Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM FEBRUARY 2024 10 HOME – FURNISHING SOLUTIONS THAT SUIT ANY LIFESTYLE From smart furniture systems for young home living to stylish living spaces for sophisticated comfort: Consumer-oriented brands presented a wide range of furnishings designed to meet a broad spectrum of needs in the Home interior world. Featuring large numbers of international manufacturers, among them Actona, Polipol, Kare, Furninova, Tvilum, Hjort Knudsen, Nouvion, Schöner Wohnen Kollektion, Hasena, Gautier and Parisot, just to name a few, Home acts as a unique business platform for imports and exports for the interiors industry. SLEEP – MODERN SLEEP SANCTUARIES A showcase of revolutionary concepts for a good night's rest and harmonious sleep environments is lined up for trade visitors in the Sleep interior world. The mattress and sleep systems on display in this segment promised maximum comfort. The extensive selection of sleep furniture is complemented by high-quality accessories and textiles. Prestigious brands such as Badenia, Dormiente and f.a.n. frankenstolz will be participating in this segment. PURCHASING ASSOCIATIONS FROM ACROSS EUROPE In addition to the numerous major exhibitors appearing at imm cologne, the list of trade fair participants included the relevant target groups on the visitor side, among them key representatives from the retail and wholesale trade and the associations as well as important marketing partners. The major purchasing associations from across Europe were attending, including XXXLutz, Micasa, KHG/Krieger, JYSK, El Corte Ingles, Alinea, BUT, Conforama, Nitori, Beter Bed Group, De Mandemarkers Groep, IKEA, Svenska Hem, Tchibo and Next. Joining them from Germany will be key purchasing groups such as Alliance, Begros, Europa, Garant and EK Living. NEW TRADE FAIR CONCEPT: THE CIRCLES A crucial factor in the positive response that the event attracted is The Circles, the trade fair concept that brings the essence of its central theme of "Connecting Communities" to life with interlinked content and event formats. The Circles take the form of tempting catering outlets, inspiring design installations, studios with programs of informative talks, and many other formats. They extend across the entire trade fair and aim to offer event participants a platform where they can gather, network, and find answers to the crucial questions facing the furniture industry. "In the spirit of 'Connecting Communities', which serves as our central theme, we have set ourselves the goal of promoting exchanges between industry actors and forging new ground for the industry with inspiring ideas. We couldn't wait to bring the interior design world together in Cologne again," says Bernd Sanden, director of imm cologne. Among the highlights in the extensive event program was the Pure Talents Contest. The award ceremony for the prestigious design competition was held on the first day of the trade fair. The line-up also featured the imm cologne Summit, hosted in cooperation with the Association of the German Furniture industry (VDM) and the German Federal Association of Furniture & Kitchen Retailer (BVDM). Further highlights included the Installation Circles, staged by renowned design studios, and the expert-led Guided Tours, focusing on trends and new launches at imm cologne 2024. This year's edition of imm cologne marked the next step in the journey towards a reconceptualized Interior Business Event that began with the imm Spring Edition. Over the days of the event, visitors were able to experience these highlights and many other standout events at the Koelnmesse trade fair grounds. As always, imm cologne also promised to be an excellent opportunity to expand their networks and expertise, and to discover product innovations, the latest collections and the trends that will shape the new interior year. KOELNMESSE – GLOBAL INSPIRATION FOR LIVING, CONTRACT AND PUBLIC SPACES Koelnmesse is the world's top trade fair organizer for the areas of Living, Contract and Public Spaces. At the trade fair hub of Cologne, in addition to imm cologne and interzum, other trade fair formats such as LivingKitchen, ORGATEC, spoga+gafa, FSB and aquanale are among the internationally renowned and established industry meeting places. These fairs comprehensively represent the interior and design segment, the furniture and interior construction industries' supplying sections, the kitchen world, all topics for the modern working world, garden lifestyle as well as public space, sports and leisure facilities and also sauna, pool and ambiente. THE NEXT EVENTS: • imm cologne - The interior business event, Cologne January 14th thru 18th 2024 • spoga+gafa - The world's biggest garden and BBQ trade fair, Cologne June 16th – 18 2024 For further information, please visit: www.imm-cologne.com/trade-fair/imm-cologne/industry-trade-fairs IMM COLOGNE CONNECTS! RO

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