Houseware & Home Textiles Fairs Welcomed 47,000+ Buyers
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| The 30th HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the sixth HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles & Furnishings Fair welcomed over 47,000 buyers, up three per cent over the previous year | |
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| An increase in buying activity from Europe and the US was noticeable at the Houseware Fair and Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair | |
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| The HKTDC organised over 100 buying missions to the two fairs, generating more business opportunities for exhibitors | |
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| The World of Pet Supplies zone was a highlight of the Houseware Fair. During the event, the HKTDC organised two Pet Supplies Parades, with canine models helping to display new products | |
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| A number of exciting activities were held during the fair, including seminars, product demonstrations and launches and buyer forums. At the “International Kitchenette”, a celebrity chef demonstrated his culinary skills using the latest kitchenware | |
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| The Bath, Beauty & Healthcare zone was among five zones making their debut at the Houseware Fair this year. The other new zones were Festive Dècor; Home Cleaning; Storage Solutions; and Wine Tools & Accessories | |
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| Brenda Liang, Corporate Communications & Marketing Manager of multiple CHOICE by topchoice, a Hong Kong houseware brand, said her company had received more orders from the Middle East and East Asia this year; mostly small orders but for a wide selection of products | |
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| Attendance from the US recorded a double-digit growth. Todd Boothe, Vice President of Merchandising of US houseware retail chain RC Willey, came to source products for the company’s new outlets | |
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| The President of Canadian tableware manufacturer Knack3 Inc., Len Walker, said the show had helped his company open up more overseas markets. He said he had met buyers from such markets as the Chinese mainland, Korea, Turkey and Panama | |
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| Jordanian buyer Amro Aqqad (left) said he had placed orders for kitchenware from a Hong Kong and a Chinese mainland company respectively | |
24 April 2015 – The 30th Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the sixth Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair ended yesterday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The two fairs, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), welcomed more than 47,000 buyers during the four-day fair period, up three per cent compared to the previous year. Over 28,600 buyers visited the Houseware Fair, while around 18,500 buyers attended the Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair.
As some of the traditional markets continue to recover gradually, attendance from Europe and the United States rebounded, with buyer attendance from the US, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany recording satisfactory growth. Buyer attendance was also driven by Asian countries, with Korea and India registering an increase of 20 per cent or more.
“Both exhibitor and buyer attendance at the two fairs have risen. Not only does this indicate the recovery of traditional market consumption, it also shows that Hong Kong remains an established trade fair capital for local and overseas buyers,” said HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau. “As the largest fair of its kind in Asia, the Hong Kong Houseware Fair is an effective business platform for traders.” The twin fairs featured nearly 2,400 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions, offering comprehensive and versatile sourcing of houseware and home textile products for global buyers.
Simply The Best
During the Houseware Fair, the HKTDC commissioned an independent survey agency to conduct surveys onsite, interviewing more than 550 buyers and exhibitors about their views on market prospects and product trends. The survey found that nearly 80 per cent of respondents expect overall houseware market sales to remain the same or improve in 2015, compared to the previous year. The majority of respondents consider North America to have the highest growth potential, followed by Chinese mainland and Western Europe.
In terms of product trends, most respondents expect simple designs to dominate the market this year, followed by trendy items and multi-functional products. The survey also found that Hong Kong-designed houseware products generally received positive feedback. Over 80 per cent of respondents consider the quality of Hong Kong-designed products on par with, or better than international standards.
Traditional Markets Rebound
Recent economic data have shown that retail sales of markets including the US, the UK and the Eurozone, are recovering. This was echoed by buyers at the fairs. A representative from Perfection Worldwide Limited, a tableware manufacturer from the Caribbean territory of Anguilla, said, “We met two retailers from the UK on the first morning (of the fair), and they returned and placed orders that afternoon.”
Todd Boothe, Vice President of Merchandising of the US houseware retail chain RC Willey, joined the Houseware Fair for the fourth time, seeking products for soon-to-open outlets. “We find many quality products at the fair. We will be focusing on kitchenware and water bottles, and will be bringing samples back to the US to evaluate and formulate our sourcing strategy,” he said.
The Sales Manager of the Spanish houseware manufacturer, Talleres Toyma, paid his second visit to the Houseware Fair. He found two suppliers for silicon kitchenware and food storage boxes, and had placed orders worth more than US$100,000.
Emerging Market Potential
Aside from traditional markets, the fairs also attracted many buyers from the Chinese mainland and other emerging markets. Beijing buyer Zhonghai Hou returned to the Houseware Fair and said he was pleased to see a wider selection of overseas brands this year. Meanwhile, Amro Aqqad, General Manager of AA Trading from Jordan, said: “The Houseware Fair has a very diverse range of products. We have already placed orders for kitchenware from a Hong Kong and a Chinese mainland company respectively.”
Brenda Liang, Corporate Communications & Marketing Manager of multiple CHOICE by topchoice, a Hong Kong houseware brand, said the amount of orders her company received was similar to last year. She added that there were more buyers from the Middle East and East Asia this year, and they preferred to place small orders for a wide selection of products. For Len Walker, President of Canadian tableware manufacturer Knack3 Inc., the show helped his company open up more overseas markets. He said he had met buyers from such markets as the Chinese mainland, Korea, Turkey and Panama.
For the Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair, Mary Louise O’Dowd, International Sales Manager of Citta Design Pty Ltd from New Zealand, said the fair had helped them connect with many Asian buyers. Through the HKTDC’s business matching service, she met buyers from the Philippines and Thailand, and hoped to build long-term relationships with them.
Gifts & Packaging Fairs Coming Soon
Hot on the heels of the success of the Houseware Fair and the Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair, the 30th HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair and the 10th Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair open next Monday (27 April) and continue through 30 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo respectively. The two fairs will feature over 4,600 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions.
Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com.