for creative interiors. Right from the first day of the fair, the good visitor levels at pure village helped create an extremely positive atmosphere. “I’m delighted that pure village, which was developed by Dutch designer Dick Spierenburg, met with such a good response right from the start. The good results show that the time was ripe for a modern trade fair format like this. Together, we managed to create an atmosphere that inspired the visitors,” says a pleased Udo Traeger.
The kitchen returns to Cologne in 2011
Parallel to the imm cologne, the cathedral city will be playing host to the LivingKitchen® fair for the first time next year. The international kitchen trade fair will take place as an independent event every two years. It will have three Public Days and aims to bring together renowned national and international exhibitors from the entire kitchen industry. LivingKitchen® won’t just be showcasing kitchen furniture and fitted appliances but sinks, fittings, kitchen worktops and accessories, lighting and kitchen-related services as well. A year before the fair opens its doors, around 30 leading companies have already registered to take part.
Trends
- The megacolour white for upholstery fabrics and storage furniture surfaces, with e.g. aubergine shades for dignified accentuation. New additions this year: covering fabrics in matt black and blue.
- Large-format dining tables and dining room armchairs you can sit on comfortably for a long time.
- Adjustable upholstered furniture with lots of additional functions.
- Dark wood, preferably combined with glass and stainless steel.
- LED lighting technology in cabinets and shelving units.
- The “kitchen – dining room – living area” as a spatial unit, now joined by private spa oases in which the bedroom and bathroom merge into a single unit.
- Greenline furniture.
The next imm cologne will take place from 18th – 23rd January 2011
The imm cologne in figures:
1,053 companies from 51 countries took part in the imm cologne 2010. That includes 408 exhibitors and 31 additionally represented companies from Germany as well as 586 exhibitors and 28 additionally represented companies from abroad. Foreign companies accounted for 58% of exhibitors.*
* All figures are calculated according to the guidelines of the Society for the Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics (Gesellschaft zur Freiwilligen Kontrolle von Messe- und Ausstellungszahlen, FKM).
For more information contact: www.imm-cologne.de. / www.imm-cologne.com