26.01.2026
Sonia Wedell-Castellano to leave Deutsche Messe
Sonia Wedell-Castellano, who has served as Global Director of Domotex since 2018, is leaving Deutsche Messe at her own request at the end of January 2026. According to the company, she is moving on to pursue new professional challenges. A successor for the position of Global Director has not yet been named.
26.01.2026
Victoria: Steve Callaghan to support turnaround
The British group Victoria has appointed Steve Callaghan as Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director. In this primarily advisory board role, the turnaround specialist is expected to drive future growth. The group is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of textile floor coverings
26.01.2026
Germany: 15 new Obi stores by June 2026
The German DIY market leader Obi plans to open 15 new locations across Germany in the first half of 2026. All stores will be operated by franchise partners, with the majority being rebranded from existing sites during ongoing operations.
26.01.2026
Hellweg continues store closures
DIY retailer Hellweg is reducing its branch network in Germany and Austria. According to media reports, ten locations were closed by November 2025, with a further six branches scheduled to shut by February 2026. Official figures regarding the current number of stores are contradictory, and the company has yet to comment on the discrepancies in its online location map.
26.01.2026
German E-commerce: Home textiles see above-average growth
The German e-commerce sector recorded consistent sales growth across all quarters in 2025 for the first time in four years. According to the industry association BEVH, gross sales in domestic online retail rose by a total of 3.2% to EUR 83.15 billion. The interior design segment performed particularly well, growing by 4.2% and thereby exceeding the market average.
26.01.2026
McCoy Jones Collection at de Young Museum
The de Young Museum in San Francisco is presenting a high-calibre selection from the McCoy Jones Collection, focusing on textiles from Central Asia and the Middle East, until 24 May 2026. The exhibition features significant rugs and embroideries that offer deep insights into the nomadic and tribal craftsmanship of these regions. On 21 February 2026, the programme will be supplemented by a lecture by curator Talia Spielholz, exploring the provenance and significance of the collection.
26.01.2026
Möbel Kempf to Close Cash-and-Carry Stores
Möbel Kempf has announced that it will close its two cash-and-carry outlets, Mobile Wohnspass in Egelsbach and Sulzbach, over the course of 2026. In return, a compact area dedicated to trend-led entry-level living will be integrated into the company’s main store in Aschaffenburg, which is currently undergoing refurbishment.
14.01.2026
Galerie Kelim: Textile Art Symposium in May
From 22 to 24 May 2026, Galerie Kelim in Würzburg will host a symposium dedicated to textile art and nomadic weavings. The programme will feature specialist lectures, in-depth discussions and the established “Show and Tell” format, in which participants present and discuss pieces from their own collections. One confirmed lecture by Stefan Schulz will focus on Coptic textiles, examining their relationship to the Nile as well as to ancient mythology and biblical narratives.
09.01.2026
Domotex Asia 2026: Central Hub for Asia-Pacific
From 27 to 29 May 2026, Domotex Asia/Chinafloor in Shanghai will reinforce its position as the region's premier industry platform. Two halls are dedicated to textile floor coverings, ranging from rugs to contract carpeting. Renowned exhibitors such as Paulig and Ragolle will showcase both handmade and machine-made innovations. The offering is supported by the entire supply chain, including yarns and machinery.08.01.2026
Rippon Boswell Auction Calendar for 2026
The Wiesbaden-based auction house Rippon Boswell & Co. has announced its auction dates for 2026. The auction year will open with a digital format: an online auction scheduled for March 14, 2026. This format has become well established in recent years. The traditional highlights, however, remain the live auctions at the company’s premises in Wiesbaden. The spring auction is set for June 6, 2026, followed by the autumn auction on November 21, 2026.
