CIFF Guangzhou 2022: Strengths of a new development model

In 2021, China’s GDP increased by 8.1% compared to the previous year, exceeding 110 trillion yuan (over €15 trillion). This economic growth demonstrates the potential of the Chinese economy and its resilience in a world turned upside down by the pandemic.

In this context, China International Furniture Fair (CIFF) Guangzhou presents itself as a point of reference in the furniture sector, stimulating companies and the entire industry to build and share opportunities in a “dual circulation” development and giving life to a rapidly growing model, in contrast to the international trade fair sector.

Based on the new “Design Trend, Global Trade, Full Supply Chain, All in CIFF” positioning, CIFF Guangzhou brings together the structural reforms of the exhibition offer and creates a profitable synergy between the Chinese national market and the international one to offer new business opportunities to the protagonists of the sector.

In particular, there are 4 strengths underlying CIFF’s position in the furniture trade fair sector:

  1. Evolution of domestic market: According to the Centre for Industrial Studies (CSIL) based in Italy, in 2021 not only did furniture production in China grow by 18% and domestic consumption by 12% compared to 2020, but furniture imports have also increased by 12%, for a total value of approximately US$2 billion. The 33% increase in exports of high-end Italian furniture to China testifies to the demand for top-quality products.

    CIFF Guangzhou has undertaken the strategy of expanding domestic demand: in 2021, despite the almost total absence of foreign operators due to pandemic restrictions, it recorded an increase of more than 20% in visitors compared to the 2019 pre-COVID edition. The next 49th CIFF Guangzhou will be an occasion for many exhibitors to present new concepts and new trends in line with the new demands of the market. The vitality and strategic importance of CIFF is also demonstrated by the presence of 166 important Chinese brands that have not participated in the trade fair in the last five years.
  2. Original design: Expectations and requests for good design are essential to support the evolution of consumption and the transformation of the industry. Thus, with its new “Design Trend, Global Trade, Full Supply Chain, All in CIFF” positioning, 49th CIFF Guangzhou 2022 will put original design at the centre of attention, bringing vitality to the entire sector.

    For instance, the CIFF Contemporary Chinese Furniture Design Fair “Design Spring” will bring together more than 80 design brands characterised by aesthetics, culture, design and art, as well as hundreds of designers, artists and curators.
  3. New trade fair development model: CIFF Guangzhou will promote a new trade fair development model, contributing to the development of smart consumption, organising events dedicated to the promotion of products for the smart home, smart sleep, smart office, and other. It will also pay attention to improving the quality of life, giving more and more importance to emerging sectors such as medical assistance, assistance for the elderly, school furniture, and more.

    CIFF Guangzhou will boost the entire sector by creating new channels and commercial relationships, in particular by enhancing B2B meetings, both offline and online and e-commerce, and thus consolidating the competitive advantages even in international markets.
  4. Collaboration between trade fair and exhibition: As of March 2018, China Foreign Trade Guangzhou Exhibition has collaborated with Red Star Macalline, a furniture distributor in China. The collaboration between the exhibition structure and commercial structure promotes the coordinated development of companies, integrates and optimises resources, thus creating a complete promotional circuit for producers and retailers, and above all, offering an ideal service to customers.