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This year’s International Hardware Fair/Practical World attracted ten per cent more visitors to Cologne than a year ago
In spite of the higher attendance figure – the count for the four days of the fair from 14 to 17 March totalled 74 000 trade visitors from 114 countries – the conclusions reached by the suppliers varied greatly: some exhibitors were dissatisfied with the outcome of the fair, whereas others spoke of excellent contacts.
“On the right track”
All in all, the fair concept worked out according to plan, which the organisers see as confirmation of their efforts. In the words of Oliver P. Kuhrt, executive vice-president of Koelnmesse, “The unequivocal increase of around ten per cent in attendance figures compared with last year is confirmation enough that we are on the right track.”
This year’s positive development also provides proof that the future two-yearly fair concept is finding acceptance by the participating sectors. “We have made a successful start to the two-yearly cycle – the fair has impressively upheld its position as the world’s leading event for the hardware and DIY industries,” emphasised Dr Michael Lucke, chairman of the International Hardware Fair/Practical World advisory committee, at the conclusion of the fair. “The challenge was, and still is, for us to position the fair in such a way that it fulfils the requirements of the sectors involved, the changing market conditions and the altered value added chains,” added Oliver P. Kuhrt.
74 000 trade visitors came to Cologne, ten per cent more than last year.
The strategy of presenting two equal-status brands and three main fair sectors under the same roof – the International Hardware Fair with the core sectors of tools, security systems and locks + fittings, alongside Practical World with the key sector of building and home improvement/DIY supplies – seems to have met with approval.
A positive assessment of the fair was also made by John W. Herbert, executive director of the BHB: “This year’s fair is good, it is a turning point. If trade and industry stand together in close cooperation we will jointly stage a mega trade fair in 2006.” He expressed his confidence that the DIY multiples will in future encourage even more store managers and heads of departments to visit the fair, since it is particularly important that staff members who communicate directly with consumers should gain hands-on experience of products that require further explanation.
Spotlight on innovations
Altogether 3 677 suppliers from 59 countries displayed their products together with trade and service concepts during the four days of the event; 78 per cent of the exhibitors came to Cologne from abroad. The suppliers occupied 255 000 m² of the exhibition site’s gross area of 280 000 m².
Suppliers in the tools show, the biggest section with a gross exhibition area of 120 000 m² and about 1 900 participants, claim to have profited from the high internationality and professional qualification of the visitors. In particular the purchasing decision-makers from the fast-growing DIY and home improvement sector ensured significant sales impulses.
The tools show, traditionaly the biggest sector, was made up of 1 900 suppliers.
The exhibitors in the sector covering security systems and locks + fittings were to a great extent satisfied with the visitor frequency on their stands. With an eye on the economic situation, many of the more than 400 companies exhibiting in this sector put customer care at the top of their list of priorities.
Practical World brought together the product offer of around 1 350 suppliers of building and DIY products. This segment reflects the trend towards “homing” (previously known as “cocooning”), i.e. towards shifting leisure activities into your own home for the pleasure of furnishing and improving it yourself in an economical way.
Acceptance of two-year cycle
The fair offered a platform for cultivating relationships and for opening up new contacts with interested parties from Europe and overseas, primarily the USA, Canada and the countries of the Middle East. In addition to a range of new products, the focal point of negotiations was often sales-promoting measures with which the industry intends to support the trade. This was already confirmed by the attractive stand design, which provided inspiration for decoration, display and brand cultivation in the stores. Topping the list of visitor objectives were new products: 82 per cent of the visitors surveyed by Koelnmesse mentioned information about innovative products as the main reason for their trip to Cologne. 79 per cent wanted to use their visit to the fair for observing the market and comparing ranges, 77 per cent for cultivating existing business relationships, and 73 per cent for opening up new contacts. What is more, 88 per cent intend to attend the next International Hardware Fair/Practical World in Cologne from 5 to 8 March 2006 – and 72 per cent of the trade visitors surveyed welcome the new two-year cycle.
“On the right track”
All in all, the fair concept worked out according to plan, which the organisers see as confirmation of their efforts. In the words of Oliver P. Kuhrt, executive vice-president of Koelnmesse, “The unequivocal increase of around ten per cent in attendance figures compared with last year is confirmation enough that we are on the right track.”
This year’s positive development also provides proof that the future two-yearly fair concept is finding acceptance by the participating sectors. “We have made a successful start to the two-yearly cycle – the fair has impressively upheld its position as the world’s leading event for the hardware and DIY industries,” emphasised Dr Michael Lucke, chairman of the International Hardware Fair/Practical World advisory committee, at the conclusion of the fair. “The challenge was, and still is, for us to position the fair in such a way that it fulfils the requirements of the sectors involved, the changing market conditions and the altered value added chains,” added Oliver P. Kuhrt.
74 000 trade visitors came to Cologne, ten per cent more than last year.
The strategy of presenting two equal-status brands and three main fair sectors under the same roof – the International Hardware Fair with the core sectors of tools, security systems and locks + fittings, alongside Practical World with the key sector of building and home improvement/DIY supplies – seems to have met with approval.
A positive assessment of the fair was also made by John W. Herbert, executive director of the BHB: “This year’s fair is good, it is a turning point. If trade and industry stand together in close cooperation we will jointly stage a mega trade fair in 2006.” He expressed his confidence that the DIY multiples will in future encourage even more store managers and heads of departments to visit the fair, since it is particularly important that staff members who communicate directly with consumers should gain hands-on experience of products that require further explanation.
Spotlight on innovations
Altogether 3 677 suppliers from 59 countries displayed their products together with trade and service concepts during the four days of the event; 78 per cent of the exhibitors came to Cologne from abroad. The suppliers occupied 255 000 m² of the exhibition site’s gross area of 280 000 m².
Suppliers in the tools show, the biggest section with a gross exhibition area of 120 000 m² and about 1 900 participants, claim to have profited from the high internationality and professional qualification of the visitors. In particular the purchasing decision-makers from the fast-growing DIY and home improvement sector ensured significant sales impulses.
The tools show, traditionaly the biggest sector, was made up of 1 900 suppliers.
The exhibitors in the sector covering security systems and locks + fittings were to a great extent satisfied with the visitor frequency on their stands. With an eye on the economic situation, many of the more than 400 companies exhibiting in this sector put customer care at the top of their list of priorities.
Practical World brought together the product offer of around 1 350 suppliers of building and DIY products. This segment reflects the trend towards “homing” (previously known as “cocooning”), i.e. towards shifting leisure activities into your own home for the pleasure of furnishing and improving it yourself in an economical way.
Acceptance of two-year cycle
The fair offered a platform for cultivating relationships and for opening up new contacts with interested parties from Europe and overseas, primarily the USA, Canada and the countries of the Middle East. In addition to a range of new products, the focal point of negotiations was often sales-promoting measures with which the industry intends to support the trade. This was already confirmed by the attractive stand design, which provided inspiration for decoration, display and brand cultivation in the stores. Topping the list of visitor objectives were new products: 82 per cent of the visitors surveyed by Koelnmesse mentioned information about innovative products as the main reason for their trip to Cologne. 79 per cent wanted to use their visit to the fair for observing the market and comparing ranges, 77 per cent for cultivating existing business relationships, and 73 per cent for opening up new contacts. What is more, 88 per cent intend to attend the next International Hardware Fair/Practical World in Cologne from 5 to 8 March 2006 – and 72 per cent of the trade visitors surveyed welcome the new two-year cycle.
