FRANKFURT, Germany–In a chilly—both economical and meteorological—climate—Heimtextil 2009 opened here today.
The fair, still the largest home textiles show in the world, has, for most American customers, evolved into a sourcing event, a chance to meet and find Asian suppliers. More than 900 exhibitors, almost a third of the total, were from China, India and Pakistan.
The mood on the opening morning of the show was subdued with even Messe Frankfurt officials, representing the fair organizers, predicting a “negative prognosis” for 2009.
While some 44 U.S. companies, including West Point Home, were exhibiting, the ranks of American retailers were sparse.
Several European exhibitors said they were hoping that the recent rise in the value of the U.S. dollar would make their products more competitive in the marketplace.
