Bigger CIFF show draws crowds
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, June 1, 2008
Guangzhou, China — The latest edition of the 21st China International Furniture Fair took a giant leap forward with an expansion that nearly doubled its space.
The March show, which had segments devoted to indoor and outdoor furniture, ceramics and home décor, covered 4.6 million square feet, up from 2.5 million at the previous show in September. Space devoted to indoor furniture went to 2.1 million square feet from about 1.1 million last year and the number of furniture exhibitors grew to 660 from 464.
One big reason for the expansion is the surge in interest by manufacturers and buyers in supplying the domestic China market, said Yu Yi, a senior manager of show organizer China Foreign Trade Guangzhou Exhibition Corp.
"Most of the companies sell furniture through brands and stores," he said. "They have lots of dealers from different provinces in China."
According show officials, the market attracted 62,530 visitors the first few days, of which 70% or 43,978 were from China.
Jiangsu Sikexin Furniture Co. has shown at Guangzhou for 10 years. This market it had a line of mostly contemporary upholstered beds and upholstery in bright fabrics. About half of its sales are export and its largest markets are the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
The company said the Guangzhou show is important because it draws both foreign buyers and also domestic retailers. Jiangsu Sikexin has a network of 400 stores in China, including 40 in Shanghai.
"Our brand is very famous in China," said Oscar Tian, sales manager.
Manufacturers including Rubelli, Kinwai, U2 Living, Kuka, and Man Wah were among the leather upholstery companies showing transitional and contemporary lines suited for the U.S. and European markets.
Case goods manufacturer Profit Force sells a line of contemporary dining room and living room furniture to U.S. customers, which represents about 40% of sales. But at CIFF, it showed mostly traditional furniture, which is becoming more popular in China.
"We want to push the domestic market," said Eileen Huang, a company sales associate. "We have done classical furniture for eight years and want to do more."
That is partly because the company wants to limit its exposure to a possible decline in sales to the United States and other export markets due to price pressures from fluctuating exchange rates and rising raw materials and labor costs.
Guangzhou Magnet Handicraft Co. showed a line of French-influenced accent, occasional and dining room furniture under the Johnston & Hill brand. Exports represent about 70% of revenues, said company spokesperson Sabrina Wang. But domestic sales have grown from 10% to 30% of sales in the past eight months.
Jansen Furniture showed a line of European antique reproductions produced in its Indonesian factory. Jansen sells to 45 countries and the United States represents just 5% of sales, down from 80% more than 10 years ago. The Guangzhou show has been a good venue for the company since it draws customers from China, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Also among the Guangzhou exhibitors were a number of Chinese bedding companies, including Baijian Furniture, Jinling Bedding and Angel Dream American Furniture Group. They were promoting their brands to the domestic market, but also said they planned to meet safety standards to sell in the United States and Europe.
Organizers did not report how many U.S. buyers were at the show. But some that were there had mixed reactions.
Bruce Hirschhaut of Bruce Hirschhaut Designs said he saw a limited number of westerners in Guangzhou, an indication it may be growing less important to U.S. buyers. He also said that he had to search harder to find appropriate product for the U.S. market and was surprised that some companies couldn't quote export prices.
Still, he was impressed with the presentations.
"Some of the influences from better quality companies in Europe were evident," he said, adding that finishes and use of materials such as zebrawood were greatly improved. "I saw an emergence of pure contemporary with some European influences."
Shahrooz Nia, CEO of acrylic furniture manufacturer Acrylicore, was at the show because an agent had a booth showing some of his product. Nia said the market appeared to be a strong show for domestic Chinese buyers, particularly with the declining dollar making imports from China more expensive in the United States.
"There were a lot of overseas buyers, but I don't think there were as many (as at previous shows)," he said, adding that many domestic buyers appeared to be with high-end stores. "It looks like it will be stronger and stronger for their own market."
That's fine with Nia, because he already has some stores in malls in Chinese cities and wants to sell even more of his product there.
For information on the next Guangzhou show, set for Sept. 8–11, visit www.ciff-gz.com.
-
Bigger CIFF show draws crowds
Jun 2, 2008
Specialty retailer LoveSac introduces new store design
Belfort Furniture, Lawrance Furniture are NHFA Retailers of Year
Kincaid Furniture honors Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter for Habitat work
Furniture, mattress sales boost Conn's sales 37.6% in recent quarter
Bob's Discount Furniture and several employees help ailing girl
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
