Gift Focus - Mar/Apr 2019 (Issue 112)

HOMI EVOLVES TO ADD THREE NEW SHOWS IN 2019 The directors of HOMI announced at January’s show that, listening to the market, several important new developments will take shape in 2019. As of 2019, HOMI will be divided into three exhibition events to try to better serve the markets of the three sectors involved. The show will be split into HOMI, HOMI Fashion&Jewels and HOMI Outdoor. In line with a changing market, where distribution channels and sales points are becoming increasingly specialised in the realm of items for the home and personal accessories, HOMI is being transformed into a diversified platform for sectors experiencing non-stop growth in the global market. International trade in these sectors enjoyed positive dynamics in 2018. Sales of finished products for the home reported an increase of 4.5 per cent compared to 2017, while sales of personal accessories grew by 3.2 per cent in the same period. Good prospects for growth are also forecast for the coming years, according to recent data processed by the Ulisse Information System. In light of this, HOMI is set to become an annual event, with its frequency changing from twice to once a year. The new show will take place in January and will focus on accessories, tableware, kitchenware and home furnishings, with the first few months of the year said to represent the most important period for the presentation of new collections in these sectors. HOMI Fashion&Jewels is making the transition from a satellite event to a new trade show. The event is dedicated to the bijoux fashion accessory sector and will make its debut in September 2019. Fashion and jewellery have always accounted for a third of the total exhibitors present at the exhibition and will take place alongside Milan’s fashion industry events in September and February. HOMI Outdoor is a new exhibition project dedicated to the great outdoors, open spaces, gardens and terraces. This event will also take place once a year in September, offering buyers a destination to discover the innovative solutions dedicated to outdoor living, as well as decoration. For further information, visit homimilano.com Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld start the year with positivity More than 87,000 visitors from 161 countries made their way to the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre for a trio of shows offering business highlights and new products for the international market. “The high level of internationality is one of the most decisive qualitative factors of our events,” said Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt. “The outstanding visitor quality and the personal contacts are also unique features whereby interactivity, emotionalisation and intelligent links between the analogue and digital worlds are the main driving forces for the coming business season. And our trio of fairs generate the right impulses for this.” The shows were built around showcasing innovations and acting as a business platform for the exchange of information. After Germany, the top visitor nations were Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and the U.S.. “The level of internationality on the visitor side is excellent,” said Kathrin Völ ker, managing director of Räder GmbH. “ We are very pleased with the course of business at the fair. The mood in the market is also positive. Companies that are active and committed have good prospects for success despite, or, rather, thanks to the right connection with online activities.” The show also reports that, further to the internationality of the show, it is the quality of the buyers that contributes to the success of the shows. Messe Frankfurt reports that 76 per cent of visitors to the shows are top managers. Kerstin Winkler, marketing manager at Marubu, commented: “Without doubt, it is the decision makers who come to Frankfurt.” The decorating, giving, writing and handicrafts industries are moving closer together. A decisive role in this respect is being played by the shopping experience at the point of sale, the presentation and advice given and intelligent links with online business, as evidenced by a new study by the IFH Köln retail-trade research institute published at the fair. “The trade profits from the powerful synergistic effects of themes that are only to be found here in Frankfurt,” said Thomas Grothkopp, director of the home and office retail trade association. “The trade fair trio leads the market in qualitative terms when it comes to tomorrow’s themes in the sector.” The next instalments will be held on the 24 th -28 th January, 2020. For more details, visit messefrankfurt.com giftfocus 11 news & events