TrendSet Summer 2022: mega trade fair in Munich!

• First large international Interiors & Lifestyle fair in summer
• More and new exhibitors owing to cancellations of other fairs
• Number of trade visitors and exhibitors almost back to pre-pandemic level

In good time before the new Autumn/Winter season, TrendSet invited the industry to Munich again, and everyone came. The six exhibition halls of TrendSet Summer 2022 were filled to the brim with new merchandise. Nearly 2,000 national and international exhibitors and collections showed their latest products from the areas Life & Give, Cook & Eat, Decorate & Create, and Work & Play for Autumn/Winter 2022/23 and Christmas 2022. High order figures were provided by 20,919 trade visitors during the three days of the fair. With 21.9% more exhibitors and collections and a 25.77% increase in the number of visitors, TrendSet is approaching pre-pandemic levels again.

TrendSet Summer 2022 has recorded a successful start to the order season of the second half of the year: exhibitors are highly satisfied and trade visitors are happy to be back. TrendSet Summer 2022 once again offered the industry the platform to meet, discover, order, and make contacts. Both national and international visitors and exhibitors availed themselves of the opportunity. For three days, from 9 to 11 July 2022, exhibitors showed their new collections and the trade placed orders. Manufacturers and brands recorded high order figures, although some trade visitors ordered in a slightly more restrained fashion in some areas. While Christmas merchandise was consistently well ordered, some other collections were ordered more cautiously. On the one hand, this was owing to the fact that some merchants’ warehouses were still well stocked. On the other hand, the current economic situation leaves many uncertain as to how the sales situation will look in the coming autumn/winter and spring seasons.

However, even though the challenges of our time could not, of course, remain completely outside the trade show gates, visitors and exhibitors alike celebrated their stay at the fair with plenty of good humour and motivation. As one trade visitor put it in conversation, “Yes, it’s not easy at the moment for any of us. We’ve had a tough few months. No one knows what is yet to come. But we should be ready and do what we can to keep it going. And for that we need new merchandise. You just have to look closely at what is possible. It’s good to be here at TrendSet again, without any restrictions. It’s good to meet people, to see new products. That lifts my spirits immensely. It feels like the future.”

Good atmosphere and good business at TrendSet Summer 2022

The exhibitors of TrendSet Summer 2022 indicated that they were quite satisfied with the way TrendSet progressed and with its result. Many trade visitors came and they were in the mood to order. The contacts made in Munich were, as always, of a high quality, and the opportunity to discover, experience, and order new products directly was intensively taken advantage of. Once again, it was proven that nothing can truly take the place of the in-person experience of a trade fair with personal contact. “The feedback of our exhibitors and trade visitors on TrendSet Summer 2022 has been very positive. Seeing each other, meeting, speaking, and touching and experiencing the new articles is simply incredibly important. That cannot be replaced. Besides the new design and product trends, we have also identified a trend as regards ordering: quality over quantity. High-quality products are even more in demand. The economic situation and the strained supply chains have resulted in the fact that manufacturers that produce in Germany and Europe, and are thus more independent of imports, have clear advantages at the moment. For me, this poses the question of whether that will also create new areas in the near future. For example, refurbished products could also find their way into the Interior & Lifestyles sector. I can imagine high-quality interior design products and accessories which are refurbished to give them a second life, thus enabling them to be sold again. After all, refurbishing is already a common practice in the electronic and technology sectors. This would also contribute to the ongoing trend towards more sustainability. We are very happy and satisfied with the way the fair went and we thank all exhibitors and trade visitors for coming and for the great cooperation and collaboration in these times,” summarised Tatjana Pannier, Managing Director of TrendSet, the success of TrendSet Summer 2022.

New exhibitors and much inspiration

Around 21,000 trade visitors from 42 countries flocked to Munich to TrendSet Summer 2022 from 9 to 11 July 2022 to become inspired by and for the new season and to refill their stocks for the Autumn/Winter and Christmas seasons. Approximately 21% came from outside Germany. Despite, or perhaps because of the difficult situation in the markets with unsteady supply chains and rising inflation, trade visitors from the retail, wholesale, online, hotel, and restaurant and catering trades once more took advantage of the opportunity to prepare in good time for the coming season and to stock up on new goods in sufficient quantities. Many exhibitors had even brought with them preview articles for Spring/Summer 2023, which could be pre-ordered at the fair. The areas Kids & Toys and Office featured more exhibitors than usual. Because the trade fairs in these areas did not take place, manufacturers and brands took advantage of the opportunity presented by TrendSet 2022 to display their toys, children’s accessories, school supplies, and office supplies.

News from the TrendSet Topic Areas

TrendSet Newcomer once again presented many new, exciting, and innovative companies and brands. Interest in them was huge, while exhibitors took advantage of the opportunity to introduce themselves to the industry sector. Especially in the current difficult economic situation, establishing and building a new brand is a real challenge. Accordingly, trade fairs, especially if they are promoted in advance, are a good way to make contacts. For smaller companies and brands, particularly local and handicraft manufacturers, the Newcomer Area, as an offering sponsored by TrendSet, is an ideal platform by which to present oneself to potential customers from the industry.

Artists from the fields of painting, sculpture, photography, and graphics displayed contemporary art at fair prices at the TrendSet Fine Arts Topic Area. More than one trade visitor took the opportunity to come into contact with art and artists. TrendSet Bijoutex offered a lot of new fashions, costume jewellery, and accessories, and was, as always, well attended.

TRENDS

Beauty from nature: the trends for Autumn/Winter 2022/23

Decorative objects conjure up a certain magic in the room in Autumn/Winter 2022/23. Autumnal plant motifs such as pumpkins and mushrooms bring a natural atmosphere into the home, while witches designed in a fresh way, vintage Santa Clauses, and folkloric forest animals create a fairy-tale atmosphere. Furniture and home accessories often appear in a cosy cottage style, with ritual symbols adding a touch of seasonal mysticism. The designs aim above all to spread well-being, nature, clarity, and tranquillity. It is all about design for the senses. Nature is integrated into the home through organic shapes, natural materials, and designs inspired by nature.

Natural and festive items: the trends for Christmas 2022

The styles of traditional Christmas designs are being mixed together and in many cases interpreted in a modern way. Handmade looks give Christmas decorations a cosy attitude. Under the Christmas tree, whimsically dressed snowmen and colourfully patterned reindeer cavort along with forest animals with a fairy-tale look. Natural decorative themes such as medlar, acorns, pinecones, berries, and mushrooms blur the boundaries between outdoors and indoors, bringing the nature of winter into the Christmas interior. Antique-looking decorative elements from classic Christmas designs and themes that embrace the spiritual feature a glamorously festive look with lots of gold and glitter.

EXHIBITORS’ VIEWS

Exhibitors’ opinions from TrendSet Summer 2022:

We are not only very satisfied with TrendSet Summer 2022, but also super happy to be here. As far as orders and sales are concerned, we’re even over the level before the pandemic. The customers are happy that it’s time for the fair and that they are able to see and order new products – despite all the things going on in the world right now. Christmas is definitely coming and for that, the shops need new stocks. As early as the second day of the fair, we managed a higher average plus. TrendSet Summer 2022 is a good start to the orders for the second half of the year. We are relieved.
Lars Adler (Managing Director, HOFF Interieur)

There’s a lot going on at TrendSet Summer 2022. We are extremely busy. The atmosphere here is incredible. The customers are happy to be here and the new products are very much being ordered.
Michael Rossmann (Managing Director, Pad Home Design Concept)

TrendSet Summer 2022 is proceeding really well. We have many new customers and we generally have a lot of traffic at our trade fair stand. Our customers are satisfied. The trade visitors come to order. We haven’t noticed any hesitation when it comes to buying. Our collections are being received well. Here at TrendSet, everything feels nearly normal – being sociable, meeting up with the industry sector, making contacts. That creates a good and optimistic mood. Things are moving along! That was confirmed by our superb sales here. We have products made of small pieces with a minimal price increase and we produce up to 90% in Europe. That is definitely an advantage when it comes to selling at this time.
Josef Post (Managing Director, Ambiente Europe)

Even the first day of the fair, Saturday, was a good day. Our stand was bursting at the seams. Customers are in a good mood, very interested in the new products, and happy to be here again – as all of us are.
Darwin Molenaar (Internal Account Manager Large Accounts, Light & Living)

TrendSet Summer 2022 is going very well. We are happy. Even on the first day, we saw that it would be good. We’ve generated extremely high sales here. TrendSet is a well-rounded thing.
Arnold Maier (Managing Director, AM-Design)

Things are going very well at the fair. The start of the fair on Saturday was OK; it was even more crowded on Sunday. The trade visitors are interested and friendly. Munich simply has a good clientele here at TrendSet. The organisation of the fair is also good. We are satisfied.
Ute Vosteen (Managing Director, VOSTEEN)

It’s going quite well for us here at TrendSet. We don’t have as many visitors at the stand, but those who come are of even higher quality and even happier to order. Quality comes before quantity. On the first day of the fair, we reached the sales volume of last year’s fair despite less traffic. The retail trade has experienced some hard times, the current situation is not easy, and the future is uncertain. So it’s clear that many are being very careful when it comes to ordering. But everyone is happy to be here. We are, too. It is so important to be present and to speak personally to customers. We are satisfied with the fair.
Paul Christian Knudsen (Sales Director, Broste Copenhagen)

We are very satisfied. We have fewer walk-ins, but a very high-end clientele. Everyone is cheerful and more than willing to order. Our sales volume here at TrendSet is good and we have made a decent increase.
Cathrin Paul (Office Manager, RICE)

People come to TrendSet to order. For us, it’s going really well here.
Ole Crilles (Owner, Aspegren Denmark)

TrendSet is exciting. There’s such a range of exhibitors and products. It’s great that it’s so crowded here at the fair. We’re getting a lot of visitors. The mood at TrendSet Summer 2022 is good. Everyone is super motivated. The trade fair organisers and exhibitors have put a lot of effort into making it happen. There’s a huge range of articles here.
Peter Kwoka (Managing Director, Kwoka Floristik)

It’s fantastic to be here again. The visitors are coming in large numbers and are ordering. We also have many new customers here at our stand. Everything’s great!
Claudia Vamdrup (Sales Manager, Ib Laursen)

It’s going quite well for us here. It’s a little quieter at our stand, but the visitors are coming very eager to buy. The quality of the visitors here at TrendSet is super. It’s an international crowd. Keep up the good work!
Christian Schmidt (Managing Director, GIFTCOMPANY)

This fair feels nearly normal. People are ordering, but many are also careful. That’s OK. In the current situation, we are all sitting in the same boat. The thing to do is to continue and manage through. It’s great to be here again – to meet everyone, to speak personally to our customers. TrendSet offers us the platform for doing so. That is the most important thing.
Daniel Henriksen (Sales & Marketing Director, Hübsch Interior)

We are satisfied. It isn’t like it used to be, but perhaps it will never be like it used to be and there will be a new normal. Our regular customers are here and visiting us, along with many new customers as well. That is the most important thing anyway. Contacts are made at the fair. That’s important. It all feels pretty normal again at TrendSet. Everything is perfect here.
Florian Hofer (Executive Management, Florex)

TrendSet has a very international audience. We are currently welcoming many Dutch people to our stand. The number of orders of our brands is good. The trade visitors are very interested.
Saziye Akbaba (Brand Onboarding Management, ankorstore)

As early as the first day of the fair, there was a larger clientele than last year. The customers are buying well, but partly somewhat more reservedly. But the visitors and the orders are at a high level. Therefore, everything is OK – as we expected it. And the organisation of the fair is, as always, superb.
Arne Giercke (Manager of Field Sales, BOLTZE Home Collections)

As always, TrendSet is going very well. We have a high volume of orders here. Starting first thing in the morning, there was a lot of traffic at our stand. Half of our visitors here at the stand are Austrians. It all feels nearly normal again. High-quality items are very much being ordered. People are re-thinking during the crisis; quality is becoming more valued.
Nico Attasio (Managing Director, DECORAMA)

Our figures and the level of sales are OK. It is good to be here at TrendSet. It’s worth it to participate in the fair. Especially in these times and under these circumstances, it’s extremely important.
Ferry Mulder (General Manager, Cor Mulder)

We’re at TrendSet for the first time and took advantage of the offer of the Newcomer Area. We are quite satisfied with our participation in the fair. The visitors are very interested in our sustainable, one-of-a-kind articles. It’s a fantastic chance to gain contacts.
Wolfgang Nähr (Owner, Zauberholz Manufaktur JN) – Topic Area TrendSet Newcomer

AT A GLANCE

Facts on TrendSet Summer 2022

TrendSet – 119th International Trade Fair for Interiors, Inspiration and Lifestyle
from Saturday, 9 July to Monday, 11 July 2022
at Messe München (Munich Trade Fair Center)
in Halls A1 to A3 and B1 to B3.