Autumn Fair’s 30th anniversary in 2020 will see a brand new area, The Furniture Show, added to the Living Accents & Décor show sector.
Explains Gareth Watkins, head of sales for Living, Accents and Décor at Spring & Autumn Fair: “We have seen a boom in furniture and homewares spend in the past five years, that goes above and beyond the incremental increase in house purchases. Given the limitations on the housing market, we are also seeing more consumers settling in rented accommodation, resulting in an increase in rental market spend on furnishings and interiors.
He adds that furniture’s pivotal role continues to strengthen, driven in part by social media posting and amplified across broadcast channels. “The sector has become particularly exciting as a result of consumer willingness to shape their own interiors with statement pieces, following in the footsteps of changing social, work and living spaces. We felt it was crucial to recognise this as part of Autumn Fair.”
Furniture production in Europe grew to over £77 billion in 2017, accounting for around one fourth of the global furniture industry. UK consumers spent £17bn on furniture in 2018, with the market expected to grow to almost £23 billion by 2024 according to research firm Mintel.
Autumn Fair takes place from September 6-9 at the NEC, Birmingham.
Visit www.autumnfair.com
Top: The Furniture Show will be launching at Autumn Fair 2020.
