IMM Cologne 2026: A Radical Pivot to Pure B2B Sourcing

The recent IMM Cologne (January 20–23, 2026) marked a decisive departure from the traditional furniture fair format of previous years. Following its strategic realignment, the event has transformed from a classic design showcase into a focused B2B sourcing platform. With high-end design brands largely absent and the focus shifting to the entry-level and mid-range price segments, the international presence dominated the fairgrounds. Out of a total of 339 exhibitors from 28 countries, the vast majority—252 companies—hailed from China.

German manufacturers were notably scarce at this year's IMM Cologne. Instead, the exhibition space was characterized by national pavilions from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Japan, Romania, Taiwan, and Turkey, which bundled their respective brands under collective displays. Matthias Pollmann, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse, emphasized that this new "B2B sourcing stage" was designed to provide efficiency for professional buyers in a challenging market environment. Despite the significantly downsized format, the concept attracted approximately 10,000 trade visitors, primarily key decision-makers from retail chains, buying groups, and e-commerce platforms across Europe.

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