Post Show Report:
The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2010 and 27th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2010) achieved an attendance of 17,277 trade visitors from 112 countries over the four-day Fair which ran from 9 – 12 March. This marked a 10.7 percent increase as compared to the last edition and a clear indication that IFFS/AFS 2010 has once again showcased the best and varied mix of Asian furniture designs coupled with high quality international display which much attributed to this success.
Amongst the visitors, there were a total of 93 overseas buying delegations visiting the Fair and they included notable buying houses like El Corte Ingles from Spain, Interstil from Denmark, Pier 1 Imports from USA, Home Centre from UAE and many more, reaffirming IFFS/AFS 2010 as the preferred choice for their furniture sourcing needs in Asia. Following the good news was an estimated USD 270 million of spot orders concluded at the Fair, while an additional USD 2.5 billion of follow-on orders are expected for the year ahead as a result of the bountiful business opportunities secured.
IFFS/AFS 2010 hosted 434 global players from 31 countries over a gross exhibition area of 60,000 square metres. This prominent showcase also gathered over 100,000 pieces of unparalleled variety of latest and designer furniture and furnishings for quality buying opportunities. These comprised of the largest collection of exhibits from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan and Vietnam exhibitors, exhibited outside these respective countries, making it truly Asia’s one-stop sourcing haven.
Visitors at the Fair were also the first to preview new collections from local players including the American black walnut timber furniture range designed by Filipino designer Reylan Reario for Koda Ltd and Ewins Pte Ltd’s Harachair – the world’s first chair classified as a medical device.
Design was the main focus for IFFS/AFS 2010 with the introduction of a new overarching umbrella for all design initiatives, aptly named D’Space, which is in short, ‘Designer Space’. As part of D’Space, winning entries from the Furniture Design Award 2010 (FDA 2010) feasted the buyers’ eyes. This year’s award attracted 1,096 entries from 31 countries, a 72 percent increase from last year. There was also a significant increase in the number of entries under the Student and Young Designer categories.
The Design Conversation 2010 which was held in conjunction with the Fair, saw internationally-acclaimed Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa engaging an audience of 420 participants comprising furniture industry players, designers, architects, design students, trade agencies and the media.
Mr Tony Pang, Chairman of the IFFS/AFS 2010 Show Advisory Panel, said,” Singapore’s economy has seen a perceptible improvement compared to the same period in 2009. As a result, various sectors within Singapore are beginning to see an optimistic upward trend. Similarly, Singapore’s furniture industry sector has also seen an increasing demand for high quality furniture and furnishing with innovative designs. IFFS/AFS has always strived to keep abreast of the latest trends in the furniture industry to meet the needs of the trade visitors and exhibitors. We will continue to ensure that IFFS/AFS remains a relevant and quality resource to its exhibitors and buyers and we hope to see more success in the years to come.”
For more updates on IFFS/AFS, please visit www.iffs.com.sg