Heimtextil India and Ambiente India by Messe Frankfurt register increased buyer-seller participation

The fourth annual  edition of India’s leading exhibition for home furnishing  and interiors – Heimtextil India and Ambiente India, organised by Messe Frankfurt between June 20 and 22 at Pragati Maidan New Delhi has registered increased buyer-seller participation.  According to Raj Manek, Executive Director of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., the annual show had 30% more exhibitors than last year.  Exhibitors from five international destinations including China, Korea, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal participated in the three-day show.

While Heimtextil has been the leading component of the combined show for Messe Frankfurt, Manek said that there has been perceptible  growth in the Ambiente segment this year especially because of the shifting focus of the suppliers to the domestic market.  “This year, as a segment, Ambiente has grown 60% although it started from a low base.  We are happy with the momentum,” he said.  He attributed the growth to the shift in outlook of suppliers who were traditionally export-oriented now looking at domestic market.  “With markets slowing down internationally, they are also shifting their focus to domestic market,” he said.

With increased participation by exhibitors, the organizers feel that the show will also witness marked increase in business visitors to the tune of 10 to 15% compared to the previous edition.  Around 8,500 business visitors visited the show last year, Manek said.

Taking into account the exhibitors demand, Messe Frankfurt has included a hospitality component into the show from last year, which according to Manek has been received well by the exhibitors.  “We had interior designers, retailers and wholesellers as business visitors.  The hospitality buyers were missing and our exhibitors wanted the vacuum to be filled,” he said.  Messe Frankfurt has tied up Hospitality Purchansing Managers’ Forum (HPMF) to bring hospitality buyers to the exhibition.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Union Textile Minister, Smriti Irani and had special conference on Goods & Services Tax (GST). The second day of the conference was dedicated as Hospitality Day by the organizers.