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Tendence shifts focus and wins new fans
[Tue 06/09/2011 09:26:30]
.jpg) Buyers and exhibitors have praised Frankfurt’s international autumn fair for its renewed focus on defined product categories despite a drop in visitor numbers.
Tendence this year attracted 52,000 people, down from about 57,000 in 2010. Just over 20 per cent were from outside Germany with most of that number from neighbouring countries.
According to Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt, fewer numbers had no impact on the volume and quality of orders.
“As we announced, a focus on the European market and defined market segments is the reason for us welcoming fewer visitors this time, but, instead, ones who were keener to place orders,” he says.
Exhibitor Lambert found success with higher sales and saw little evidence the economy is slowing.
“The general business trend in our sector is good, we see no signs of an approaching crisis and we are expecting consumer behaviour to remain quite lively,” says managing director Bernd D. Ehrengart.
However, Braun admits some wariness is creeping into the sector.
“For 2011, the Christmas business looks positive. But there is no denying that there are first indications of caution in the trade as we look to 2012. The crisis in the finance industry is also beginning to have an effect on the real economy,” he says.
Christmas trends show a focus on warm reds and various shades of white while blue is also popular. Another trend in decorations is forest animals and variations on the Santa Claus theme in modern colours.
Sustainability continues to be a trend in living and gift product categories. Jewellery, however, is becoming more colourful, even in finer pieces with gemstones used to brighten the look.
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