31.01.2012 Final Report

Strengthened: exhibitors of the consumer-goods fairs in Frankfurt satisfied; around 87,000 international buyers

Busy: significantly more orders support positive developments in the sector

Global: Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld with increased internationality and quality

The trio of consumer-goods fairs in Frankfurt – Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld 2012 – closed their doors on Tuesday after a run distinguished by increased visitor quality and a large number of international orders. Around 87,000 trade visitors (2011: 87,903, FKM certified[1]) from 155 countries contributed to the high level of satisfaction among exhibitors. “Our trio of fairs is a genuine magnet for international buyers. And this is shown by the stable number of visitors. Even more encouraging is the large number of orders placed by buyers and reported by exhibitors”, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt, commenting on the results of the fair.

Both indicators contributed to an optimistic mood in the fields of festive decorations, paper, stationery and office supplies and hobby, handicrafts and artists’ materials. Despite the difficult financial situation, the approximately 3,000 exhibitors from 72 countries (2011: 3,053, FKM certified[1]) have positive expectations of the new year because, although slightly fewer buyers came to Frankfurt from Southern Europe and Asia, they were able to expand their inter­national business. “There was a significant increase in the number of East European and, in particular, Russian visitors and this supported the international strategies of our exhibitors”, adds Detlef Braun.

This is also confirmed by the exhibitors: “There have been sig­nificantly more customers, especially from outside Germany, than last year. In particular, East and Southeast Europe were well represented. Nobody has been talking about the financial crisis. The focus was on doing business”, says Karl Kallinger, Member of the Board of KMP PrintTechnik AG and Paperworld exhibitor.

Marabu GmbH & Co. KG also noted this trend. “We are very pleased with the course of business at Creativeworld and have been able to welcome many more international customers than last year, especially from the East European and Russian markets”, says Kirsten Rohde, Marketing and Purchasing Manager, Kreativfarben.

Klaus Müller-Blech, CEO of Inge’s Christmas Decor GmbH, is also pleased with his participation in Christmasworld: “We are satisfied with the overall order level at present. In the export sector, we had more visitors from East Europe. Many German customers export to East Europe – that’s where the markets of the future are. This trend has become more pronounced in comparison to 2011 and is reflected by the number of orders taken.”

One reason for the increase from these regions is connected with the export of Paperworld to Moscow and Dubai. “Launching Paperworld Middle East and Paperworld Russia last year has had a supplementary marketing effect on Paperworld, Creativeworld and Christmasworld in Frankfurt“, explains Detlef Braun. The proportion of visitors from outside Germany climbed to 58 percent (2011: 56 percent). The top visitor nations after Germany include Italy, France, The Netherlands, Great Britain and Switzerland.

“The course of business at the fair has been very good. The level of demand has been high throughout and we welcomed both key accounts and smaller retailers. Particularly striking has been the intensity of the discussions, during which extremely specific activities and measures were agreed. We even carried out the annual discussions in the international sphere. Therefore, it is essential that we show the flag here”, says Stephan Weinberg, Head of the Retail Trade Department of UHU GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, and Paperworld exhibitor.

“Paperworld was once again an important market place for the new products and trends of 2012 – a platform for concepts and agree­ments. The combination of Christmasworld, Creativeworld and Paperworld makes it all the more worthwhile to come to Frankfurt. And, as in previous years, a large number of customers, especially shop owners, as well as wholesalers and the drop-shipping trade, made good use of this opportunity”, says Thomas Grothkopp, Director of the German Office Supplies Association (Bundesverband Bürowirtschaft – BBW) in the German Home and Office Association (Bundesverband Wohnen und Büro e.V. – BWB).

The synergetic effects of the trio of fairs have had an even greater impact on the level of satisfaction expressed by both visitors and exhibitors this year. This situation was reflected by Christmasworld exhibitor O Living GmbH: “We also had some buyers from the paper sector this year. They came with pencils and coloured in our decora­tive hearts. The synergies are very popular”, says CEO Detlef Klatt. Manfred Pulst, Chairman of the Creative Hobby Association (Ver­band Hobby-Kreativ e.V.), emphasises this trend: “This year, we recorded not only a very large number of visitors but also an in­crease in visitor quality. The association of three fairs and the ensuing synergies are very important. All three fairs have interesting supplementary assortments to offer.”

Now in its second year as an independent event, Creativeworld has become firmly established as the leading international trade fair for this sector, which is reflected by the high levels of satisfaction ex­pressed by both exhibitors and visitors.

Paperworld trends
Sustainability and quality are the predominant trends in the stationery and office-article sector whereby importance is attached not only to the sustainability and ecological orientation of the individual products but also to production and sourcing. In the case of external production, great significance is also attached to adherence to standards for the people making the products. Quality is a criterion of great importance for consumers: “Following a flood of cheap products from Asia, customers have seen the quality dif­ferences and returned to branded products, which have therefore been able to gain ground significantly”, confirms Rolf Schifferens, Chairman of the Altenaer Kreis (AK), the association of brand-name manufacturers in the paper, office supplies and stationery sector. In addition to these factors, fresh colours are once again making a significantly greater contribution to success in the market.

Creativeworld trends
The desire for greater individuality is the determining factor behind the trends at Creativeworld with home-made jewellery and acces­sories being particularly popular. High quality is particularly important in this connection. Greater individuality at home is also being given a boost by appropriate products and creative decorations. This is closely linked with the very important subject of tableware products in general and festivities, such as weddings. Table decorations play a key role and also offer a chance to express individuality and hospitality.

Christmasworld trends
Classic Christmas decorations dominate the market whereby the tree can also be an artificial objet d’art on occasions. Nevertheless, nature is the primary source of inspiration, especially when finished with ‘white wash’ or a glitter effect. White and silver with restrained colour accents are predominant this season. The trend towards a knitted look also continues. The LED lighting market is expanding and increasingly moving into the table-decoration segment. Candle makers are responding to the competitive pressure with innovative concepts.

Next year, the trio of consumer-goods fairs will be held as follows:
Christmasworld from 25 to 29 January 2013
Paperworld from 26 to 29 January 2013
Creativeworld from 26 to 29 January 2013

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[1] Figures for 2011 are certified by the FKM - Paperworld, Creativeworld and Christmasworld less Hair and Beauty