Otto: demand for Home & Living products up by 55%

Hamburg-based mail-order company Otto reports record Christmas sales: never before have so many people ordered from otto.de as at the end of 2020. In the period under review (1 October to 31 December), demand rose by 55% in the Home & Living segment compared to 2019, and by as much as 66% in the Garden & DIY segment.

Domotex 2021 canceled

After being postponed to 18-20 May, Domotex will not be held as a physical trade show this year. The current worldwide infection in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic makes reliable planning for a physical presence on site in Hanover at the world's leading trade fair for rugs, carpets and floor coverings impossible at the moment, report the organizers in a press release. Instead, the Domotex Digital Day will take place on May 20, which is intended to address current industry topics purely digitally.

Vandewiele acquires Savio

Vandewiele, the Belgian specialist in machines for yarn extrusion and carpet production, has reached an agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the Savio Group. Savio is an important Italian corporate group in the yarn finishing sector with factories in Italy, China, India, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland.

India Carpet Expo: rescheduled to end of January

The online edition of the carpet fair India Carpet Expo (ICE) will not take place from 12 to 16 January as initially planned, but from 27 to 31 January 2021 at www.indiacarpetexpo.com.

Trend presentation for retailers in February

Presenting new trends together: Following this principle, entrepreneurs from the lifestyle & interior sectors have joined forces to organise the Corona-compliant trade event "Trends up West" in North Rhine-Westphalia. From 6 to 14 February, around 30 suppliers will show trade visitors their trends and products for 2021.

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).