Samsung study: Interior decoration is becoming more important

The trend is more towards the dream flat than the dream dress – this is how Samsung Europe sums up the result of its Europe-wide study "Decentralised Living" on the topic of "Living Trends in the New Normal". Almost 11,000 adults between 16 and 75 were asked in November how the pandemic had affected their lifestyle, and 37% stated that the appearance of their home was more important to them today than before the pandemic. In Germany, people who have money to spare for purchases are six times more likely to spend it on furnishings or home entertainment than on fine clothing or accessories. They prefer "nesting chic" to "dressing chic".

High Point Market postponed from April to June

The international furniture trade fair High Point Market was originally scheduled to take place from 17 to 21 April 2021, but now the organisers have postponed the event to 5 to 9 June. At this later date, they say, vaccination against Covid-19 would have progressed much further. High Point Market takes place twice a year in High Point, North Carolina: in spring and in autumn.

Pantone colours 2021: calm grey and cheerful yellow

The Pantone colour of the year 2021 actually comes as a pair: Ultimate Gray (PANTONE 17-5104) and Illuminating (PANTONE 13-0647). Ultimate Gray, a subtle pebble grey, is intended to convey consistency and serenity. As a bright and cheerful yellow, Illuminating brings liveliness and sunny warmth into play. And what with social distancing, staying at home and the lack of physical contact, colours that convey security, hope and joie de vivre will do us good.

Digital Rug Market: Discover new products and collections

Carpet! Magazine is breaking new ground with Digital Rug Market. This format combines the advantages of the printed trade magazine Carpet! Magazine with the possibilities offered by a digital platform.

The core of Digital Rug Market is the English-language online platform. Here, from 18 January to 8 February 2021, participating companies can present a selection of new products and collections in detail and in a multimedial format. Parallel to this, these new products will be shown in the printed edition of Carpet! Magazine I/2021 – in illustrated articles, as part of our products section.

Rescue plan for Deutsche Messe AG agreed

Insolvency was looming over Deutsche Messe AG, now it seems to have been averted, as reported by NDR. On the night of Wednesday, 9 December, management and employee representatives agreed on a concept to save the ailing trade fair operator: a guarantee of EUR 120 to 130 million was agreed on, plus a capital injection of EUR 20 million. The number of employees is to be reduced from 738 to 525; from 2022 a four-day week without wage compensation is to be introduced.

For 2020, Deutsche Messe AG expects a minus of EUR 103 million with a turnover of EUR 95 million (turnover 2019: just under EUR 350 million).

Tom Tailor furnishing collection: live in Hamburg and online

Tom Tailor is showing its complete home furnishing collection for the first time at its headquarters in Hamburg. On 600 m2 lamps, furniture, carpets and co. have been arranged to create various interior scenarios, sometimes in a natural look, sometimes in vivid colours, sometimes entirely in blue or yellow. The topic of sustainability also plays an increasingly important role. The exhibition runs from 1 to 18 December and can be viewed either directly on site or online via video conference. All rugs are by Theo Keller.

Virtual India Carpet Expo in January

The Indian Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) announces the 41st India Carpet Expo – Mega Virtual Exhibition, which is to take place online from 27 to 31 January 2021 on www.indiacarpetexpo.com. Manufacturers and exporters from India's key carpet producing areas (Agra, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Varanasi etc.) will be showing handmade carpets and rugs, durries and other floor coverings. There will be company and product videos, AI-driven matchmaking, web seminars and online chats. All participants are requested to register online.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and, consequently, the travel restrictions all over the globe, the CEPC organises virtual exhibitions as alternatives to the physical fairs. The last one (40th India Carpet Expo in autumn) was a "grand success", according to CEPC-Chairman Siddh Nath Singh. (EDIT: The fair dates have been changed, formerly 12 to 16 January, now 27 to 31 January)

Wayfair closes its only stand-alone store

Wayfair's first and only stand-alone store in Natick, Massachusetts, is being closed down again. The Boston-based online seller of interior decoration products opened the bricks-and-mortar store in 2019 on a space of just under 350 m2. According to Wayfair-spokeswoman Jane Carpenter, it was a great challenge to display a representative selection of the company's products in such a comparatively small area.

Ikea discontinues printed catalogue

Ikea says CU to its printed catalogue, discontinuing the popular furnishing inspiration book after 70 years. The company cites the changed, strongly digitally-oriented purchasing behaviour of Ikea customers as the main reason for this decision. "We have noticed a decreasing demand of the catalogue in many countries, people use it less and less", Ikea's CEO Jesper Brodin explained to the daily newspaper "Welt" in an interview. Instead, consumers tended to seek inspiration and information online, and that is precisely where Ikea now wants to distribute its content more widely, also with the help of apps and planning tools.

Möbel Boss opening in Viersen

Just before Christmas, on 14 December, the 106th Möbel-Boss store is opening in Viersen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The self-service furniture store is moving into part of the former premises of Möbel Klinkhamels (closed down in early 2020); upholstery specialist Möbel Trösser has moved into the other part. Möbel Boss belongs to the Porta Group; Michael Loy will be store manager in Viersen.