125 thousand visitors from 138 countries. Numbers which convey the exceptionally international scope of Imm Cologne, whose 2018 edition has recently closed with extremely positive results.
There has been an increase in the number of exhibitors (over 1200, of which 70% from abroad) as well as specialised visitors, constituting 50% of the total (compared to 46% in 2016).
In Europe there have been increases, especially from Spain (+31 percent), Belgium (+16%), France (+11%), The Netherlands (+1%) and East Europe (+54%), Russia in particular (+69%).
There has also been a decisive increase in the number of visitors from Asia (+50%) – specifically from China (+82%) and Japan (+63%) – the Middle East (+15%), Australia/Oceania (+51%), North America (+12%) and Central America (+21%).
Particularly noteworthy names featured along the corridors of the Koelnmesse exhibition centre. From specialised retailers, many from 30 of the top store chains, to e-commerce giants such as Amazon, Otto Group and Wayfair, not to mention the delegation of 80 design-focused furnishing centres from the USA and Canada, including Luminaire from Miami and DDC from New York.
Made in Italy was represented by a staggering 94 companies at Imm Cologne (including the historically unmissable B&B Italia, Baxter, Cassina, Cattelan, Flexform, Giorgetti, Lapalma, Living Divani, MDF Italia, Meridiani, Minotti, Molteni, Poliform, Poltrona Frau, Porada, Riva 1920, Tonon) as well as important re-appearances, such as Fendi, Trussardi Casa and Selva. There was certainly no shortage of new-entries: Alberta Pacific Furniture, Altre Notti, Arflex, Casa Casati, Cornelio Cappellini, Fast, Nature Design, Rossini, Tonin Casa.
The trade fair’s success is directly linked to its offer, which this year exceeded all expectations with an all-round orientation embracing the lighting, bathroom and surfaces sectors in the original Pure Architects pavilion, featuring brands such as Antoniolupi, Florim Ceramiche, Inkiostro Bianco, L’invisibile and Londonart.
“Undoubtedly, the editions on the even-numbered years of imm cologne have shown that we are at the height of a positive moment for the furniture industry – commented Thomas Rosolia, CEO of Koelnmesse Italy, at the end of the show – these were very intense days and in the conversations with the many Italian exhibitors we recorded a tangible satisfaction with what happened in Cologne. The exhibiting spaces of Italian companies were full of news and carefully arranged: this suggests an encouraging new year start for the furniture industry.”
The event returns to Cologne on 14th January 2019.
