08.02.2012 Positive mood in the sector on the eve of Ambiente: the world’s leading trade fair for consumer goods fully booked up

• Detlef Braun: “The consumer-goods sector remains on course and is making a decisive contribution to economic stability”
• New at Ambiente 2012: Contract Business, Partner Country Denmark, Solutions special show
  

Positive economic statistics are giving good ground for optimism in the consumer-goods business during the run-up to Ambiente, the world’s leading trade fair for the sector. For example, the rate of growth for furnishing articles and household appliances rose to three percent (Source: German Statistical Office / Statistisches Bundesamt) last year. In other words, sales of products to be seen at Ambiente increased at an above-average rate. Overall, private con­sumption rose by 1.5 percent in real terms. “The consumer-goods sector remains on course and is making a decisive contribution to economic stability”, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. “This is very good news in these volatile economic times and we are pleased to announce this shortly before the opening of the sector’s leading trade fair, which is once again fully booked up.” The enormous importance of Ambiente is also underscored by the visit of Germany’s Minister of Economics, Dr Philipp Rösler, who will open the fair next Friday, 10 February.
There is also good news about Ambiente itself. “With 4,543 exhibi­tors from 87 countries on 330,000 square metres of exhibition space (gross), the world’s leading trade fair for the sector has once again taken another step forward”, adds Detlef Braun. Last year, 4,442 manufacturers from 85 countries made presentations on 320,000 square metres (gross) (FKM certified). The degree of international participation has also increased with three quarters of all exhibitors coming from out­side Germany (2011: 73 percent).

forsa poll on private consumption
The main reason for the positive mood in the sector is the stable level of private consumption, as reflected by the results of a rep­resentative forsa poll (1,007 people aged 18+ were polled from 11 to 13 January 2012. The poll was commissioned by Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH). Thus, 60 percent of gainfully employed respondents who received a Christmas bonus spent it. Almost 25 percent of them invested this money in furnishing products. And there are good chances that the propensity to consume will remain high in 2012 because more than two thirds of respondents plan to spend a similar amount of money or more for typical ‘Ambiente goods’.

Focusing on the contract business
One of the main themes at this year’s Ambiente is the contract busi­ness, i.e., furnishing or equipping complete establishments, such as hotels and restaurants, with complete product lines, e.g., dishes, luminaires, etc. In Germany, the contract business for segments such as glass, porcelain, interior design and gifts is estimated to be worth around € 2 billion (Source: estimates from the sector, 2011). “Today, the contract business is a market segment with high rates of growth”, says Stephan Kurzawski, Senior Vice President, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. Last year alone, for example, the amount invested in hotel projects in Germany rose to over € 10.4 billion (Source: IHA e.V. Hotel Association). The cruise market also continues to boom. Thus, the supplementary programme revolving around the contract business at this year’s Ambiente includes not only a special exhibition and a dedicated lecture and meeting area but also a new busi­ness platform on the internet. “Via our matchmaking portal, we have already put a good 180 registered contract-business suppliers into contact with buyers. And that before the fair even opens its doors”, adds Stephan Kurzawski.

Ambiente 2012 highlights: Partner Country and special shows
In addition to the contract business, this year’s Ambiente is dis­tinguished by a variety of new highlights. “We are delighted that Denmark, one of the world’s leading design nations, has agreed to be our Partner Country. In addition to Danish exhibitors, such as Eva Solo and Stelton, a special presentation entitled ‘10+ Design Fore­cast Denmark – Future Living’ will offer insights into sustainable Danish design”, says Nicolette Naumann, Vice President, Ambiente / Tendence. “Moreover, our Solutions special exhibition shows in­telligent products that will make working in the kitchen easier in the future.” Besides these premières, other highlights at Ambiente 2012 include the Talents presentation by young designers, the ‘Plagiarius’ negative award for product piracy and the Design Plus Award.

Note for journalists:
You will find further information and high-resolution photographs of Ambiente on the internet at: www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com/journalisten

Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s leading trade fair organiser with € 457* million in sales and 1,769* employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events ‘made by Messe Frankfurt’ take place at more than 30 locations around the globe. In 2011, Messe Frankfurt organised 101 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.
Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds, featuring 578,000 square metres, are currently home to ten exhibition halls and an adjacent Congress Centre. The company is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
*Provisional figures (2011)