Heimtextil 2026 Introduces New Hall Layout for Further Growth

For its upcoming 2026 edition, Heimtextil is implementing a new hall layout. The Carpets & Rugs segment, which saw a significant increase in exhibitors in 2025, will be given more space to expand in halls 11.0 and 12.0. Additionally, the segment will be complemented by the newly introduced Flooring & Equipment area, bringing together textile and non-textile flooring solutions.

Kika/Leiner: Austrian Furniture Retailer Ceases Operations

After 115 years, the history of Kika/Leiner has come to an end. On 29 January 2025, the last 17 stores closed their doors for good, leaving around 1,350 employees without a job. Founded in 1910 by Rudolf Leiner in St. Pölten, the company shaped the Austrian furniture retail sector for decades. However, in recent years, the chain faced increasing financial difficulties.

Heimtextil: Expanding to Include All Types of Flooring from 2026

The Heimtextil trade fair in Frankfurt is expanding its portfolio with a new, non-textile product segment. Starting in 2026, elastic floor coverings, design flooring, cork flooring, laminate, parquet, wooden floors, and outdoor coverings will be invited to participate in the event. “Non-textile floor coverings are an ideal addition to the existing product range offered at Heimtextil and appeal to new target groups, such as the specialised floor-covering retail. Thanks to the direct link to Carpets & Rugs, the industry also benefits from efficient synergies between product segments and numerous new contacts,” says Heimtextil Director Margit Herberth.

Heimtextil 2025: Increase in Visitors and Successful Carpet Showcase

The Heimtextil 2025 concluded with packed exhibition halls, participants from 142 nations, a significant increase in exhibitors and visitors, and high satisfaction ratings. Over 50,000 trade visitors attended the four-day event, exploring the latest collections, materials, and textile solutions for interior design, presented by more than 3,000 exhibitors.The Carpets & Rugs section spanned three hall levels, showcasing a wide range of products from international suppliers, including both machine-made and handmade carpets. Its seamless integration into the overall fair offering appealed to trade visitors from various fields of textile interior design.

CFE 2025 Trade Fair Achieves Record Participation

The Carpet and Flooring Expo (CFE) 2025, held from 7 to 10 January at the Istanbul Fair Centre, achieved record highs in exhibitor and visitor numbers. In its second edition, the event hosted over 500 exhibitors – roughly double the number from its debut. With a total of 35,940 trade visitors, including 27,664 domestic attendees and 8,276 international visitors from 103 countries, the fair recorded an impressive 70% increase in attendance compared to the previous year.

Golze 1873: The Next Generation

Since January 2025, Constantin Golze (29), the eldest son of Ekkehart Golze, has been serving in the newly created role of New Business Development Manager at the full-range supplier Golze 1873. Ekkehart Golze continues to support the business as a member of the advisory board and shareholder.

Bharat Tex 2025: India’s Largest Trade Fair for the Textile Sector

Bharat Tex 2025, India’s largest trade fair for the textile industry, will take place from 12 to 17 February 2025 in New Delhi. The event showcases the extensive capabilities of the country’s textile sector, highlights India’s innovation strength, and underscores its significance for the global textile industry. Covering an exhibition area of approximately 204,000 square metres, the event has already attracted over 5,000 exhibitors. Visitors from more than 110 countries are expected to attend, including around 6,000 international buyers.

Wayfair Exits German Market

The US-based online furniture retailer Wayfair has announced its withdrawal from the German market after 15 years and plans to cut approximately 730 jobs globally – around three per cent of its workforce. This decision is part of a strategic realignment, focusing on other growth areas and the brick-and-mortar retail sector.

Thierry Leys appointed Managing Director of Leen Bakker Belgium

Leen Bakker, a retail chain with over 150 stores in Belgium and the Netherlands, has appointed Thierry Leys as its new Managing Director for Belgium. He will take up the role in January. Leen Bakker is part of the Homefashion Group, led by CEO Linda Keijzer, which employs over 4,200 people.

Restructuring at Balta

The British Victoria Group has provided an update on its efficiency and cost reduction programme. Fixed costs have already been reduced by £12 million (€14.5 million) by the middle of the 2024/25 financial year. An additional £20 million is expected to be saved in the second half of the year, partly through restructuring measures at its subsidiary Balta. By the end of the 2026/27 financial year, the flooring manufacturer aims to achieve total savings of over £80 million.