Furniture China 2009 – "Huge buyer demand met the industry in China"
News Release
For Immediate Release
Sep, 2009
Furniture China 2009 was successfully held from 9-12 September 2009 inShanghai, China. Establishing its position as one of the top three furniture exhibitions in the world, the show has expanded its total floor space to 400,000 sq.m. (including the sub-venue of Redstar Macalline). The total exhibitors of 1,906, including 125 overseas exhibitors from 22 countries & regions (not including the exhibitors from the sub-venue of Redstar Macalline), show an increase of 12.7% compared with last year. This year' s show attracted 61,057visitors from 160 countries or regions (including 14,852 from overseas). The opening was attended by the 10 biggest participating countries and received wide media coverage in more than 60 nations.
Professional buyers from all over the world
As the must-attended furniture exhibition, Furniture China 2009 drew the visitors from 160 countries and regions, 10 countries more than last year. The TOP 20 visitor countries/regions were: Australia, USA, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, Malaysia, India, UK, France, Korea, Italy, Singapore, Russia, Thailand, Germany, Vietnam, Spain, Netherlands and New Zealand.
In total more than 42% of the overseas visitors came from Asian countries (including the Middle East), 26% from Europe, 14% from North America, 10% from Oceania, 4% from Latin America, 3% from Africa and another 1% from the rest of the world.
The geographical diversity and spread of visitors mark a new milestone in the internationalization of Furniture China. Even the financial crisis hit global economy and the Chinese export market faced the huge pressures and decreased orders from overseas, 14,852 overseas visitors made the special trip to Shanghai for visiting Furniture China 2009, which has 9.2% increase compared with the 13,600 overseas visitors of last year and just 400 less than the 15,250 overseas visitors of 2007, which was the peak of Chinese export market. It shows and evidences that Furniture China plays a crucial role in the recovery process of Chinese economy.
Exhibitors reported receiving huge buying interest at Furniture China. As furniture inventories ran low in North America, Europe and other developed markets, Furniture China presented a timely opportunity to source for quality products and replenish stocks for the coming 2010 season, and to brace for the projected surge in post-recessionary demand. International exhibitors also reported strong Chinese demand for medium-to-high end overseas-made furniture.
Better Quality, More Buyers, Multiple Attractions & Commendations
Having garnered great renown and repute as a foremost international furniture trade show over the last 15 years, Furniture China strengthened its unique advantages and raised the scale and quality of the event.
Each exhibition hall was a given a clear product focus – whether furniture for the home or the office, for the kitchen, living room or the outdoors, furnishings and decoration, and even components and furniture woodworking machinery. The rattan furniture, baby furniture and premium home furniture areas, newly introduced in 2009, presented themselves in sophisticated stand design with multiple high quality exhibitors and enjoyed good market reception.
At the same time, the organizer also upgraded onsite services, such as providing more VIP lounges and visitor rest areas, increased the frequency of shuttle buses, and offered the complimentary beverage and finger foods at closing time etc, to make it more comfortable for exhibitors and buyers.
"Wider Selection" will be the mandate for the coming years at Furniture China. Managing Director of UBM Sinoexpo and Vice President of the China National Furniture Association, Mr Wang Mingliang, promised to introduce more quality design and wider product selections to Furniture China.
Danish Trade Commissioner Dr. Mette Knudsen was surprised to see high-quality products from all over the world at Furniture China and intends to introduce Scandinavian furniture design and interior professions to the show. "The Chinese people love Scandinavian design – it is time to introduce a greater array of quality products to Furniture China." Other consulates and trade office from Germany, France, Italy, Canada and USA praised the show for its good selection of medium and high-quality products, the excellent stand designs, and the huge attraction it is for domestic and overseas visitors.
Chinese furniture market exhibits strength despite difficulties
2009 is a challenging year for the global economy, and the Chinese furniture industry experienced unprecedented difficulties. According to the China National Furniture Association, between January to July, 2009, there was a 9.45% decline in furniture exports. However, with a slew of policies "to maintain growth, expand domestic demand, and readjust the industry structure" and through determined industry-wide efforts, the Chinese furniture industry is beginning to show signs of recovery. The domestic market is brisk and production increased 8.4% in the first 2 quarters compared with the year before.
The financial crisis has forced the Chinese furniture industry into a transition period which has brought an accelerated pace in industry consolidation and restructuring. Being an 'evergreen' industry, it is expected to bounce back even more vigorously with an extended phase of healthy and steady development.
Outlook – Furniture China 2010
Furniture China 2010 will be held from September 7 – 10, 2010 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.
Even before the 2009 event is over, overseas exhibitors this year from Australia, Belgium France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, UK, USA and Vietnamhave all registered for exhibition stands in 2010. Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Philippines, Spain, Turkey and Vietnam have already contacted the organizer and are intent to organise country pavilions. The show in 2010 is expected to grow in tandem with the expansion of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre which will add another two new exhibition halls with over 25,000 sq.m. in gross indoor space.
The new sections for Rattan & Baby Furniture which have been introduced to the buyers for the first time will be expanded and Furniture China will have more quality selections ready.
FurnitureInChina.com – actively run onsite with its wide industry resources
As the official B2B website for Furniture China, FurnitureInChina.com is a rich depository of company and product information allowing visitors and exhibitors to be better informed and a platform for them to continue contact throughout the year, creating business opportunities for furniture enterprises around the globe.
FurnitureInChina.com presented brand new upgrades during Furniture China 2009:
- The 1st 'Face-to-Face with Professional Buyers Sourcing Event' was well-received by both buyers and suppliers. More than 20 buyers held negotiations with over 50 registered enterprises in a 3-hour long session.
- 964 pieces of valid purchase information were collected onsite and will be published in the "Supply and Demand Information" column online following verification.
- A special CD containing the products of quality members and the exhibitors list of Furniture China 2009 was published by FurnitureInChina.com.