Close to 49,000 Buyers Visit Houseware Fair and Home Textiles Fair

23 April 2018 – Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 33^rd Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the ninth Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair drew to a successful close today. The two four-day fairs welcomed a total of close to 49,000 buyers from 112 countries and regions, up 1.5 per cent on last year. More than 29,500 buyers visited the Houseware Fair, while more than 19,000 buyers attended the Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair. Attendance from mature markets such as Singapore, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as emerging markets including the Chinese mainland, Vietnam, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico saw satisfactory growth.

Survey: 60% of respondents see Sino-US trade friction having no impact on industry exports
To understand the views of industry players on market prospects and product trends, the HKTDC commissioned an independent on-site survey, interviewing more than 540 buyers and exhibitors at the two fairs. About 60 per cent of respondents expected the ongoing Sino-US trade friction to have no impact on the sector’s export performance. The survey also found that the industry is cautiously optimistic about the market’s prospects, with 40 per cent of respondents anticipating overall sales to grow and 53 per cent expecting them to remain steady this year. Meanwhile, respondents said the major challenges facing the industry in 2018 are increased operating costs (51%), price fluctuations of raw materials (46%) and the volatility of the global economy (39%). Buyers continue to favour Hong Kong as a trading platform, as the survey found that 46 per cent of buyers polled expect to source an increased volume of products through Hong Kong, while 62 per cent of exhibitors expected to sell an increased volume of products through the city. Quality (87%) and compliance with environmental regulations/standards (83%) were identified by responding buyers as the key competitive advantages of Hong Kong’s housewares suppliers.

The survey also sought respondents’ views on the growth prospects of the major sales markets. Western Europe (72%), Japan (63%) and North America (55%) are the three most promising traditional markets; while the Chinese Mainland (64%) was regarded as the emerging market with the strongest growth prospects, followed by India (46%) and ASEAN countries (43%).

In terms of products trends, the respondents said kitchenware and gadgets (15%), eco-friendly products (14%), interior décor and handicrafts (12%) are the product categories with the highest growth potential. Simple designs (45%), multifunction products (42%) and trendy designs (40%) are seen as the most outstanding product styles this year.

A springboard for start-ups
“Hong Kong has long been a cradle for entrepreneurs,” said HKTDC Acting Executive Director Benjamin Chau. “Our innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit, which have contributed greatly to Hong Kong’s economic success, are crucial for the city’s future. As such, we continued to organise a Startup Zone at this year’s Houseware Fair, featuring more than 20 start-ups from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Bangladesh. The zone allowed start-ups to exhibit at a lower cost, making the show a springboard for them to connect with overseas buyers and manufacturers, and a testing ground to gauge market responses to their products. We also organised a number of “Startup·Smart Launch” sessions for start-ups to present their business ideas and explore opportunities.”

Andy Yeung, Product Designer of local start-up Maxcare Trading Limited. said the Startup Zone provided a cost-effective platform to promote the company’s products.  “At the fair, our Bicit mini gym bikes, palm-sized massagers, smart ceramic cups and portable air coolers have attracted many buyers, especially buyers from Japan, Taiwan and the US, who will place order for our gym bikes and portable air coolers.”

Brisk sourcing by buyers from emerging markets 
The Houseware Fair’s main theme this year continued to be “L.I.F.E.”, standing for its four major themed zones: Lifestyle, Interior, Feast and Enrich. Buyers appreciated the effective zoning, which facilitated sourcing.

Zubair Ahmed, a buyer from the United Arab Emirates’ Danube Home, said that he came to Hong Kong to source home furnishings products for the company’s 18 stores. He found six potential suppliers from the Chinese mainland, Japan and Thailand, and finalised orders with four exhibitors for US$250,000 worth of cookware, glassware, cutlery and kitchenware, making his visit rewarding.

Home Textiles Fair creates additional opportunities
Held concurrently with the Houseware Fair, the Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair adopted the “Interior” theme and showcased a variety of home textiles, upholstery and furnishings products, providing a one-stop sourcing platform for buyers. The highlight zone, the Hall of Glamour, spotlighted quality brands and designer collections. India and the Chinese mainland set up a number of dedicated pavilions to showcase their products. Nisha Lamba and Guru Lamba, Directors of Angads Fashion Pty. Ltd. of Australia, visited the fair to source hotel-related textiles and concluded an order for US$25,000 worth of products with an exhibitor from the Chinese mainland.

Fair Website:
Hong Kong Houseware Fair: hkhousewarefair.hktdc.com/en
Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair: hkhometextilesfair.hktdc.com/en

For more comments from exhibitors and buyers, please visit: https://goo.gl/gde68V

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Agnes Wat                 Tel: (852) 2584 4554 Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

About the HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong's businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. With more than 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing business insights and information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.