Heimtextil 2019: growth with new concept

For the ninth time in a row, Heimtextil launched the 49th edition of its trade fair with a new concept and the top themes of architecture, hotels, sustainability and sleep, with an increase in the number of exhibitors.

Heimtextil is continuing its positive development. With 3,025 exhibitors from 65 countries, Heimtextil has a stronger and more international slant than it has had for 15 years. It is thus further consolidating its position as the world’s leading trade fair for home and contract textiles.

«As part of the fundamentally revised concept, we have combined themes and product segments in an even better way for specific target groups. Visitors can thus benefit from new synergies, shorter distances and lots of furnishing inspiration – sayd Detlef Braun, member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt –. In addition to a globally unique design show with international market leaders, a high-calibre event programme with notable guests and renowned industry experts supports the four-day trade fair.»

Structural change

Heimtextil supports retailers by offering innovative concept solutions for the point of sale and inspiration for experience-based business models. In fact, the perception in the stationary retail trade is that the clear winner is online retail. For many retailers, the time has come to rethink their business concepts as part of the march of digitalisation. The route to success in this respect can be to use services and high-quality design in shops to turn shopping into an experience. At the same time, retailers are increasingly focusing on multi-channel concepts.

Trends

The inspirational heart of the fair is the new Heimtextil ‘Trend Space’ in hall 3.0. With the title ‘Toward Utopia’, it provides a preview of the design developments of the 2019/20 season as conceived by London’s FranklinTill Studio and staged by the Frankfurt studio Markgraph. As part of the new Heimtextil concept, the design show is in close proximity to international textile designers, CAD/CAM suppliers and digital printer manufacturers.

Contract furnishing

As part of the ‘Interior.Architecture.Hospitality Expo’, Heimtextil presented solutions for textile contract furnishing in hall 4.2. Individual, sustainable and functional, from textiles with acoustic function or special abrasion properties to modular carpets, sun protection and innovative wall coverings.

The offer was flanked by the presentation “Carpet by Heimtex” where visitors experienced high-quality textile floor coverings by leading suppliers especially for the contract sector. This made hall 4.2 the first point of contact for the target group of interior designers and hospitality experts. A total of around 500 exhibitors at Heimtextil presented products specifically for the contract business.
The wallpaper manufacturers completed the product range for the interior decorator target group.

‘Sleep’

Heimtextil integrated the lifestyle theme of ‘sleep’ with an attractive expert programme: with the title ‘Sleep! The Future Forum’, a new information area in the foyer of hall 11.0 highlighted the themes of science & digital, sport, the hotel industry and sustainability during the four days of the fair. International market leaders presented innovations from the ‘Smart Bedding’ product segment: Mattresses, bedding and sleep systems can be seen as well as the associated technology. Well-known companies from all over the world are on board, particularly from Germany, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Japan and Australia.

Sustainability

Textiles made from PET and ocean plastic. Currently, the topic of water consumption in the textile industry and in particular the problems of micro and ocean plastics are increasingly coming to the fore, driven by a first-time agreement reached 40 leading fashion companies, associations and organisations at the World Climate Conference in Katowice.

A number of Heimtextil exhibitors also presented progressive solutions to this problem like decorative and upholstery fabrics made from used PET bottles. Or recycled PET bottles to produce sun protection systems. And MHZ tackles the issue of ocean plastic and uses it to produce the innovative Greenscreen Sea Tex fabric.

‘Beautiful Living’

This section includes decorative cushions, blankets, plaids, table and kitchen linen and accessories. A special highlight at Heimtextil in hall 9.0 was the ‘Beyond Beautiful’ showcase by Ushi Tamborriello in cooperation with Zoeppritz. In the new hall 12, which adds an architectural highlight to the Frankfurt exhibition centre, Heimtextil presented international suppliers of ‘Bed & Bath Fashion’. On level 12.0, renowned labels presents a modern lifestyle for the home and thus target high-volume buyers, boutique operators and upscale retailers. Level 12.1 will become the platform for the private label business and thus the point of contact for large-volume buyers and industry representatives.